Home Can Be A Person

by Miraculous Mumma (Andromedanewton)

Summary:

The war is over, the Paladins are returning to Earth after a multi-galaxy tour to spread the word of their victory over the Galra Empire, and two Paladins are still in denial of their feelings. Not for the other, but that it may be reciprocated. A catalogue of miscommunication leads the garrison to believe Keith and Pidge are already a couple, putting them in an awkward position. Meanwhile, the Garrison have assigned each Paladin an envoy to aid them any way they can, enter Liliana Cooper, a shy girl who catches the eye of a certain Paladin.

Notes:

Hi all!

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting some of this one! I've been working on it on and off since my vacay and it's the one that I've been working on with my daughter, Rhi-Rhi. I'm splitting my time between this and my Miraculous fic, Family Ties and Chartreuse Eyes, so bear with me while I do that!

Obviously as it says, the characters are older, let's say they were in space longer, aged up a bit more, it'll explain the difference in the first chapter.

Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 1: Heading Home

The war was over.

The battle for Earth had been hard fought and even harder won, with many casualties and injuries, including the Paladins of Voltron.  As they recovered, members of the coalition arrived, word of their victory and the return of Voltron reaching the furthest solar system, sending aid to Earth and to help them rebuild.

As part of the celebrations, and they were to be widespread, Voltron would visit each galaxy, putting in an appearance and helping with all the political rigamarole that went hand in hand, but they would start with Earth.  Having taken the least damage, The Galaxy Garrison stood as a beacon of hope, the centre where Earth’s homegrown heroes had trained, and the surviving world leaders were converging, coming to help in the celebrations of hope.  Once the bulk of the cleanup was complete Voltron set off on its diplomatic tour.  The garrison had provided them with a small crew and cruiser big enough to transport them and the Lions in relative comfort.  It was a straightforward and easy trip, returning them to the Milky Way not long after.  The garrison promised a week of events on their return and each Paladin had been informed they would be assigned an envoy, who’s mission it was to aid them in any way they could during the duration.

Pidge wasn’t so keen on the idea.  She just wanted to go home and spend time with her family, knowing Matt was already there, but protocol was protocol and she had to suck it up.  At least there would be a get together with the families of the Paladins and she planned on making Keith an honorary Holt for the duration, so he had someone to claim him and wasn’t alone.  Not that she had an ulterior motive, no, she was just being nice, very nice, as nice as she could be.  Pidge may have been harbouring feelings for the half Galran on their team, something she had tried to push aside as a crush, having realised after he came to her rescue during a particularly bloody battle, carrying her injured form off the battlefield bridal style, that had made her heart pound and her body do things that she had only ever experienced alone.  The realisation that she liked Keith had hit her harder than the blast that took her down, and all she could do was curl up in his arms and hold on as he raced her back to Green.  That was the turning point, that was when she noticed the little things he did, the way he spoke, the way he moved, every little thing.  She was certain if she had a journal she would have been jotting their initials in little hearts along the margins, but she didn’t and she didn’t want anyone to know, least of all the man himself.  Which was why she now found herself outside his allotted quarters on the cruiser.  She wanted him to know he wouldn’t be alone once they got to Earth, that she was happy to offer him a place at her side, even if he didn’t know her full motivation.  She had never given him reason to believe she thought of him as anything more than just a friend, and why would he?  Keith was her friend and she’d rather have that than nothing.

She ran a hand through her hair, still messy and shorter than when Matt and her father had left for their mission, reaching her shoulders and finally long enough to tie up if she needed to, and hoped she looked presentable.  Her green and white sweater had long since given up the ghost, along with Matt’s glasses, suffering a fatal tear when she got the sleeve caught inside Green, and instead she wore an overlong green hooded cardigan over a white tank top, black skinny pants, and black combat boots tied with green laces she had acquired on their travels.  She was comfortable but it reminded everyone she was no longer a girl but a woman, twenty-one and with more life experience than most people twice her age.  She didn’t care what anyone else thought, as long as they left her alone, other than Keith of course.

She pressed the buzzer beside the door and the sound of movement came from within, the door sliding open to reveal Keith in black pants and t-shirt, his feet bare.  He smiled warmly at her, resting his hand on the side of the door with his arm outstretched.

‘What can I do for you, Pidge?’

She realised his hair was damp and assumed she had just missed him taking a shower, and the thought made her pause for a moment as she tried to mentally regroup and find her voice, clearing her throat to see if it would help.  ‘Keith, right, I just wanted to let you know that I put your name down with mine to have my folks as family, for when we get back to Earth, because you shouldn’t have to be alone, even in a roomful of people.  And you know all of my family, there’s enough of us to go around, and they all like you, so yeah, I thought, if you wanted to, just be a Holt for the week.’

His smile broadened as she rambled on, gazing at her as her cheeks flushed and her hand automatically went up to adjust the glasses she no longer wore.  Dammit, she was adorable.  Keith had spent the last two years ignoring his feelings for the youngest Paladin, or at least he had tried to.  She was so smart, fearless, beautiful, how could he not have fallen in love with her?  He was amazed that no one else saw it, that no one else had made a move on her, because she was well deserving of the attention, but that wasn’t Pidge, she wasn’t one to be won over by pretty words just because.  He wasn’t sure what she looked for in a man, if anything, but he knew that whoever she fell for would be the luckiest person in any of the galaxies they had travelled.

‘You didn’t need to do that, but I appreciate it.’

She shrugged, her cheeks pinking further.  ‘Well, you know, you’re not bad to hang out with, and this way we might be able to help one another out.  You know I hate these fancy gatherings and tend to technobabble if I’m given half the chance.  Maybe I can adopt you and you can stop me from rambling.’

‘But you do it so well.’  He smirked as he leant against the frame and folded his arms.

‘Shut up.’  She punched him in the arm, flustered by such a simple non-compliment, but it was because it was from him and she knew it.  ‘So, is that a yes?  You’re happy being an honorary Holt for the festivities?’

‘I can’t think of anything better.’

‘Good.  Great!’  She said, nervously running her zipper up and down for something to do with her hands.

‘Good.’  He repeated, his mind working quickly as he tried to figure out some way to spend more time with her.  ‘Uh, I was going to get some lunch, do you want to join me?  Maybe you can show me what it’s like to be a Holt.’

‘It’s not that different from being a Paladin, really.’  She shrugged.  ‘We tease each other, we support each other, only there’s more good food involved.  A lot of pasta, not that Hunk’s cooking is bad, but my mom’s is awesome.’

‘That’s a no to lunch?’  He asked, voicing his confusion.

‘No!  Sorry, no!’  She said quickly.  ‘I love lunch, I mean I’d love to eat you, eat lunch with you!’  She groaned.  ‘I didn’t sleep great last night, sorry.’

Keith cleared his throat at the vivid image that sentence put in his mind, unable to speak for a moment.  ‘You want to step inside while I get my boots and jacket?’

‘Sure, I can step in.’  She smiled as he edged back and allowed her entry, the door closing behind her.

‘Are you looking forward to going home?’  Keith asked as he grabbed his socks from the bunk and offered her his swivel chair that his jacket sat on the back of.

‘I think so.’  She swung her legs, her hands on the armrests as she looked at her lap.

‘You’re not sure?’  He asked in surprise as he sat on the bunk close to her.

‘I’m sure I’m looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad and Matt, but I don’t know that Earth feels like home anymore, you know?  We’ve been out here so long it’s going to be weird not to be living with you.’

‘With me?’  He asked hesitantly and she looked up, realising what she had said.

‘I mean you, yeah, and the other Paladins and Lions, you’re my family.  My space family.’  She grinned and he found it contagious, pausing before putting on his other sock to admire how her eyes lit up.  ‘I’ve missed my Earth family but it’s going to be weird, a good weird, but still.  Weird.’

‘I never really had an Earth family, not for a long time, other than Shiro of course.’  He said as he resumed getting ready.  ‘But I think you nailed it.  We’re a space family.  I’m just glad the garrison have agreed to put us all up together in the barracks, because not seeing you for a while would be hard.’

‘Us as in space family.’  She nodded, assuming that was what he meant.

‘Space family, even Lance, to a degree, but you especially.’

‘Really?’  She said, her voice full of hopeful surprise.

‘Really.  You’re still the best partner for games, you come up with the best ideas, and you like the same snacks as me.  Who else would watch all the ridiculous so-called horror movies from other planets with me?’

‘It’s true, and no one else would surreptitiously hold your hand under a blanket when you get scared.’  She teased.

He kicked the edge of her chair, setting her spinning before slipping on his boots.  ‘Hey, we both get benefits from that.’

‘Not denying that, Kogane, but you did it first.’  She grinned as she came a full circle to face him again.

He stood and leant into her, his hand beside her thigh on the seat, and she had a moment where her breath caught, uncertain of what he was going to do, but then he grabbed his jacket and stood up straight again.  ‘Cheeky pigeon.’

‘Hey!  Only Matt gets to call me that!’  She argued as he pulled on the jacket with a small laugh.

‘So what are you going to do about it, Katie?’  He drew her name out exaggeratedly with a smirk on his face she wanted to wipe off, preferably with a kiss, but failing that…she jumped out of the chair and knocked him onto the bunk on his back.  ‘Oh, you’d better run!’  He said as he pushed himself upright, but she was already hitting the door open and bolting down the corridor.

She knew she couldn’t beat him, he had her on speed alone, but she was hoping she could reach the galley before he did and maybe find some cover, or at least put something between them, preferably Hunk.

‘Get back here!’  Keith yelled as he rounded the corner behind her, but all she could do was laugh.

‘In your dreams, hotshot!’  She swung herself into the galley and leapt to try and clear the back of one of the couches, but she wasn’t fast enough, and she felt Keith’s arm snake around her waist as his chest hit her back.  He hauled her feet off the floor and continued the motion she had begun, rolling them both over the couch where Keith landed on his back, Pidge on top of him, and she scrambled around in his loose grip, grabbing his wrists and putting all her weight into holding them above his head.

‘I win!’  She grinned, proud to have got the upper hand, but it didn’t last long.

‘In your green dreams.’  Keith spun them so quickly Pidge barely had time to squeak out a yelp before her back hit the floor, this time Keith straddling her, her hands pinned beside her head.  ‘You were saying?’

‘No fair, you’re a lot stronger than me!’  She argued as she tried, and failed, to push his hands off her.

‘Don’t start what you can’t finish.’  He smiled down at her.  She looked adorable with her hair strewn out around her, her eyes alight with laughter and an edge of anger that was a heady combination for Keith.  He loved the passion that burned inside her, whether it be for technology or her family, she found new things to marvel at every day.  She was contagious and he feared he had come down with a terminal case.  Her lips were parted as she gasped for breath after their chase, and he had to admit they were tempting, bent over her as he was, but he knew if he did this, if he did what his heart desired, it may be the worst thing ever.  He knew pain, he knew rejection, and loss, and he didn’t want to lose her by being foolish and pushing her away, but he also didn’t want to miss what could be their chance.  The war was over, they no longer had to live and travel together, unless he gave her a reason to.

Pidge looked up into Keith’s lilac eyes as he studied her hard enough he could have passed a test.  His cheeks were flushed, it had to be from the run, but he was getting infinitesimally closer and she didn’t know what to think.  Her heart was hammering in her throat, her stomach butterflying with excitement and nerves, but she didn’t dare move.

Keith released one of her hands to cup her cheek, the other hand slipping up to lace their fingers, and in that instant their position changed to something far more intimate.

‘Katie.’  He murmured, the word barely audible, but she closed her eyes as she felt his breath on her lips.

‘God, get a room, you two.’  Lance pretended to retch as he came across the room to the food stations.

The two Paladins on the floor jumped simultaneously, Keith getting off Pidge and offering her a hand up.

‘We were play-fighting.’  Keith said defensively.  ‘I owed her one.’

‘Yeah, but one what?’  Lance wiggled his eyebrows at them before going about fetching the food he came in for.

‘You’re gross.’  Pidge walked over and punched him in the arm.  ‘And don’t just leave the bread crusts this time, you heathen, I know it was you.’

‘You can’t prove anything.’  Lance winked at her even as he placed two pieces of bread on his plate from the centre of the loaf.

‘You lying piece of crap!’  She laughed.  ‘I can see you doing it!’

‘Doing what?’  He asked, taking another piece with a smug grin.

‘Keith!  Back me up!’  She glanced over her shoulder to where he was coming towards them.

‘Lance, you gotta stop, Pidge hates crusts.’  Keith said as he reached them.

Pidge blinked, not having realised Keith knew that little fact about her, but Lance didn’t miss a beat.

‘Been watching her eat, mullet?  That’s kinda stalkery.’

‘I’m observant, you’re selfish, there’s a difference.’  Keith replied without pause.  ‘Stop taking all the centre of the bread.’

‘What, so your girlfriend can?’  Lance snorted.

‘Alright, that’s enough!’  Pidge snatched the plate from Lance and quickly licked each piece of bread and handed it back to him.  ‘Enjoy.’

‘That’s gross!’  Lance pulled a face.  ‘Fine, it’s yours.’  He thrust the plate at her then took another and one crust and one centre piece.  ‘Happy?’

‘Sure.’  Pidge grinned at her win while Lance shook his head and walked over to the next food station.

‘Good win.’  Keith said quietly as he offered her his fist for her to bump.

‘Thanks.’  She returned the gesture.  ‘You really noticed I don’t like crusts?’

‘Kind of hard not to, the cute way you try and slice off every piece before you even start, but you leave a frame perfectly as though the mice have been at it from the inside out.’

She snorted a laugh.  ‘Please, I am not cute.’

‘Do you even know you?’  He chuckled.  ‘I could list ten things off the top of my head that you do that’s cute without even having to think about it.’

‘Seriously, get a room, or I’ll lock you in one.’  Lance called over from where he was now constructing the tallest sandwich Pidge thought she had ever seen outside of cartoons, the crust displayed proudly on the top.  ‘Because all that talk is almost nauseating enough to put me off my food.’

‘You’re just jealous.’  Pidge replied as she and Keith headed over to the next station.

‘What is there for me to be jealous of?’

‘I got the good bread.’  She stuck her tongue out at him.

Lance made a dismissive noise.  ‘It’s not that great.’

‘Crusts are dry and don’t really curl your hair like my mom always told me.’  Pidge replied.  ‘They taste like lies too.’

‘Okay, crusts aren’t as good as the centre, but not really enough to call someone cute.  You have to up your game, Keith.’  Lance said challengingly.

Keith narrowed his eyes at him, knowing full well what he was doing.  This wasn’t the first time he had insinuated he knew, or at least thought he knew, about Keith’s feelings for Pidge.  ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

‘You can’t just say a girl cuts bread cute and claim you think other things she does is cute without proof.  Get with the list.’

‘He doesn’t need to do that.’  Pidge mumbled, her eyes fixed heavily on the food she was putting on her plate.

‘No, but he should.’  Lance took a bite of his food.  ‘Prove it or it looks like a lie.’

‘Jesus.’  Keith rolled his eyes.  ‘Things that Pidge does that are cute?’

‘Ten, like you said.’

‘Oh God.’  Pidge groaned as she edged around the display of food.

‘Okay, first off, how pink she goes when she’s getting complimented about anything but her computer skills, because that she shows off willingly, and with good reason, she gets so excited that that’s cute too.’

‘Still, only counts as one.’  Lance interrupted.

‘Fine.’  Keith put his plate down and glanced at where Pidge had hunched her shoulders as though her hoodie might be able to swallow her up.  ‘The way she still tries to adjust her glasses, even though they’ve been broken for over a year now.’

‘That’s two.’

‘When she’s working on something tough she bites her top lip with her teeth, but when it’s something like a game, she bites her bottom lip.’

Lance snorted a laugh, Keith had definitely been watching her closely to notice that difference.

‘She wriggles her nose at the mice from across the room and they wriggle theirs back.’

‘Okay, enough.’  Pidge interrupted, her face scarlet as she pushed past them.

‘She hates being the centre of attention.’

Pidge deliberately stepped on Keith’s foot.  ‘I said enough.’

‘No fair, we only got to five.’  Lance complained and she shot him a glare.

‘If you want to carry this on, you can do it without me.’  She started towards the door and it was Keith’s turn to give Lance a look that showed just how unhappy he was.

‘Wait, you don’t even know why I came down here.’  Lance called and she stopped and turned back to face them.

‘You came to fill your face.’

‘Actually, I was looking for the two of you, I just got distracted by the food.’  He smirked.  ‘They advanced us the list of names for our envoys when we get home.’

‘And?’

‘And you should go see who you got.’

‘Obviously someone awful.’  Pidge groaned.  ‘They wouldn’t be cruel enough to give me Iverson, right?’

‘Not someone that awful.’

‘Who did you get?’  Keith asked him.

‘Some English woman.  Liliana Cooper.  Probably some stuffy professor.’

Pidge shrugged.  ‘I’ll see who I got once I’ve eaten.’  And she turned and left again, assuming if she stayed they would just continue to tease her.

‘Nice going, you scared her off.’  Lance remarked as Keith quickly threw some more food on his plate and headed after her.

‘I think that was you.’

‘Word of advice.’  Lance called after him.  ‘If you’re going to make a move on her do it soon.  There’ll be too much going on once we get to Earth.’

‘When I want your advice, I’ll ask for it.’  Keith called back as he headed into the corridor, certain he knew where she was heading.

‘Should have left him to kiss her on the floor.’  Lance muttered, before going back to the first station and, taking another piece of bread from the centre, he threw his crust in the trash.

Chapter 2: Girl...and boy...interrupted

Summary:

Keith catches up with Pidge.

Notes:

Yup, another chapter, as I was about to post on tumblr I thought I'd do so here too! I'm going to bed shortly as I'm exhausted and have a headache so I should be refreshed tomorrow, I hope!

Keith found Pidge seated crosslegged on the upper most level of the observation deck above the bridge.  The view of the stars from here was almost as good as from the cockpit of their Lions and he knew she came here for not only the peace it offered but the view too.

‘Sorry about back in the galley.’  He said as he took a seat beside her, noting she already had the floating screen open on the wrist computer she wore.

‘You don’t need to be.  I know Lance has no filter.  And he’s a bread hog.’  She remarked without looking up from the information running over her screen.

‘I meant for embarrassing you.’  He said as he played with his food.  ‘I didn’t want to do that.’

‘Okay, you’re forgiven, but no more calling me cute.’  She shot him a sideways smile that made his heart melt all the more.

‘If you say so.’  He laughed quietly.

‘I don’t like being called cute.  It’s like a cursed compliment.’

‘A cursed compliment?’  He looked at her in amusement.

‘Sure.’  She shrugged.  ‘A lamb is cute, the mice are cute, the space fuzzies are cute.  When people say; “Pidge is cute!”; it’s normally something like; “oh look, Pidge is cute, her feet can’t reach the floor in that chair” or “Pidge can’t reach the top shelf”.  Derogatory to my size rather than complimentary to me myself.’

Keith nodded his understanding.  ‘So if someone calls you cute because of your size it’s a bad thing, but if I said you were cute because you’re pretty, that would be okay?’

She snorted a laugh after she swallowed the bite she was eating.  ‘That doesn’t happen.’

‘It could.’

‘Not in a million galaxies.’  She waved her hand at the star field above them.

‘It doesn’t need to be a million galaxies, just the one you’re in, and whichever that is, I think you’re pretty cute.’

He wasn’t expecting her to burst out laughing and shove him away.  ‘Quiznak you, Keith!’

‘I wish.’  He muttered without thinking, but she didn’t seem to hear as her display flashed up that whatever it had been doing was done.

‘Here we go.’  She tapped the display a couple of times.

‘What are you working on?’

‘I’m checking who I have as an envoy.  Lance seemed to think it was someone who wasn’t too bad.’

He leant in close to her to look at the display, trying to ignore the fact she smelt of an intoxicating combination of fruity shampoo and grease from where she had spent the morning working with Green.  ‘Who have you got?’

‘Jameson?’  She said with a small frown.

‘You know him?’

‘If it’s the same Edward Jameson from basic training, yeah.  Bit of a fuckboy but got the job done.’

‘Let’s hope he’s matured from fuckboy.’  He held up a piece of fruit from her plate for her to eat as a reminder, and she took it, chewing thoughtfully.

‘Like, matured into a fuckman?’

Keith laughed.  ‘Quiznakman.’

‘Quiznakman!’  Pidge burst out laughing, her head rolling back as what Keith could only describe as the most contagious laugh he had ever heard set him off too.  ‘Quiznakman, the urban legend who lurks around bars and gyms, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting girls who will surely be impressed by how much he can benchpress and what car he drives to compensate for his tiny penis!’

‘Sounds like a new cryptid for the book.’

‘“Sightings of the mythological quiznakman have doubled in recent months, with rumours that the original fuckboys have reached maturity, turning the into the dreaded quiznakmen of legend.”’  Pidge giggled as she did her very best exaggerated news anchor voice.  ‘“Increased activity was reported around spring break in Florida.”’

‘“And around the Galaxy Garrison.”’

They both laughed together for several minutes before resuming eating in a comfortable silence.

‘Who’s my envoy?  Anyone we know?’

‘Let’s see.’  She pressed a few buttons on the floating display, changing the personnel file to his.  ‘Huh.’

‘Huh, what huh?’  He leant in close to her so he could see the screen.  ‘Is it someone bad?’

‘No, it’s Jameson too.  I guess we’re sharing.’

‘Maybe Shiro or Hunk are sharing with Lance?’  Keith replied, turning to look at her and finding her close enough he could count every one of her lashes if he wanted to, every freckle, close enough that one small movement would bring his lips to her cheek, and he swallowed hard.

‘I guess they could be doubling up.’  Pidge commented, flickering a side eyed glance at him and finding him nearer than she had expected.

‘It would make sense.’  Keith spoke softly as she slowly turned to face him, his breath on her skin.

‘A lot of sense.’  Her voice was barely above a whisper as he edged closer, their hair brushing in the lightest of touches.

‘Pidge, are you here?’

Keith closed his eyes and withdrew, mentally groaning at the fact they were constantly being interrupted today when the opportunities seemed to be presenting themselves readily.  Pidge flicked off her wrist display and turned towards the voice of Shiro, coming from the door on the floor below.

‘Up here, Shiro.’  She called.

‘Do you have a minute?  We’ve had some information come through from the garrison I was hoping you could take a look at?’

‘I’ll be right there.’  She offered Keith a small smile, more apology than happy.  ‘I’ll catch you later?’

‘I guarantee it.’  He shot her a finger gun as she got up and left, cringing as soon as she disappeared down the stairs.  ‘Did I seriously just finger gun her?’  He groaned to himself.

Notes:

What did we all think?

Coming next: Lance has a late-night talk with Pidge.

Also: Quiznakman! lol!

Chapter 3: Anxious McClain

Summary:

Lance can't sleep and decides to meddle.

Notes:

Hi everyone!

Another day, another chapter! I have got zero writing done today, it became a tad chaotic! I was expecting someone to come out and check where I was having a walk-in shower fitted, having a new bathroom fitted which is suitable for my accessibility needs but when he got here he was here to start work! I had no idea! So chaos began as my youngest and I had to clear out the bathroom for work to start! There was a lot of other stuff going on too, including my ex being a douchebag, but there's nothing new there! So now my bathroom has no floor and no sink, however is still usable! Wish me luck for the next week!

Lance couldn’t wait to get back to Earth.  Their battle for the planet had been hard and he was looking forward to spending more time with his family; his mom, dad, all his siblings, niece and nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins, more second cousins than he could count, but part of him was worried.  He had been a boy when he left, even at seventeen, he could see that now, see that he thought he knew everything, and it was a long way from the truth.  He had changed, the war had changed him, he had matured; certainly he still flirted and joked around, but his mentality had changed, he thought things through more, considered other people, it was something the team had come to rely on, they all supported one another, but now they were going home.  Home.  Where they had left their families, where the people who once knew them best no longer knew them at all, had no idea what they had gone through, and that was going to be hard.  They had explained to their families and the garrison how they had accidentally been lion-napped and proven themselves worthy of defending every galaxy from here to, well, everywhere, but they didn’t, they couldn’t, understand, and he knew that, but he wanted them too.  He didn’t want his mom guilt tripping him for having literally vanished off the face of the Earth, didn’t want his dad asking him to promise it wouldn’t happen again, because he knew if they were needed then Voltron would step up again, he would step up, without hesitation.  It wasn’t something they could ever understand but he hoped they would at least accept it.  It was a thought that kept him awake at night and he had taken to strolling around the cruiser to try and settle his mind.  Tonight his feet had led him down to the labs, where he could hear Pidge’s fingers tapping on her laptop before he even reached the door.  She still loved the old thing, she had stripped it and replaced the technology so many times it was literally just a shell for an Altean computer now, but she had still personalised it to run on her own operating system, and the clicking of the keys were comforting somehow.

‘Hey, pigeon.’

‘Hey, stupid.’  She replied without glancing up from the screen as her fingers flew across the keys, lines of code appearing not only on the screen before her but on two floating screens she had buddied up to expand her workspace.

‘Aw, don’t be like that.’  He came and leant on the desk opposite her, but she still didn’t glance up.  ‘Lancey Lance just wants to talk.’

‘Lancey Lance is distracting and I want to get this done in the next hour so I can sleep late.  What do you want?’

‘I can’t sleep.’

‘That’s because you’re in my lab.  Try again in your room.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’

She sighed, realising he wasn’t going to leave her alone just yet, and straightened from her hunched position, her hand reaching up for her glasses before remembering and stopping herself.  ‘What’s on your mind, Lancey Lance?’

‘Nothing’s on my mind, what makes you think that?’  He said a little too quickly.

‘The fact you’re up in the middle of the night.  Normally you sleep like the dead, although not the dead on Gzrachnik, because they were still walking around.’

‘Pretty well too.’  He chuckled as he thought back to the planet they had dubbed “world of the living dead”.  ‘But yeah, I guess I do have something.’

‘So hurry up and tell me so I can get back to work.’  She said, continuing typing anyway.

‘Could you at least pay attention to me when I’m about to pour my heart out to you?’  He whined, and she raised her head but kept typing all the same.

‘I can multitask.  Spill.’

He huffed out a breath.  ‘I’m worried about going home.’

‘We’re all worried about going home.’  She replied.  ‘We’re all pleased to be going home, but not necessarily one hundred percent.’

‘You had to bring math into it.’

‘Always.’  Pidge replied.  ‘My assumption is that you’re worried you’ve changed too much for your family to accept you, that you’ve seen more than they could imagine in a hundred lifetimes.  It changes a person and they’re the ones who’ll notice it the most because they think they’re getting their seventeen year old Lance back, not a battle worn twenty-three year old.’

‘That’s it exactly!’  He lurched forward until he was directly above her screen.  ‘How did you know that?’

‘Because I know what my mom will say.  Dad and Matt will have explained that I’ve grown up, but I’m still little Katie to her who disappeared without a trace.  I went missing before we went to space, remember?’

‘Because you enrolled as Pidge Gunderson.’  He said, understanding.  ‘So what was the official story with Katie Holt?’

‘Until we came back there were a few reports that I had run away from home after the trauma of losing my family.  I’d taken my stuff, so why not?  Then it was just a simple case of hacking into the garrison computers and changing Katie Holt to Pidge Gunderson.  And it worked.’

‘What are you going to say to your mom?’

She sighed and sat back in her chair, finally taking her fingers off the keys.  ‘That I’m sorry, that I did what I had to do to find the truth.  I did what I set out to do, I just got involved in something bigger along the way.  And hope she understands that.  When it comes down to it we’re coming home in one piece and we ended a galactic war.  I think we have a pretty good argument for having been gone so long.  Sure, they might freak out a bit, say we were selfish, they were so worried and all that, but we know we did right, we just have to hope they don’t hold it against us.’

‘You think your mom will?’

She smirked.  ‘I think Dad will have had the brunt of her anger, having come back from space without both me and Matt, and Matt has been home a couple of weeks already, so I’m hoping he’s been a bit of a buffer.  We didn’t really get much time to talk while we were there.’

‘I don’t have a buffer.’

‘Sucks to be you.’  She teased.

‘Hah!’  He laughed, not really insulted, he appreciated that things hadn’t changed between the team.  ‘Okay, change of subject.  Has mullet kissed you yet?’

‘Who what now?’  Pidge looked at him in wide eyed horror at his question.

‘Mullet, you know, kinda funny looking, lilac eyes, no sense of humour, irritating as…’

‘He is not funny looking!’  She interrupted.  ‘And he has an amazing sense of humour!’

‘Defensive much?’  Lance grinned.  ‘But, has he?’

She looked back at the screen and started typing again.  ‘No.’

‘Seriously?  Even after what I walked in on earlier?  He didn’t come after you at lunch and mark his territory?’

‘Lance, no!  Keith didn’t mark anything!’

‘Kinda feel like you wanted him to.’  He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

‘Do we have to go over this again?’

‘Until it’s resolved, yep.  You two should be bumping uglies by now.’

Pidge slammed the laptop closed, the two floating screens disappearing as she did so.  ‘I’m out.’  She said, getting up and heading out of the lab.

‘Aw, c’mon, Pidge.’  Lance called as he followed her.  ‘I just want to be your own personal cupid!’

‘I don’t need a cupid.’  She replied without breaking stride.

‘The fact you haven’t made your own move on him makes me think maybe you do.’

‘I don’t!’

‘But you do want to make a move on him.’

She stopped and huffed out a frustrated breath, turning to glare at him.  ‘Why are you asking this?  Do you need me to admit it for you to shut up?’

Lance slung his arm around her shoulders.  ‘Nah, I don’t need you to admit it, I can see it every time you look at him.  I need you to know that I’m totally behind this!  Mullet and Pidge, sitting in a tree!’

‘Don’t finish that sentence!’  She pushed his arm off her and put some space between them.  ‘I admit I might have feelings for Keith that are not entirely platonic, but we don’t need a push, we need to figure this out in our own time!’

Lance shook his head.  ‘I can’t believe he didn’t finish what he started in the galley.  I’m disappointed.’

‘Not as disappointed as I was.’  She grumbled.  ‘We nearly kissed, I think, on the upper observation deck, when we had lunch, but…’

‘But?’  Lance prompted.

‘But work.’  She indicated to her laptop.  ‘I’ve been in the lab ever since Shiro gave me the algorithms from the garrison.’

‘Cockblocked twice in one day.  Ouch.  But I’m here to help you!’

‘Please don’t help me.’  Pidge rolled her eyes.

‘You need the help.  Let’s get the two of you together before we get back home.  I can just see Matt’s face when you show up holding Keith’s hand!’

Pidge spun quickly and hit Lance in the gut with the corner of her laptop, knocking the wind out of him with an; oof!  ‘I’m not trying to give my family a heart attack!’

‘Ow.’  Lance groaned as he tried to straighten, Pidge turning her back on him and heading towards the sleeping quarters.  ‘Pidge, wait!’

‘Goodnight, Lance.’  She replied, ignoring him completely before turning the corner and leaving him behind.

Notes:

Coming next...Shiro gives Keith some advice.

Chapter 4: Big Brother Shiro

Summary:

Keith and Shiro talk.

Notes:

Hey everyone! Here's chapter four for you all!

I had planned on putting it up yesterday but some serious shit hit the fan which had me in tears most of the morning then out of sorts for the afternoon. The matter is, mostly, settled now, however, the repercussions will no doubt go on for several months. Just bear with me is all I ask! Also, yesterday my daughters went to their dad's for a week and it will be the longest I've ever been apart from them! I know we'll all be fine it's just very out of routine for me, but I'm also having my bathroom remodelled at the same time so disruption everywhere!

Anyway, enough of my rambling, I'm sure you'd rather read the story, so off you go!

Keith didn’t like the training simulator on the cruiser.  It wasn’t half as sophisticated as the one on the castleship had been despite the upgrades they had added, and he felt uncomfortable using such backwards technology.

‘You hate it.’  Shiro said as entered the room, the simulation shutting down with the opening of the door.

Keith dropped his fighting stance and lowered his Bayard.  ‘It’s just hard to take such a huge leap backwards.’

‘The simulator doesn’t offer as big of a challenge, I get that, but what I don’t get is what has you here at the equivalent of three am.  Again.’  Shiro gave Keith a somewhat knowing look.

‘I can’t sleep.’  Keith picked up the towel he had thrown against the wall and wiped himself over.

‘Any particular reason for that?’

‘Anticipation of going back to Earth.’

Shiro laughed softly.  ‘You think so?’

‘Aren’t we all thinking about going back?

‘I guess.’

‘Considering the welcome you got first time you came back I’m not surprised you’re up.’

‘Diplomatic immunity this time.’  Shiro passed him the bottle of water he was carrying.  ‘Otherwise we’d all be steering clear, especially Allura and Coran.’

‘You came back with an alien arm and they practically dissected you.  I’d hate to think what they’d do with actual aliens, given half the chance.’

‘They proved their worth by helping save the world.’  Shiro smiled.  ‘There’s still a lot to do but mostly it will be digital paper trails.  Pidge is even now working on some algorithms the garrison sent.’  They turned on some unspoken cue, heading out of the door together.  ‘So, heading to bed now?’

‘A shower, then bed.’ Keith replied as he wiped his brow again before his voice took on an overly nonchalant tone.  ‘Did you say Pidge is still working on something?’

Shiro laughed loud enough for it to echo around the empty corridor.  ‘Just ask her out, Keith.’

‘That’s not what I…yeah, okay.’  Keith replied with a sigh.  ‘I should, but it’s not easy.’

‘Do you remember how long it took me and Adam to get together?’

‘Do I?’  Keith chuckled.  ‘You were mooning over him for months.’

‘Just like you’ve been doing over Pidge for two years!  Honestly, Keith, it’s the longest slow burn in history.  Ask her, you won’t be disappointed.’

Keith glanced away.  ‘And what if she’s disappointed?’

Shiro stopped and placed his hand on Keith’s shoulder comfortingly.  ‘I promise you, disappointed is the last thing she’ll be.’

‘I’ll think about it.’  Keith said gratefully.  ‘Thanks.’

‘I didn’t do anything, just told you what you needed to hear.  I’m glad you found someone who makes you happy.’

‘She always has.’  Keith smiled shyly.

‘Then do the same for her, and ask.’  Shiro said pointedly before taking back his hand and walking away.  ‘Also, if you’re going to talk to her tonight, she was still in the lab when I checked an hour ago, but shower first.’

‘I will.’  Keith called after him as Shiro shook his head.  Oh to be young and in love.

Notes:

Coming soon: Keith gets another pep talk.

Chapter 5: Everybody Ships It

Summary:

Preparations for arrival on Earth involves almost the entire team giving Keith a nudge.

Notes:

Hi all!

Here we go, the next chapter! I'm quite ahead on this so hoping to post some more chapters in the next couple of days! It's a little hard to concentrate with all the banging going on as my bathroom is replaced but I'm still trying to write! Having said that, I'm heading to the movies today! I'll write when I can!

Pidge wasn’t in the lab by the time Keith got there and he could only assume she had gone to bed.  He didn’t want to knock on her door in case he woke her, and she wasn’t at breakfast the next morning.  He figured she must be sleeping late and decided not to disturb her.  They were scheduled to land on Earth in the early afternoon and would have to attend an official welcoming ceremony in their Voltron armour on arrival.

Pidge had worked long into the night, or at least the early hours of the morning, and finally emerged from her room an hour before they were due to reach Earth’s atmosphere, going and getting herself some food before returning to her room to make herself more presentable.  She sent the information she had found to not only Shiro, but the entire team, and before long she had notifications from each in gratitude.

Their armour had been polished, the Lions tinkered with and cleaned, and Keith hadn’t had a chance to speak with Pidge in private.  The next time they saw one another was for landing, converging in the hangar where their Lions were housed together.  Keith watched Pidge as she walked confidently through the hangar, sparing him a wave as she headed towards Green.  She had a spring in her step as she walked and Keith couldn’t help but smile to himself as she spoke animatedly to Green, no doubt sharing her excitement at returning home.

‘Talk to her.’  Hunk said as he stepped up beside him.

‘You too?’  Keith gave him a raised eyebrow.

‘Me too what?’  Hunk frowned in confusion.

‘Giving me advice.  Everyone is telling me talk to Pidge, to tell her how I feel, ask her out, even kiss her.  I don’t want to rush into this but I also don’t want to lose my chance with her.’

‘You won’t lose her.’  Hunk assured him.  ‘You just need to define what you want from and with each other.  That and actually make sure she knows you like her.’

‘Of course I like her, why would she think I don’t?’

‘Think about it.  We’ve been in space for over five years.  Pidge has never had a boyfriend before, or any sort of romantic interest with or from anyone.  She might not even know what she’s feeling, let alone what you are.’

‘So,’ Keith said hesitantly, ‘I should make myself clear?’

‘Make sure she knows how you feel so there’s no mistaking it.  Be specific.  Don’t just kiss her and assume she knows it means you want her, not that it was a spur of the moment one off.  Go old school, ask her to be your girl, anything, just so long as she knows.’

‘What are we talking about?’  Allura asked as she reached Keith’s other side.

‘Nothing.’  Keith replied as Hunk said; ‘Keith and Pidge.’

‘Oh good!  Did you finally tell her how you feel?’  Allura asked hopefully.

‘Not yet.’  Hunk smiled at her.

‘Oh goodness, Keith, it’s been two years!  Give the poor girl her first kiss!’

‘Is there anyone who doesn’t have an opinion on this?’  Keith groaned exasperatedly.

‘No, we pretty much all want to see the two of you get together.’  Coran stated as he joined them.  ‘I for one can’t wait to see human courtship rituals.’

‘This isn’t a courtship ritual!’  Keith rolled his eyes.  ‘If I promise to talk to her will you all just drop it and let me do this my way?’

They all shared a glance but it was Hunk who answered.  ‘Sure.’

‘Great, thanks.’

‘Well, go on then.’  Allura encouraged him.

‘Fine.’  Keith started forward as the speaker system sounded.

Arrival in Earth’s atmosphere in T minus ten minutes.  All crew prepare for arrival.

‘I guess you have to wait again, buddy.’  Hunk patted his shoulder before setting off for his lion.

‘I can wait.’  Keith murmured, watching Pidge as she entered her lion.  ‘But not long.’

Notes:

Coming next: Pidge gets a serious case of nerves.

Chapter 6: Home

Summary:

The Paladins land at the garrison. Keith offers Pidge support.

Notes:

Hi all!

Thought I'd throw you out another chapter as I'm an attention whore and this is the only work I have ahead a decent way!

The bathroom work here still continues but another two days and it should be done (so Tuesday PM) then I'll be beside myself excited no doubt! As for now, we just have a toilet in the room and partially tiled, but the floor is going in Monday and the rest over the following two days!

These two continue to plague my thoughts, Keith and Pidge that is, which means I've managed a little more writing despite all the upset of having my girls home and workmen in and out of the house. Back to school for them both late next week though so I'm hoping for some normality to return!

Anyway, enough of me boring you, go see what they're up to!

The Lions escorted the cruiser into the spaceport that had been hastily constructed in the light of the war about to appear on their doorstep.  With the cruiser in the centre, Allura piloted Blue to land on the right, beside her Lance and Hunk in Red and Yellow, to the other side Keith and Pidge set down in Black and Green.

Descending the ramps in their Lions’ mouths, the Paladins removed their helmets, tucking them under their arms as they looked over the party waiting to greet them.  Pidge fought the urge to frown as the garrison band started playing, a party of military officers waiting for them, and to one side behind a barrier stood a large crowd of reporters, video cameras rolling, still cameras flashing.

At the centre of the officers stood Iverson, still as stern as they remembered, and Pidge recalled having been at the receiving end of his ire both as Katie and Pidge.  Even now she couldn’t forgive him the fact that he had hidden the truth behind the Kerberos mission.

‘Are you okay?’  Keith asked quietly as they met on their walk towards the officials, leaning closer to her.

‘I’m okay.’  She nodded.  ‘But it’s Iverson.  I know we’ve been able to rub his nose in the fact that Kerberos wasn’t pilot error and reveal the truth, but he still covered it up.  He still helped hide the fact that Dad, Matt, and Shiro were still alive out there.  I know he came through for us, but I can’t forget that.’

‘They didn’t know for sure.’  He replied.  ‘But I agree, their coverup cost valuable time.  We managed to set that right, but their lies will always leave a mark.’

She nodded.  ‘I really don’t like the guy, even after his change of heart.’

‘No one likes Iverson.’  Keith chuckled.  ‘I don’t even think Iverson likes Iverson.  But on the plus side, he does respect us.  We’ve been given diplomatic immunity, they’ve offered us official ranks as captain to meet the experience we’ve had and to keep us even with Shiro, and that has to grate like hell on Iverson that he’s going to have to bestow those ranks on one drop out, three deserters, and an awol alien abductee.’

Pidge gave him her brightest smile and he knew his words were appreciated.  ‘You’re absolutely right.  He’s going to hate every minute of this.  Thanks, Keith.’

‘I didn’t do anything.’  He shrugged as they got closer.

‘You helped cheer me up, that’s no mean feat.’  She said as she stepped nearer to him, her hand brushing his, and he realised she was trembling.

‘But you’re still worried enough to be nervous.’

She nodded once.  ‘Still nervous.’

‘You don’t have to be, I’ll be right here with the whole time.  I promise.’  He decided to take the chance, to be brave and let her know he was on her side.  He slipped his palm into hers, lacing their fingers and giving them a reassuring squeeze.  ‘We’re in this together, sword and shield.’

‘Sword and shield.’  She repeated, relishing the feel of his gloved hand in her own.  Knowing he was with her gave her more confidence, made her feel less stressed and anxious.

Allura noticed as the two Paladins joined hands and had to bite back a squeal of excitement, she was in her official capacity as Princess Allura of Altea and had to act as such, but it was very difficult when she wanted to get excited about two of her friends suddenly holding hands.

The four Paladins stood fanned out on either side of the blue carpet laid down for Allura to walk, standing like an honour guard with their helmets under their arms.  Iverson stepped forward with two officers at his flank to meet Allura, Coran and Shiro a step behind her, and he saluted sharply.  Keith and Pidge released hands so they could salute in return, as did the rest of the Paladins, Allura and Coran choosing instead to simply offer a respectful bow of the head.

‘Princess Allura, Paladins of Voltron, on behalf of the Galaxy Garrison and humanity, we would like to welcome you back to our solar system.’

‘Thank you, Commander Iverson.  It’s good to be back.’  She smiled.

‘It’s…good to see you all safe and well.’  Iverson said with the edge of his trademark growl.  He looked between them and Keith felt Pidge tense, her little finger reaching out for his, linking them together in the smallest of gestures, but it helped.  ‘Each of you will be awarded our highest medal of honour and insignias bestowing the rank of captain, given for your bravery and selflessness in battle.  If you’ll come this way?  We have the welcoming party all ready in the assembly hall.’

The military escort parted to line the carpet while the Paladins took up their agreed formation; Keith and Pidge took point, Allura next with Shiro and Coran directly behind her, Hunk and Lance at the back.

‘Can you believe they’re holding hands?’  Allura said in a loud whisper as she glanced back at Coran and Shiro.

‘They’re only touching fingers.’  Shiro replied, his tone low.  ‘It’s hardly a big improvement.’

‘But it is.’  Allura gushed excitedly.  ‘This is progress!  And they were holding hands properly before they had to salute.’

‘Were they?  That is definitely progress.’  Shiro agreed.

‘Ah, young love.’  Coran sighed.  ‘They do make quite a cute couple.’

‘They do indeed.’  Allura concurred.

The garrison assembly hall had evidently been given a hasty makeover in lieu of their return, the room smelling of a combination of paint and varnish, and Pidge wrinkled her nose at the pungent combination.

‘I don’t think the garrison ever looked this pristine.’  Keith commented as they stopped a little way into the room to await everyone else.

‘And I bet if it came out of Iverson’s budget he’ll be pissed.’  Pidge replied.

‘He always was a tightwad.’  Keith leant close to her as he said it, the conspiratorial tone he used making her bite back a laugh.

‘You’re right, there has to be parts of this situation he hates.’

‘Feel better knowing that?’

‘A bit.  Thanks, Keith.’

‘Anytime.’  He patted her shoulder as the others joined them.

Allura smiled broadly at them, her hands clasped before her.  ‘Pidge.  Keith.’  She greeted them both.

‘Princess.’  They said almost in unison.

‘Tell me, what’s new?’

Keith and Pidge shared a confused look.  ‘New?’  Keith frowned in confusion.  ‘The paint job in here is pretty new, I don’t think they changed the curtains on the stage, but the floor has definitely been varnished.’

‘Yeah, they’re really trying to make a good impression.’ Pidge agreed.

‘No, I mean with the two of you.’  She looked between them expectantly.

‘Uh…’  Pidge pulled a confused face, but before either of them could form an answer the door at the far end of the room opened, allowing entry to all the political representatives from around the world.

‘Looks like it’s showtime.’  Shiro stated, and they all prepared themselves for what was to come.

Notes:

Coming next...Keith and Pidge discover the Garrison took things a little literally.

Chapter 7: And There Was Only One Bed

Summary:

A little miscommunication leads to a lot of embarrassment.

Notes:

I'm not dead! My laptop is but I'm not! Actually, it works on power and on Sunday I'm taking it in to see how long it will take to replace the battery!

As for writing, I am actually quite a way ahead with this one but after my concussion last week my concentration is still shot and then yesterday I dislocated my hip so I'm in a lot of pain and struggling to get around! Other than that I'm just carrying on!

Anyway, enjoy!

‘Well, that sucked.’  Lance grumbled as they followed one of the cadets assigned to escort their group to the high security guest quarters, the rest of the team having already gone with other cadets to their rooms.

‘It wasn’t that bad.’  Keith replied.

‘Yeah, it was.’  Pidge disagreed.  ‘We had to spend two hours talking about the same things repeatedly to a bunch of politicians who have no real clue what it’s like to fight in a normal war, let alone a space one.’

‘Okay, that did suck.’

‘You’re damn right it sucked.’  Lance rolled his shoulder.  ‘I could have gone straight home and even now be eating my mom’s empanadas.  Did I tell you guys how good they are?’

‘Several times, Lance.’  Pidge shook her head.

‘Good, because they’re worthy of multiple brags.’

‘This is your room, Paladin McClain.’  The cadet opened the door with a keycard before handing it to Lance.

‘Thanks, kid.’  He replied and Pidge snorted a laugh then leant into Keith.

‘Like he’s so old himself.’

‘Hey I don’t care what you say I’m a VIP now.’  Lance called back as the cadet led Keith and Pidge further down the corridor.

‘And this is your room.’  The cadet opened the door and stood aside.

‘Sorry, whose room?’  Keith asked, assuming he had missed something.

‘Both of your room.’  The cadet said hesitantly, pulling a list from his pocket.  ‘Paladins Kogane and Holt, room 7B.’

‘Let me see that.’  Pidge took the paper and read it for herself as her heart seemed to leap then sink in close succession.  ‘Maybe it’s, like, a two bedroomed place?’

‘Of course.’  Keith nodded calmly while his mind raced.  What if this wasn’t a two bedroomed place?  ‘We’ve got it from here, thanks.’  He took the keycard from the cadet as Pidge returned the paperwork.

The cadet saluted and made a hasty exit as they walked through the door, Pidge closing it behind her.

‘I guess doubling up kind of makes sense, since there are so many diplomats and political representatives here, but it seems weird that…’  She stopped beside Keith as he folded his arms and looked at the room before them.  ‘Nope, that’s definitely just one bed.’

‘Uh, yeah.’  Keith nodded, noting their bags had been brought here from the cruiser, as though taunting them that this wasn’t some kind of mix up.  ‘Who do you think we call about this?’

‘There has to be a number.’  Pidge went to the desk and started looking through the small pile of paperwork, trying to ignore the large bed, the prospect of sharing it with Keith raising thoughts in her far too active imagination.  ‘You know, for emergencies or whatever.’

Keith walked to the window and looked out at the desert landscape, long shadows being cast by the late afternoon sun.  It was beautiful from their vantage point and he hoped Pidge would take a moment to admire it.  He was aware she had found a number and was calling it, but his mind kept slipping back to the fact they had, if only temporarily, been assigned the same room, and he could think of far worse things than curling up in the crisp white linens with Pidge in his arms.  It was thoughts such as this that had made him realise this wasn’t just a physical attraction, that he wanted to be a part of her life in a much bigger way.

‘Where did you get that idea?’  He heard her growl into the phone and she had his full attention again.

‘What’s wrong?’  He asked quietly as he approached where she was pacing, but she held up her finger to silence him.

‘No, I know it’s busy, but this isn’t…appropriate, or something…okay, fine, you do that.’  She hung up and threw the phone onto the desk.  ‘Well, this is awkward.’  She rubbed the back of her neck nervously.

‘Booking error and they have no more rooms available?’

‘Something like that, it’s kinda my fault though.’

‘How can it be your fault?’  He fought the urge to comfort her, could feel how anxious this had her.

‘When I said you were an honorary Holt they took it literally.  They think we’re space married or something.’  She grimaced.  ‘But it’s okay, this was my fault, so you take the room and I’ll go back to my room on the cruiser.’  She started towards the bags, embarrassment staining her cheeks, but she didn’t make it, Keith catching her arm and drawing her back towards him.

‘Hey, it’s alright, we can work with this, okay?  No one has to sleep on the cruiser.’

‘Keith, there’s one bed and no couch, do the math.’

‘I always prefer to leave the math to you.’  He smiled, sliding his hand down her arm until his fingers could wrap around hers.  ‘We’re adults, we can deal with this for a few days.  And it won’t be the first time we’ve slept together.’

‘First time we what now?’  Pidge’s eyes went wide.

‘When we had to wait for rescue on that desert moon last year?’

‘Right!’  Pidge laughed nervously.  The entire event was etched into her brain as one of her favourite memories.  Sharing a campfire and body heat with Keith for three nights had been amazing.  ‘I forgot about that.’  She lied with a smile.

‘It’s no different other than we have more comfortable surroundings, right?’

‘I guess.’  She shrugged, glancing down at where he still held her hand.  ‘But if they spread what they think is news then my folks will find out, the whole world will find out, and it’s not true.’

‘We can explain to your folks, and I don’t care about what the rest of the world thinks, as long as you’re happy.’

‘You mean that?’  She asked hopefully.

‘With all my heart.’

‘Then, if you’re really sure, I’m happy to go through with this, but if you change your mind you have to tell me, okay?  I mean, what if…uh…you want to bring a girl back or something?’

Keith laughed at the thought of him wanting to spend a night with anyone but her.  ‘How many girls have you ever known me to bring back?’

She shrugged, the movement drawing her hand away and giving Keith the opportunity to let her go if he wished, but instead he kept hold.  ‘I don’t know, you were with the Blades, and then the quantum abyss…’

‘Trust me.’  He lowered his head to meet her eyes.  ‘I’m not Lance.  I’m not flirting with every girl I come across.’

‘I don’t think I’d know if you were flirting.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.’  She reached up to the bridge of her nose to push her glasses up but Keith’s other hand caught it.

‘You’ll get used to not wearing them eventually.  And if you can’t tell when I’m flirting then maybe I need to step up my game.’

‘You don’t have to do that.’  Pidge said quietly, hating the thought of Keith flirting with other girls just to prove his point.

‘We’ll see.’  He squeezed her hands gently.  ‘I guess if we’re staying we should unpack.’

‘We should.’  She nodded and he released her hands, stepping back.  ‘We have, what? About a varga before everyone’s folks arrive?’

‘About that.’

‘Then we need to change too.’

‘Ugh, don’t remind me.’  She rolled her eyes as she hauled her bag onto the bed.

‘You’d rather stay in your armour?’  He asked in surprise as he did the same.

‘I’d rather not get all dressed up.  I know Allura and Coran want us all to make a good impression, and they’ve liaised with us and the Garrison to get us appropriate outfits, but my folks won’t care what I’m wearing, just that I’m home.  And wouldn’t it make more sense for us to wear our Garrison uniforms?’

‘It does feel like a lot of unnecessary effort.’  He agreed.  ‘But it’s good press.  Family reunions will sell a lot of papers.’

‘Still don’t like it.’  She grumbled as she opened the closet door.  ‘Speaking of.’  She lifted out the dress she had finally agreed to wear after a lot of negotiation.  ‘Maybe they got my measurements wrong and I can wear my pants and hoodie.’

‘You’ll look great in it.’  Keith told her warmly.

‘Let’s hope.’  She mumbled before hanging it back up and continuing to unpack.

Notes:

Coming next: To the presentation!

Chapter 8: A Dress, A Drink, and A Dumbass

Summary:

Pidge wears a dress, Keith is reassuring, and Matt is a little shit.

Notes:

Hey all!

So, it’s been a while huh? If you don’t follow me on tumblr then you won’t know I’ve been without my laptop for the last ten days. The battery blew so its away being repaired and costing me a small fortune while I’m at it! Therefore this had been posted from my phone so I hope I didn’t quiznak it up!

Also...we got kittens! Two little boys called Shiro and Dippy! They are 8 weeks old today and it’s the first time my little Boo has had kittens! She’s absolutely besotted with them! It’s so adorable!

I did have a pic of Pidge’s dress saved to share but it is on my laptop and I have no idea I’d it will still be there when I get it back!

Anyway, happy reading!

Pidge looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and sighed.  The dress fit fine, the small heeled shoes too, and she had brushed out her hair.  She was as ready as she would ever be.  She unlocked the door, knowing Keith was all ready to go.  He looked amazing in his black suit with red shirt and no tie, she just hoped she didn’t let him, and the team, down.  She stepped out, hoping that she didn’t look as ridiculous as she felt.

Keith’s head turned as the bathroom door opened and he got to his feet in awe at how Pidge looked.  The dress had a scalloped V neck and no sleeves, fitting close to her upper body and flaring out from her hips to her knees in a dark green brocade material.  It made him realise how much she had grown up since they met, how while petite she was definitely a woman, and a beautiful one at that.

‘Katie, you look…’  Words failed him.  She looked incredible, even as she wrinkled her nose.

‘Does it look that bad?’

‘Not bad at all.’  He promised her.  ‘You’re stunning, absolutely gorgeous.’

‘I feel stupid.’  She pouted and it made him smile.

‘Definitely not stupid.’

‘Really?’  She pulled on the material of the skirt.  ‘You’re not just saying that?  Because I know I’ve worn the occasional dress when Allura said custom dictated it, but it’s the first time I’ve had to be dressed up Earth style since I saw Matt off on the Kerberos mission.’

‘I’m really not just saying that.  You look really pretty.’  He glanced at the small wrist device they each wore, a newer addition to their Paladin armour Pidge had designed to work as not only a wristwatch but also as an alarm to the other Paladins, a communicator, heart rate monitor, and so many other things Keith thought he might have forgotten some of them.  ‘We still have half a varga until we have to meet up with everyone. Do you want to see if we can sneak in early and get a drink?’

‘You know, a drink might help.’  She smiled, and it made him happy to know he had set her at ease.

‘Then what are we waiting for?’  He held his arm out for her to go ahead of him.

‘You think word will have got out yet?’  Pidge asked as they entered the elevator.

‘Word?’

‘Word about you and me…you know.’

‘Being a couple?’  He suggested.

‘Yeah, that.’

‘Probably.  I was thinking about it while I changed.  We’re pretty certain our details will be all over the media by now, so everyone will know who we are, and not only that but we walked out of our Lions and held hands this morning.  I think even if it hasn’t been reported after that it’s at least going to be speculated, and we need to be prepared for that.’

‘Oh my God.’  Pidge covered her face with her hands.  ‘This is all my fault.  I’m so sorry!’

‘Hey, you don’t need to be sorry, actually I’m glad.’

‘How can you be glad?’  She peeked out from between her fingers.

He took her wrists and pried her hands away.  ‘There are worse things, hundreds of them, than people thinking that we’re…’  He paused, taking in her flushed cheeks and worried expression.  ‘This could work in our favour, Pidge.’  He said, his voice low.

‘How?’  The words fell from her lips in a whisper as she became aware that yet again he was holding her willingly.

‘It gives us both a degree of protection from other rumours and unwanted attention.’

She frowned.  ‘What kind of attention?’

Keith sighed.  ‘I forget you won’t have had much experience with this.’  He took his hands back and leant against the wall.  ‘It’s like being popular, people want to use you either for prestige or other selfish motives.  If people think we’re together then the chance of anyone trying to use us is lessened.  Does that make sense?’

‘You mean like flirting with us to get their way?’

He fought not to smile at her innocence.  ‘Among other things.’

He watched as the thought took hold in her mind and her eyes went wide.  ‘Ooohhh.’  She drew the word out, each vowel seeming to increase her blush further.  ‘Well, I guess I’m safe anyway, seeing as no one has ever…you know.’  She took up an almost identical pose to him on the opposite wall but folded her arms for good measure before staring at her feet.

‘I…don’t know.’  He said, worrying about what she was talking about exactly, his mind racing.

‘I don’t think anyone has ever thought of me that way.’

He sputtered a laugh.  ‘I don’t think that’s true.’

‘Don’t make fun of me, Keith.’  She huffed.  ‘I know I’m not beautiful like Allura or your mom, I’m just the brains.  No one looks at me the way Matt and Lance used to look at Allura, but I’ve accepted that.  Sticking me in a dress doesn’t change that and neither does the fact I helped stop the war.  If I turn someone’s head that will be why, not because of me.’

He stared at her in disbelief.  Did she really have such a low opinion of herself?  She may not be as statuesque as Allura or Krolia but she was lovely in a way they weren’t.  He adored everything about her.  ‘You don’t mean that?’

‘Don’t worry about it.’  She flashed him a small smile as the elevator sounded their arrival and she straightened.  ‘I came to terms with it a long time ago.  Let’s go get that drink.’

Keith watched as she headed out of the elevator without hesitation, apparently completely accepting of the fact she didn’t think she was attractive.  He quickly followed her, determined to set her straight.

The assembly hall had been reset with a bar and large buffet table, several staff milling around and seeing to the final details.  Keith caught up with Pidge at the bar as she looked it over.

‘So, what’s good for a beginner?  Because anything will taste good after nunvill.’

‘Whatever you choose just pace yourself.’  Keith warned her.  ‘You don’t want me to have to carry you to bed.’

‘No, that would be tragic.’  She muttered to herself.

‘You like sweet things so let’s go with that, but try not to mix or I guarantee you a hangover tomorrow.’  He continued, having not heard her.

‘I’m not planning on getting drunk, just one or two to help with my nerves.’

‘I get it.’  Keith nodded as he called over the bartender.  ‘Hi, what have you got that’s sweet and not too strong?’

‘We have mostly wine tonight, sir, and selected brandies and whiskies, by order of Commander Iverson.’

‘Of course.  The sweetest wine you have then, two please.’  He turned back to Pidge who was surveying the mostly empty room.  ‘You know what you said in the elevator isn’t true, right?’

‘Which part?’  She asked without looking away, her mind preoccupied by the fact that in less than half a varga her parents would be here.

‘Black to Green, do you read me Pidge?’

She snapped out of her daydream at him using their call signs.  ‘I can hear you, sorry, I got distracted.’

‘I could tell.  What were you thinking about?’

‘Mom and Dad.  They’re probably here already, with Matt.  Mom’s always early.’

‘Excited to see them?’

‘Kinda.  I know Mom will be on her best behaviour while we’re here, but if she gets me alone, boy will I be in trouble.’

‘You think she’ll still be mad?  Even knowing you were instrumental in saving the galaxy?’

‘I think so because she hasn’t had a chance to vent it yet.  I think she’ll be mad I ran away to join the Garrison disguised as a boy, mad I went to space, mad I fought in the war, mad I put myself at risk, mad at Dad for coming back without both me and Matt, mad I got hurt when we cleared the Galra from Earth space, mad…’

‘I get the idea.’  He stopped her counting the reasons on her fingers.  ‘But you know a lot of her anger will be because it’s an easier emotion to go to when you’re relieved?’

‘She’ll still yell at me.’

‘Because she loves you.’  He turned back to the bar as the tender set down their wine, taking them with thanks and holding one out to Pidge.  ‘Here you go.’

‘Thanks.  We should make a toast.’

‘That’s not a bad idea.  What shall we drink to?’

‘The end of the war?’  Pidge suggested.

‘Sure, that, but I have something I want to add.’

‘Go on then.’  Pidge encouraged him as she sniffed the wine.

‘To my space wife, a true warrior and genius, who doesn’t realise just how beautiful she really is.’

Pidge stared at him for a moment, touched by his words, but she knew he was kidding around, calling her his space wife, and she decided to react appropriately.  She laughed, her smile bright.  ‘Okay, I want to change mine.  To my space husband, who can seriously sweet talk when he wants to.’

They clinked the rims of their glasses and took a drink, Pidge wrinkling her nose at the unfamiliar flavour.

‘Ugh, people drink this by choice?’  She grimaced after swallowing.

‘Yeah, it’s not great.’  Keith agreed.  ‘If we weren’t waiting for your folks I’d suggest we sneak out to a bar and blow off all this official nonsense.’

‘That’s sounding better by the minute.’  She said as she pressed the back of her hand to her forehead and faked a swoon against his bicep.  ‘Take me away from all this, Keith!’

He laughed and wrapped his arm around her.  ‘I would if I could, but let’s get the reunion out of the way, and if you still want to leave maybe we can have a special signal so we can help each other escape, even if it’s just from talking to boring officials.’

‘That sounds great.’  She grinned as she stood up again, aware of Keith’s hand lingering on her back.  ‘So, a signal, some kind of sign, to help each other out.’

‘As an honorary Holt and your space husband I’ll try not to stray too far from you anyway, but if we do get separated maybe rub your ear if you need backup, ping me on your wrist communicator if you need a rescue?’

‘Sounds like a great plan.’  She shot him a finger gun.

‘Hey, what are you two doing in here?’  They turned to see one of the officers who had greeted them earlier stalking towards them.

‘Drinking?’  Pidge said uncertainly as though it wasn’t obvious.

‘You should be backstage!  You have to be awarded your medals!’  He started ushering them towards the stage.  ‘All the other paladins are there, you’ll get your reunion once you’re through.  You can leave the wine here.’

‘Oh no, we’re taking that with us.’  Keith insisted, his hand still on Pidge’s back and leading her towards the stage.

‘But…’

‘Nope.’  Keith said firmly as they got ahead of him.

Pidge laughed quietly.  ‘Good call on keeping the wine.’

‘It won’t help your nerves if you don’t get the chance to drink it.’  He let her go up the steps before him and they followed the sound of soft talking to a room backstage.

The rest of the team were already there, the Alteans were being awarded honorary ranks, and they were all dressed similarly, at least the male paladins were.  Each wore a black suit, their shirts matching their original corresponding Lions; Allura and Coran wearing Altean regalia.

‘Here they are.  We wondered where you’d got to.’  Shiro smiled as he looked them over.  ‘Looking good, Pidge.’

‘Yeah, yeah.’  She waved away the compliment.

‘I mean it, that really suits you.’

‘So, how long do we have to wait?’  Keith interrupted what was probably going to become another chance for Pidge to deny exactly how she looked.

‘Not long.  They’ll take us to the wings then call us out once family, friends, and press are assembled.  That way the press get the reactions from when they first see us and the full reunions.’

‘The press suck.’  Pidge grumbled.

‘Oh, come on, they’re loving us, make the most of it!’  Lance grinned.

‘You make the most of it.’  Pidge retorted.

‘I plan on it.’  He framed his chin with his thumb and index finger.

‘How come you guys have drinks?’  Hunk asked, looking between them.

‘We came down early and got them.’  Keith shrugged.  ‘We didn’t know we had to come backstage.’

‘Didn’t you read your itineraries?’  Allura titled her head and regarded them curiously.  ‘They were in our rooms.’

‘We were too busy trying to figure something else out.’  Keith said cryptically.

‘What was that?’  Shiro frowned.

‘They screwed up the room arrangements.’  Keith continued as Pidge took another sip of her wine.

‘What did they screw up about it?’

Pidge looked up at Keith then drank her wine again, her cheeks flushed and bobbing her head slightly.

‘Wait, are you sharing?’  Lance laughed.

‘Shut up, Lance!’  Pidge snapped.

‘Holy shit, you are!’

‘It was a mix up.’  Keith explained.  ‘We tried to fix it but there’s no spare rooms.’

‘Ohhhh, Pidge and Keith, sitting in a…’  Lance didn’t get the chance to finish as Pidge lashed out with her foot and caught him in the stomach, doubling him over.

‘I offered to go sleep back on the cruiser.’  Pidge explained as Lance got his breath back.

‘But I said we were both adults and could put up with this for a couple of days.’

‘Right.’  Shiro said hesitantly as they became aware of the noise level escalating from the front of the stage area.  ‘Are you okay with this, Pidge?’

‘Me, okay?  Of course I’m okay, why wouldn’t I be okay?  It’s just sleeping, right?  We won’t even know the other is there because we’ll be just that.  Asleep.’

‘Maybe slow up on that wine.’  Shiro smiled slyly.  ‘Just in case.’

‘I won’t have another after this, I promise, I’m not actually enjoying it very much.’

‘It’s an acquired taste.’  Keith explained.

‘Paladins?’  A voice came from the doorway and they all turned, finding Iverson standing there in his official dress uniform.  ‘If you’re ready you can accompany me to the wings.’

‘We’re ready.’  Shiro informed him, allowing Iverson to lead the way.

Keith finished his glass, putting it on a table to the side, Pidge quickly following suit and immediately regretting it as heat rushed to her cheeks and her head felt momentarily light.  She reached the others last, brushing off her skirt, suddenly nervous.

‘All good?’  Hunk asked her as she shifted from one foot to another.

‘Yeah.  Nervous, you?’

‘Excited.’  He grinned.

‘That’s because you probably won’t get grounded.’

‘You’re too old to be grounded now, Pidge.’  Lance said over his shoulder.

‘You don’t know my mom.’

Shiro laughed softly.  ‘I only met Colleen a handful of times but you’re right, she’s a strong woman, and you’re testament to that, Pidge.  You wouldn’t have accomplished as much as you have without the guidance of your parents.’

‘So what’s mullet’s excuse?’  Lance quipped.

‘Lance!’  Shiro and Pidge snapped, only for them to be shushed by Iverson.

They fell into a companionable silence as they waited just a few minutes before Iverson went out onto the stage to the microphone at the lectern, the room falling silent a moment later.  Iverson cleared his throat and looked out at the crowded room.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to bestow our highest medal for honour and bravery on the heroes of the battle against the Galra; the Galaxy Garrison’s finest, the Paladins of Voltron.’  That was their cue to enter the stage and Shiro led the way, followed by Allura, Coran, Hunk, Lance, then Keith and Pidge bringing up the rear.  ‘In addition, the Garrison members of the team will be promoted to captains, in light of their military expertise and experience.  It gives me great pleasure to be the one to grace them with this honour.’

Iverson moved down the line, a cadet following him with a tray of small velvet boxes, shaking Shiro’s hand first before handing him the boxed medal and a new insignia.  He moved on to Allura and Coran, handing them a medal each, and carrying on appropriately.

‘You okay?’  Keith leant in towards Pidge who was fighting not to scowl at Matt in the second row.  He was pulling faces at her, indicating to the ring finger on his left hand and mimicking Pinocchio’s nose growing, letting her know the rumour of her and Keith was definitely out there.

‘Great.  Be thankful you’re an only child.’  She said through her fixed smile, wanting nothing more than to flip Matt off, but knowing she couldn’t do so under such scrutiny.

Keith glanced at Matt who smiled at him pleasantly and gave him a thumbs up.  He wasn’t sure what to make of it but turned his attention to Iverson as he stepped in front of him, offering him his hand to shake then took the two items before he moved on to Pidge.

Just minutes later at the presentation was over, the applause rapturous, and the Paladins held open their medals for the press to take photos of them all together.

‘We will now take a small selection of questions from the press.’  Iverson announced, pointing to one of the reporters as all hands went up.

‘What are you really looking forward to doing now you’re back on Earth?’

‘I think,’ Shiro began, ‘I can speak for all of us when I say we’re looking forward to spending time with our families, but also more Earth food.  No offence to food goo, it does the job, but it doesn’t quite treat the palette like the taste of home.’

‘And we’re looking forward to learning more about Earth culture.’  Allura added.

‘You.’  Iverson pointed to the next.

‘What was the most difficult battle you had to face since you first left Earth?’

‘That’s a hard question to answer.’  Shiro looked between them.  ‘Each battle had its own challenges, while some were not as tricky as others…’

‘All of them.’  Hunk spoke up, Shiro silencing for him.  ‘Every battle was difficult, every single one had so many lives at stake, not just our own, but they were also rewarding.  Not one fight was fruitless because it was towards the ultimate goal; peace.’

His simple answer gained a round of applause from the audience and Lance patted him on the shoulder as he shifted in embarrassment.

‘Well said.’  Shiro smiled at him.

‘One more.’  Iverson pointed to another reporter.

‘Thank you, my question is for Captains Kogane and Holt.  Do you think the constant dangers you faced as Paladins pushed you together as a couple in a way you wouldn’t have been in a normal situation?’

There was a sudden; hah!; from the family section and Pidge glared at Matt who was receiving a tongue lashing from Colleen while his shoulders shook as he continued to laugh silently.

‘I…uh…’  Pidge stuttered, not knowing what to say, so Keith took over.

‘I think the situation came with a lot of challenges, but each of us have grown to trust one another in a way we wouldn’t have in normal circumstances.  It changed all our relationships.’

The reporter wasn’t happy with this answer alone and spoke again.  ‘But love during the heat of battle, it must have been fraught for you both.  Were there times when you thought you had lost the other?  Was there a greater fear of death or serious injury?’

‘It hurts to come close to losing anyone.’  Pidge replied noncommittally.  ‘No matter what your relationship.’

‘But…’

‘Enough questions.’  Iverson said firmly.

‘Kiss!’  A yell came from the crowd and Pidge’s eyes went wide as she glared at Matt again, who was now being told off by Sam.

‘I don’t think…’  Pidge started as excited chatter broke out in the room, drowning her out as Keith gave Shiro a desperate look.

Shiro stepped over to Iverson, who covered the microphone with his hand.  ‘They’re not doing this.  It’s an invasion of privacy, not to mention just plain awkward.’

‘You’re right.’  Iverson nodded and uncovered the microphone again.  ‘Any displays of affection will be undertaken consensually and as desired, not to order.  That is the end of the questions.  Dismissed.’

Pidge groaned, thinking Iverson probably made matters worse, but she was the first off the stage, trotting down the steps on the front towards her family, trying to ignore the press.  She flashed a smile to her parents, handing Colleen her medal and insignia, before throwing her arms around Matt’s neck, allowing him to lift her off the floor in a hug.  What he wasn’t ready for was her hand to wrap around his ponytail and pull it tight enough to tug painfully at the roots.

‘You’re an asshole.’  She growled into his ear.

‘Aww, c’mon, Pigeon.’  He chuckled despite her pulling his hair.  ‘If you two are a couple it’s no big deal, right?’

She leant back and scowled at him, giving his hair another tug, enough to make him gasp.  ‘You’re not funny.’

‘I’m a little funny.’

‘You’re a jerk.’  She kicked him in the shin, making him put her down.

‘You did great up there, Katie.’  Sam said as he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her temple.

‘I didn’t do anything.’  She narrowed her eyes threateningly at Matt who was fixing his ponytail which felt far too tight.

‘You stayed composed despite Matthew’s best efforts.’  Colleen joined her daughter in glaring at her son.  ‘But you could have said something about you and Keith.’

‘Mom.’  Pidge groaned.  ‘There is no me and Keith.  Not like that.’

‘Not yet.’  Matt sung teasingly.

‘So…you’re not dating Keith?’  Colleen asked hesitantly.  ‘Because once you said he was joining our family, after the way he looked at you during debriefings, I assumed the two of you were already together.’

‘I meant he was an honorary Holt so he wouldn’t be alone during these proceedings.’

‘And because you like him.’  Matt added.  ‘Oh shit, act natural, here he comes!’

Pidge stepped very deliberately on Matt’s foot as her cheeks flared.  ‘Quiznaker.’  She whispered harshly before turning an embarrassed smile on Keith as he reached them.

‘Good to see you again, Keith.’  Sam offered him his hand.

‘You too, General Holt.’  Keith smiled as they shook.  ‘Mrs Holt.’  He offered her his hand next but instead she surprised him by taking him in a hug.

‘Welcome back to Earth, Keith.’  She rubbed his back.  ‘And I hear you’re an unofficial Holt now?’

Keith gave a small embarrassed laugh.  ‘Only if that’s not going to be a problem.’

‘Absolutely no problem.  You’ve taken care of our Katie all these years, it’s the least we can do.’  Colleen kissed his cheek.

‘She’s pretty capable of taking care of herself.’  Keith smiled at Pidge who had turned a pale shade of pink.

‘Did Mom just kiss Keith before you did?’  Matt asked as he leant close to Pidge, her response was to elbow him in the stomach.

‘Shut up, yalmor brain.’

‘I’ve missed you too.’  He slung his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him.

‘Yeah, okay, but no more teasing.’

‘I missed teasing you.’  He kissed her hair.  ‘And congrats on the medal and promotion.’

‘I don’t really feel like one of the Garrison any more.’  She shrugged.  ‘Not like I was.’

‘I know what you mean.’  He nodded.  ‘We’ve all come a long way since then, been part of bigger things.’

‘Yeah, it feels more honorific than practical.’  Pidge wrinkled her nose.

‘What’s that?’  Sam asked.

‘The Garrison promotions.’  She explained.  ‘It doesn’t feel like we’re actually captains in the real sense of the word, more that we were given the titles so they could claim us as theirs.’

‘I understand what you mean.’  Keith agreed.  ‘Of everything, we’re Paladins of Voltron first.  The Garrison insignia is more like a badge of belonging than a rank we can use.’

‘That!’  Pidge held both her hands out to Keith as he nailed exactly what she was trying to say.  ‘See?  Keith gets it!’

‘Of course I get it.’  He raised his hand for her to high five.  ‘Because I get you.’

She slapped her palm against his but before she could pull away he laced their fingers and stepped close to her. 

‘The press are milling around now. We want operation leave us the hell alone to be a success, right?’

‘Oh absolutely.’  Pidge agreed wholeheartedly.  They hadn’t agreed on the handholding in advance but it did make sense and was probably the least inflammatory thing they could do, and she wasn’t going to complain if Keith wanted to do this and act the part.  It might be the closest she ever got.

‘Operation leave us the hell alone?’  Sam looked between them in amusement as they formed a small circle, Keith on Pidge’s right and fully holding her hand now.

‘Well, the Garrison, and most likely therefore the press too, kinda took my honorary Holt message about Keith as a literal Holt message.  We assume they think we’re either a couple or space married, but this way we have protection against unwanted attention.’

‘What makes you think the Garrison believe you’re married?’  Colleen asked as a waiter brought over a tray of wine and offered it between them.

‘They put us in shared accommodation.’  Pidge replied and Sam shot Keith a look.

‘Don’t worry, sir, I promise no funny business.’  He raised his freehand in a pose of surrender.

‘If you try anything Pidge doesn’t want I think she’s quite capable of not only protecting herself but of making sure you aren’t capable for some time.’  Sam said with a laugh but there was a glint in his eyes that said he knew that statement to be true.

‘Don’t I know it.’  Keith said proudly, knowing how much harder Pidge has started training in recent years, how toned her body and how capable she was against even a much bigger opponent.  He took a glass of wine when it was offered but Pidge declined, determined to stick to just the one glass.  ‘Pidge, do you want me to get you something non-alcoholic?’

‘Hey, you’re old enough to drink now.  Live a little.’  Matt said encouragingly.

Pidge wrinkled her nose as she shook her head.  ‘I had one already. I want to keep my wits about me.’

‘Aw, just one?’  Matt said in disappointment.  ‘We’re meant to be celebrating.’

‘I can celebrate without having my judgement impaired by imbibing intoxicating liquor, thank you very much.’

‘Stop pressuring your sister to drink.’  Colleen gave Matt one of her patented mom glares that had him actually take a step towards Keith.  ‘And with children who have been out in space for the last few years that’s the most normal sentence I will probably ever utter.’

They all laughed, the nearest member of the press taking several snaps of the Holt family enjoying a rare moment of amusement.

‘Come on, let’s get you something you’ll actually drink.’  Keith pulled on Pidge’s hand and led her to the scowled back at him.

‘I’m so sorry about them.’  Pidge grumbled as they made their way across the room, acknowledging the other Paladins, their families, and various officials as they did so, Lance shooting Pidge a thumbs up behind Keith’s back.

‘What are you sorry for?’  Keith looked at her in surprise.

‘My folks, Matt mostly.’

‘I think they’re great.’  He squeezed her hand reassuringly as they stopped to pose for a picture.

‘You haven’t lived with them.’

‘Neither have you for six years, not including the brief time Matt and your dad stayed with us.’

‘Yeah, I guess.’  She smiled up at him.  ‘But the teasing I can do without.’

‘What was Matt teasing you for?’

‘Uh, doesn’t matter.’  She shook her head rapidly.  ‘Just a sibling thing.  He’ll do whatever he can to drive me crazy, but it’s okay because I do the same to him.  I just could have done without it today.’

‘It was the dress, right?’

‘Huh?’  She frowned her confusion as she glanced down at herself.

‘The fact you’re wearing a dress?  Wasn’t that what he was ribbing you for?’

‘Uh, yeah!’  Pidge laughed nervously, reaching up to touch the bridge of her nose before remembering, yet again, about her glasses.  ‘You know, if you see me go to do that, stop me again.’

‘How would you like me to do that?’  Keith’s lips quirked in amusement.

‘I don’t know.’  She shrugged.  ‘Slap my hand away or something.’

‘I can’t slap you.’  He sputtered a laugh.

‘Sure you can, you’ve hit me in training before.’

‘I’m not slapping you.’

‘So do something else because I’m really bugging myself doing it, so who knows how much it’s annoying everyone else.’

‘I think it’s…’

‘If you say cute I will drop you right here.’  She shoved him bodily with the arm where they still held hands and it made her realise they were still joined, that he hadn’t let her go and that it didn’t feel awkward, in fact it felt really good.

‘Okay, not cute.  Endearing.’

‘Long word, Kogane.’  She fired him a sideways glance with a smirk that made his heart skip a beat.

‘I learnt from a certain smart pigeon I know.’  He said overly nonchalantly and she nudged him again.

‘Thanks.’

‘What for?’  He glanced down, realising she hadn’t stepped away again, their arms in a solid line, her hair brushing his shoulder.

‘For not making this weird.’  She swung their joined hands slightly.  ‘For not freaking out about having to share a room with me, or what the press said, because it would be really easy for you just to say; ew gross, she’s like a sister; and I could have gone to the cruiser to sleep, it would have been no big deal, and I still can because I don’t want it to be awkward, there’s stuff I can do there to stay busy, so it’s okay if you still want me to.’

He looked at her as she rambled, knowing this was a nervous habit of hers, and he thought it was adorable but also that he was lucky she wasn’t on a complete technobabble as he couldn’t understand half of what she said in those circumstances.  ‘Pidge, you’re rambling.’  He said when she stopped for a breath and she pulled a face at herself.

‘Sorry, I was, wasn’t I?’

‘A bit.’  He smiled warmly.  ‘But it’s okay, I really don’t want you to have to go back to the cruiser and you don’t have to thank me for something that helps us both out, so no more worrying about that, alright?’

‘Alright.’  She sighed.  ‘No more worrying about that.’

He narrowed his eyes at her.  ‘Which means you’re going to worry about something else?’

‘I don’t know, maybe.’  She grinned.

He pulled her to a stop before they reached the bar, turning to face her, his hand changing its grip to cup her palm instead of their fingers being laced.  ‘Just try not to worry and actually take some downtime.’

‘That’s rich coming from you.’  She laughed.

‘Yeah, okay, we could both do with taking a step away every now and then.  You with tech and info, me with…’

‘Everything else.’  She said as she poked him in the ribs, making him flinch.

‘Ow, hey!’

‘Good, you two talked.  About time.’  Hunk said as he passed, carrying a plate of food.

‘We talk all the time.’  Pidge said as he drew level with them and paused.

‘Yeah, but I meant about…uh…’  He looked at Keith, rapidly slashing a line across his throat with his finger behind Pidge to get him to shut up.

‘About…?’  Pidge prompted as Hunk looked between them in a panic.

‘Uh…’

‘What’s going on with you two?’  Pidge looked between them suspiciously.

‘Nothing.’  Keith said rapidly, Hunk rushing off before she turned back around.

‘It doesn’t sound like nothing.  Hunk, what…where’d he go?’  She glanced around but he had been lost in the crowd.

‘Let’s get that drink.’  He tried to get her moving again towards the bar but she turned a look on him that he had seen on one other person when incensed; Colleen Holt.

‘How about you tell me what you were supposed to talk to me about?’

‘It’s not important.’  He assured her.

‘You know, when you lie your left eyebrow twitches involuntarily?  Not everyone, just you.  It’s your tell.’  She smiled proudly.  ‘So how about the truth now?’

He sighed deeply as he looked into her eyes.  ‘Not now, maybe we can go for a walk later or something?’

The smile slid from her face as she regarded him cautiously.  ‘Is something wrong?’

‘Not wrong, no.’  He shook his head.

‘You’re scaring me a bit.’

‘I don’t mean to.’  He gave her a brief smile.  ‘I’ll tell you later.’

‘Promise?’

‘Sure.’

‘Good.’  She let him continue to lead her towards the bar, her mind racing as to what he might want to talk to her about.  She didn’t think she had done anything wrong, she was sure the Lions were okay, maybe he wanted her to go walk Kosmo, or any one of the hundreds of other scenarios she had running around her head.  ‘Because you can tell me anything, you know that, right?’

‘Of course.’  He agreed.  ‘But don’t think about it for now.’

‘Easier said than done.  You have to let me have something to think about otherwise I’m going to start reciting pi to a varying degree of decimals.’

‘Please don’t.’  He laughed.

‘Okay, so you’ll have to tell me.’  She shrugged.  ‘Do you think they’ll have a coke?’  She asked as they reached the crowded bar.

‘I’m sure they’ll have coke, if not they can send out for some to keep our heroic green Paladin happy.’

Pidge was about to reply when an alarm went off through the tannoy system, lights in the hallway flashing on and off.  Iverson pulled a radio from his pocket and barked into it, listening intently before he sought out Shiro.

‘Looks like we might be needed.’  Pidge said quietly as she watched the older man reach him.

‘Suit up, Paladins!’  Shiro called as he headed towards the door and, after sharing a look, Keith and Pidge set off after him, Pidge kicking off her shoes to carry so she could keep up not only with the longer gait of the others but the speed.

‘What do we have?’  Keith called to Shiro as they realised they were heading towards the hangar bays.

‘Part of a zaiforge canon has been found and it isn’t deactivated, local authorities fear it might go off.’  Shiro called back.

‘And they need us to power it down.’  Pidge guessed correctly.

‘You got it.  I’ll aid you from the control room.’

‘You can count on us.’  Keith threw him a smile as the corridor diverted along with their paths.

‘I always can.’  Shiro replied.

Notes:

Coming next: operation defuse the zaiforge canon!

Chapter 9: Best Laid Plans

Summary:

The Paladins arrive at the site of the emergency; things don’t quite go according to plan.

Notes:

Well, here we go, another chapter! I figured I owed you as I hadn’t been able to post in a while so here!

Still no word on the laptop but at this point I’m certain the earliest I will get it is tomorrow.

If you get the chance head over to tumblr and check out @piixiefawn. She is an amazing artist and we’ve been talking about a Kidge werewolf/witch au that she came up with! She’s honestly fantastic!

The Lions approached the edge of the safe zone set up by the military, the zaiforge canon power core easily visible in the distance, standing precariously on the edge of a precipice.  It was partially covered with debris from other craft and rocks, but there was no ignoring the lights that still illuminated its surface.

‘That’s, uh, that’s pretty dangerous.’  Hunk commented as they set down.

‘Easy to see why they called us.  You getting this, Shiro?’  Keith asked.

‘I am.  What do you think, Pidge?’

‘Just doing a sweep now.’  Pidge replied as her eyes and fingers flew over floating displays of data and images.

‘Let’s get down there.’  Keith suggested.  ‘Keep doing what you’re doing, Katie.’

‘Will do.’

‘Katie?’  Lance laughed through the comms as Pidge blushed, having not even realised what Keith had called her.  ‘Since when did we start to call her that?’

‘It is my name, Lance.’

‘But no one calls you Katie, Katie.’

‘Shut up.’

‘Can we concentrate?’  Shiro’s voice interrupted them.  ‘Potential catastrophe first.’

‘Yeah, Lance.’

‘Pidge.’

‘Sorry.’  The banter didn’t compromise her task, and she was quickly breaking down the data.

They were greeted as they disembarked by a tall man in his mid-fifties in army uniform, his salt and pepper hair cropped neatly to his head, the lines that edged his eyes enhanced by his worried expression.  ‘Thanks for coming so fast, Paladins.’

‘No problem.’  Keith returned his salute.  ‘What can you tell us?’

‘A construction crew were clearing debris when they uncovered it.  The area is clear of all civilians and personnel, although I doubt we could clear far enough if that thing were to go off.’

‘You’re not wrong.’  Keith agreed.

‘Pidge will work out what we need to do.’  Lance nudged Keith gently from his left.

‘She always does.’

The comms clicked in their ears, Keith and Lance sharing a glance as they wondered what had caused it.

‘Shiro, you still here?’  Pidge asked, having isolated their channel.

‘I’m here, did you cut the others off?’

‘Just for a minute.  I didn’t want the military guys to hear this but the power core has cracks.  It hasn’t ruptured yet but we can’t move it.’

‘Damn.’  Shiro looked at the display of information she had just sent him.  ‘No dragging this out of the atmosphere to diffuse it then?’

‘Nope.’

‘What can we do?’

‘A Galra warship could shut it down completely, but we don’t have one of those lying around, so I’ll have to do it manually.’

‘And how dangerous is that likely to be?’

‘No more than anything else we’ve done over the years.’

‘So, very?’

She sighed.  ‘Yeah, very.  The structure it’s on is very unstable, any small sudden shift in weight could easily send it over the edge and that would be catastrophic.’

‘Could one of the Lions pick it up or hold it steady?’

Pidge shook her head.  ‘No.  The exterior is breached in such a way that any pressure could cause a chain reaction that set it to self destruct.’

‘You plan on going in there, don’t you?’

‘I’m the smallest, lightest, and the only one who knows how to shut this down, so, yeah.’  She transferred the information to her wrist computer and got up from her seat.

‘Then take someone with you, please?’

‘That could be risky.’

‘I’d feel better knowing you weren’t alone.’  A new voice came over the comms and she bit back a groan.

‘Dad, it’s fine.’

Sam gave Shiro a look that said he knew just how stubborn his daughter could be.  ‘Take someone with you who can offer you backup if you need it.’

‘Fine.’  She knew she had lost the argument already, and there would be no point in arguing once the rest of the team knew.  Zethrid and Ezor had been right when they chose her to torture as coercion for the rest of the team.  She was the youngest, the weak link, the least she could do was be useful when occasions such as this called for it.

She clicked the comms back to include everyone as she walked down the ramp from Green, seeing the team turn to watch her.  ‘I need to get in there.’  She stated.

‘Too dangerous.’  Keith shook his head.

‘That’s as may be, but it’s the only way to disarm this thing completely.’  She brought up the breakdown of the core.  ‘There are multiple fissures in the core itself, and while they aren’t leaking it would be too risky to try and transport it.  It needs to be disarmed on the ground.’

‘She needs a volunteer to go with her.’  Shiro said, reminding her that she wasn’t to go alone by taking the choice away from her.

‘I’ll do it.’  Keith said immediately.  ‘After Pidge I’m the most agile and I can help if she needs to access any Galra tech.’

‘Then make your preparations.’  Shiro replied, glad that Keith had taken the role.  If anyone fit the criteria it would be him.

‘I’m almost set.’  Pidge told them.  She brought up a schematic of the core and surrounding area.  ‘If we go in here it gives us the course of least resistance and puts us not to far from where I need to be.  The ground around this side of the unit is unstable, Hunk, I need you and Yellow on that side to bolster it if it starts to give way.’

‘Got it.’

‘Lance, Allura,’ Keith added, ‘be ready to evacuate the military personnel in case the core breaches or even begins to leak significantly.  We need to be prepared for any eventuality.’

‘I’ll send the scan output to each of you so you can watch for signs of leaks too, although I should be alerted to even the smallest of shifts in the surface.’  Pidge did so as she spoke.  ‘And we can only go so far by any sort of vehicle because of the unstable ground.’

‘So we go on foot.’  Keith nodded his understanding.  ‘We all have our tasks, let’s get to them.’

Lance gave Keith a nudge with his elbow before heading back to Red.  Keith glared at the back of his head before turning back to Pidge who was engrossed in the screen on her arm.

‘Ready?’  He asked her.

‘Sure.  Let me just…okay.’  She nodded to herself and lowered her arm, the screen disappearing.  ‘Let’s roll out.  Or walk out.  No wheels.’

Keith suppressed a chuckle before they set off through the barricades together with a final nod at the army officer.  It would take almost ten minutes to reach the core, more if they had to watch where they stepped, and Pidge began to hum into the silence hanging around them, her head moving from side to side as the display in her helmet showed her details of the ground around them.

Keith finally couldn’t take the silence any more and had to speak.  ‘When I suggested we go for a walk this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.’

Pidge smirked up at him briefly before returning to checking the ground.  ‘I’m kinda glad about that.  Planning a walk to an unstable power core isn’t the most friendly gesture.’

‘Definitely not what I planned.’

‘So what did you have planned?’  She asked as she looped her arm through his and guided him several feet to the right before releasing him again.  ‘Unstable ground.’  She explained.

‘Right.  And I’m not sure.  Maybe to the Grand Canyon, or Black could have taken us to a beach in no time.’

‘You have a thing for arid places, right?’

‘Not really.’  He said hesitantly.  ‘Why?’

‘Deserts, beaches, all arid.’

‘But beaches have the ocean, the Grand Canyon has the Colorado River.’

‘Okay, not entirely dry.  But you did have a shack out in the middle of the desert when we first met.’

‘That was me obsessing over the Kerberos mission, not the sand.’

‘Right.’  She nodded, realising he had out logicked her gentle teasing.  ‘Which means it’s not sand you have a thing for.’

He smiled to himself as he watched her concentration.  ‘No, not sand.’

‘Good, because that would be weird.  Stop.’  She put her arm out across him.  ‘I need you to follow me exactly, okay?’

‘Okay.’  He replied.

She operated her pack and flew over an area around eight feet across before landing carefully and stepping diagonally with precision.  ‘Land where I landed.’  Keith did as she suggested with ease as she continued to scan the area ahead.  ‘Just to be sure, maybe you should follow in my tracks.  There are a few underground fissures here leading away from the core and I can’t tell how stable they are.’

‘I’ll follow your lead.’

They waved as Hunk flew past in Yellow to get into position and continued until they reached the core, towering above them and pulsing with a purple glow that illuminated them both eerily in the oncoming twilight.

‘There.’  Pidge pointed to an opening in the shell of the core about thirty feet above them.  ‘The controls are at the top so if we go in there we can make our way up to them.’

‘You want me to lead?’  Keith offered.

‘Sure.’  She shrugged.  ‘It doesn’t matter the order we go in so long as we don’t disturb it.’

‘Okay.  Team, we’re going in.  Watch for any signs of changes to the core and surrounding area.  Pidge and I will concentrate on not disturbing the site and shutting it down.’

The team all gave affirmative responses as Keith set off for the opening, landing carefully while he waited for any shift in the core’s stability.

‘You’re good.  No movement.’  Lance told them and Pidge joined Keith in the opening, glancing around inside as her helmet took readings.

‘There’s the terminal.’  Pidge pointed to where it sat at a ninety degree angle from where the floor should be, the core essentially on its end.

‘Then what are we waiting for?’

They set off, each firing off their packs to separate way points where they could recharge for a moment before heading to the next, the structure unmoving under their gentle footfalls until Pidge could perch in a crouch on the edge of the terminal, Keith operating it before she began her scan.

‘Okay, should be a simple matter.’  She said as her wrist display showed her what she needed to know.  ‘Just a few doboshes and it will be offline.’

‘Good work, Pidge.’  Shiro said, sharing a proud smile with Sam.

‘What, like it’s hard?’  She smirked as she tapped over the data, Keith giving a snort of laughter at how smug she was about her talents, and deservedly so.  She glanced up at the sound of his amusement and he smiled at her before averting his eyes as though he hadn’t been staring at her from his position on one of the supports surrounding the core, which was when his eyes spotted something below.

‘Uh, anyone picking up movement from within the core?’  He asked as he tried to get a better look at the shadows that seemed to move, uncertain of whether it was his eyes playing tricks on him or not.

‘Nothing from the ground.’  Hunk sounded off.  ‘Seismically or from the core.’

‘I don’t pick anything up.’  Allura added.

‘No heat signatures or shifts in weight that I can see.’  Lance said.  ‘Hallucinating now, mullet?’

‘Quiet!’  Keith hissed.  ‘How’s it coming, Pidge?’  He asked quietly, his eyes still trained on the darkness below.

‘There’s some damage to the controls, I’m having to reroute slightly to make it behave, but it can be shut down easy enough, it might just take a dobosh or two more to…’

‘Look out!’  Keith leapt in front of Pidge and called both his shield and Bayard as purple beams lanced around them.

‘Keith, what have we got?’  Shiro yelled.

‘Drones!  Looks like one squad!’  He replied, holding his position as Pidge continued to work.

‘Can you take care of it or do you need an assist?’

‘I can hold them off.’

‘I’ll be able to help you get rid of them once I power this down.’  Pidge said casually, only half paying attention as she worked.

‘Getting rid of them isn’t my worry.’  Keith said as he deflected more beams.  ‘It’s stopping them from disturbing the core or destroying it!’

‘Just another couple of…’  Pidge’s voice trailed off as she heard something over the sound of laser fire.  ‘What was that?’

‘Uh, guys,’ Hunk started, ‘the ground out here is starting to crumble at the edges!’

‘In a big way?’  Pidge asked as she increased her efforts despite already working at what she had thought was capacity.

‘Just small rocks at the moment, but the cracks are spreading!’

‘Pidge, estimate on the shutdown?’  Keith asked desperately.

‘Quicker if you all stop throwing questions at me!’  She replied sternly as she watched the progress bar on the display.

‘Keith, do you need an assist?’  Shiro asked again.

‘I don’t think bringing anyone else in here is…’  He was cut off as the structure shifted with a jolt, leaving him in need of shifting his position to save himself from slipping.

Pidge wasn’t so lucky, her crouch precarious on the edge of the console and she slid with a yelp as she scrambled to get some purchase, finally stopping when her feet hit the rail around the core.  She immediately threw up her own shield, protecting herself from more beams as she used her pack to propel herself back to the console.  ‘Almost there!’  She watched the progress bar reached one hundred percent.  ‘Done!’  She shifted position so she stood beside Keith, creating a larger wall with their shields together as the power core flickered off then back on again.

‘Shouldn’t the lights be staying out?’  Keith leant towards her.

‘They should have…quiznak!’  She ran another scan and looked at the results.  ‘The damn thing has rebooted instead of shutting down!  It must have more damage somewhere in its circuitry!  Crossed wires or something!’

‘Can you fix it?’

‘What kind of a question is that?’  She pulled a disappointed face at him.  ‘Cover me!’  She called her Bayard and threw the grapple up to the highest point, pulling herself after it.

‘Pidge!’  Keith called after her as a proportion of the beams followed her, but she was faster, part being dragged, part running up the power core, to where it met the ship.

Outside in the crevasse, Hunk carefully edged Yellow near enough that even the smallest of shifts would rest it on her back, taking the risk of it falling away.

‘I’m in position, guys, but if the rock face gives underneath there’s no way to be gentle.  It’s catch it any way possible or let it go.’

‘If it goes, catch it!’  Keith replied, preparing his Bayard as some of the drones climbing the interior began to close in.

‘No!’  Pidge yelled.  ‘If it goes just let it!  Get yourself out of here!  The power is low enough it won’t have a huge blast radius, there’s no point losing any more of us than we have to!’

‘Katie!’  Sam’s voice came over the communicators as Pidge swung herself to stand on top of the core.

‘No, Dad, not now!’  She snapped, pulling her Bayard tight around the point where the core reached the casing.  ‘I’m hoping to have the power out in just a second or two.  Keith?’

‘Talk to me!’

‘Be ready on my mark to get the quiznak out of here!  And that’s on my mark, not after it, not waiting for a sign!  The second I say it you get out!’

‘What about you?’

‘I’ll be right behind you!’

‘You’d better be.’  He murmured.

‘Get ready!’  She called, ensuring her Bayard was pulled completely taut and held it in a two handed grip.  ‘Now!’  She yelled as she jumped backwards, letting her weight pull the Bayard tighter, burning through the metal as her body swung in an arc.  Keith flew by as her grapple cleared the metal, the purple of the core suddenly dimming, the only illumination coming from the lasers still being fired, and she quickly fired her pack to change her direction after him.  ‘The core is powered down!’

‘Good job!’  Shiro said.  ‘Now get out of there, both of you!’

‘Working on it!’  Keith replied as he shoved his sword through the metal casing around the core.  ‘The way in is blocked off, we need to make our own exit!’

‘I’ve got our backs.’  Pidge kept her shield up as the drones grew closer, at least a dozen in various positions with partial cover.  ‘You make us a door.’

Keith carved away the metal as Pidge continued to deflect shot after shot from behind and below them, the core shifting again enough for them to feel the clang as it came to rest on Yellow’s back.

‘I’ve got you, but I don’t know how long for!’  Hunk called.

‘Multiple fissures appearing all around the area!’  Allura warned.  ‘They run down for several miles.  I don’t think there’s anything we can do to stop that now!’

‘The precipice is clear, if it falls that’s all it does, makes a dent in the landscape, so long as there are no Paladins aboard to leave a stain of course!’  Hunk reminded them to get the hell out.

‘Working on it!’  Keith replied through gritted teeth.

‘Switch places!’  Pidge suggested.  ‘You defend, I’ll see if I can get my grapple through it.’

‘On three?’

‘Okay.’

‘One, two, three!’  Keith activated his shield as Pidge dropped hers, shoving her Bayard into the gap Keith had made and beginning to drag it down and around.  ‘It was nearly big enough for you to get through!’  Keith called over his shoulder.  ‘Go as soon as you can!’

‘Now you really are being stupid.’  She replied as she kicked at the metal and enlarged the gap further.  ‘I think we’re good to go!’

‘Then go!’

‘Not alone!  Come on!’  She reached back and grabbed his arm, giving it a tug.  ‘Together, Keith, please!’

He glanced back at her pleading expression before giving a brief nod.  ‘Together.’  He turned his arm so he could grip hers in much the same way before pushing off to the gap, Pidge to one side of it.

‘You go first.’  She insisted.  ‘You’re bigger and will need the cover behind you because you’ll take longer.’

‘I hate your logic.’  He flashed her a quick smile before going about it, sidling through the tight gap without too much trouble.  ‘C’mon, Katie.’  He offered her his hand from outside which she took without question, allowing him to guide her as much as he could while she continued to shield the rear.  She quickly reached a point where she had to lower the shield or remain stuck, and she decided to go for the former, waiting for what she hoped would be a long enough gap in firing for her to get out.

‘Pull me when I say!’  She called to him, not taking her eyes off the enemy.  ‘Now!’  She deactivated the shield and Keith pulled her towards him rapidly.

‘I see them, they’re clear!’  Hunk’s voice came over the comms as Keith’s arm wrapped around Pidge’s waist, his grip on a broken piece of the outer shell keeping them stable.

‘What do we do about the drones?’  Lance asked as Pidge huffed sigh of relief at being free.

‘We need some way to destroy them without cause extra damage.’  Keith said as he helped Pidge find herself a hand hold.  ‘Is the core at any risk of exploding now, Pidge?’

She turned to find their helmets just millimetres from one another and she swallowed when she realised how close they were, how his arm still curved around her like it fit there.  ‘Uh…no…I mean not exploding, but leaking there’s still a big chance.  It won’t do any major damage but will need containing in case something ignites it.’

‘Sounds like we need to do it the old fashioned way.’  Lance said.  ‘If they crawl out after you then we can just pick them off.’

‘That’s an option.’  Keith agreed.  ‘Let me and Pidge get back to Green and Black first.  Maybe we can get the core onto more stable ground and flush them out.’

Pidge nodded.  ‘That sounds like a…argh!’  A shot from inside caught her in the shoulder, knocking her back and out from Keith’s arms, her back hitting the metal of the core before she began sliding down it.

‘Pidge!’  Keith screamed as he lunged towards her, firing his pack to increase his speed as she fell away from him.

Pidge turned in the air as she fired her pack, slowing her fall and bringing her around to face Keith again, but her eyes went wide as she looked beyond him.  The core was shifting, despite Hunk and Yellow’s best efforts, the rock face below quickly falling in a landslide that dislodged the core entirely.

‘Keith, look out!’  Pidge yelped as Hunk brought Yellow around to try and stabilise the core again as it slipped sideways, rocks flying in every direction as though fired from a canon, the speed not far from the truth with the pressure they had been under.

Keith barely had time to turn when a rock the size of a bowling ball hit him in the hip, sending his trajectory off as more rocks glanced off and around him.  The blows were lessened by his armour but still hurt, and were enough to prevent his progress any further, fighting hard to stay in control.  He felt he had finally got himself stable again when a wrong turn put him in the path of a large rock, hitting his helmet hard enough to jar it into his head, rendering him unconscious, his pack switching off immediately.

Pidge watched in horror as Keith began to drop and threw her Bayard, catching him around the waist and pulling him into her arms before throwing the Bayard once more to catch around Yellow’s leg, pulling them both to shelter.

‘Hunk, we’re on your left flank, don’t make any sudden moves!’  She called through the comms as she fought to hold Keith’s dead weight one armed.

‘I have to move, this thing is coming down!’  He replied worriedly.  ‘Can you get to the mouth?’

‘I, uh, don’t think I can move without dropping Keith!  He’s unconscious!’  She glanced from the man in her arms to where her Bayard held them in place.

‘You have to do something!  Hold on tight maybe?’

‘Just stay in position for two ticks!’  Allura’s voice came over the comms.  ‘Green just set off, I assume to come to your aid.’

‘Good girl, Green.’  Pidge murmured and received a roar as reply as Green flew into the crevasse, mouth open welcomingly until she hovered below Pidge and Keith.  She breathed out a sigh as she retracted her Bayard, wrapping her other arm around Keith as she lowered them to safety, the jaws closing around them before she ran up the ramp to the cockpit, leaving Keith where he was for now.  ‘Okay, Hunk, get this thing down.  Allura, Lance, we need to take out the drones but I think Keith needs medical attention.’

‘Take him back to base, Pidge.’  Lance advised.  ‘We’ll clear out the drones.’

‘Thanks, guys.’  Pidge turned away from Yellow and set coordinates for the Garrison before engaging the autopilot.  ‘Take us home, girl, I need to check on Keith.’  She ran back down the ramp, finding Keith hadn’t moved.  His armour was scratched from the rocks and she rolled him onto his back, gasping in pain as she was reminded she had not only been shot in the last few minutes but that she had also pushed her body, the adrenaline that had allowed her to ignore her injury so far ebbing away as they headed to safety.

Glancing over Keith, she found a bloodied smear on the inside of his helmet from a wound in his temple and, after a quick body scan to ensure he had no injuries she couldn’t see, she removed his helmet and checked his breathing, ensuring his airway was clear.  Finding him for the most part okay, other than what would probably prove to be a mild concussion, she sat back crosslegged and looked at him as she caught her breath.  Boy, today had been a shit show.

Notes:

Coming next: Keith wakes up in the infirmary.

Chapter 10: Bruises and Head Wounds

Summary:

Keith wakes up in the medical wing.

Notes:

Wow! Three chapters in one week! That's unusual for me, even with my buffer!

Anyway, hi! A brief update, my laptop is on its way back to the shop so I should have it back within days! hurrah! That will make writing a whole lot easier!!!

The first thing Keith became aware of was a strange metallic taste in his mouth.  It was reminiscent of stale blood, he had had his fair share of scrapes to be familiar with the taste, but he didn’t remember actually being in an up close fight, even as his mind tried to sort through the confusion of what he remembered.  When it came back to him, it did so in a flood.  The zaiforge canon power core, the drones, Pidge being hit…Pidge!

‘You’re all good, you’re safe!’

A hand touched his arm and his eyes caught up with his body, realising he was in a bed in the Garrison hospital wing.  His heart was racing, his head spinning, but he needed to know.

‘Pidge?’

‘I’m here.’

He turned his head and realised the hand touching his arm was joined to the girl in question, and she smiled softly at him, looking none the worse for wear, other than tired.  She was wearing a black tank top and blue jeans, but her hair was still flattened in places from her helmet.

‘You’re alright.’  He breathed as her hand put a gentle pressure on his arm to make him lay back again.

‘I’m fine.  You will be too, if you actually rest some.’

He ignored her trying to get him to recline again and pushed himself up in the bed so he could only sit up.  ‘What happened?’

She took her arm back and gave him an irritated look.  ‘Are you going to lay back down or not?’

‘Not.’

‘Then shuffle down so we can raise the bed properly, at least you can lean back.’  She waved one hand as she picked up the bed control and began doing what she suggested while Keith rearranged himself once more.  ‘How’s your head?’

‘My head?’  He reached up to where his temple felt sticky and found a gauze.  It suddenly started to sting, as though acknowledging the wound had made it come to life.  ‘What did I do?’

‘Do?  Nothing.  Done to you?  You got hit by one of the rocks flying out from under the core.’  She put down the bed control and started rearranging his pillows, this time placing her hand on his sternum and pushing hard enough he knew she wasn’t messing around.

He sat back, mostly to placate her, but his head was also pounding and resting in the pillows helped.  He watched her as she moved pillows, checking he was comfortable, then pulled the blankets around him until she was satisfied.  ‘Are you okay?’

‘Me?’  She looked up at him before perching on the side of the bed with one leg bent, the other dangling.  ‘Yeah, I’m fine.  You scared the crap out of me though.’

‘I didn’t meant to.’

She shrugged dismissively.  ‘I’m used to it by now.’

‘You’re avoiding my question.’

‘I didn’t avoid anything.’  She wrinkled her nose in confusion and it was cute as hell.  Keith wasn’t sure if he had been given any medication or if she just had that effect on him, but it was all he could do not to reach out and pull her towards him and… ‘You asked if I’m okay, and I am.’

‘I saw you get shot.’  He argued.

‘My armour protected me.  See?’  She pulled the shoulder of her tank top away, showing nothing but a bruise he hadn’t even noticed the edges to around her strap.

‘It’s not sore?’  He reached up and brushed the mottled skin with his fingertips, not noticing Pidge’s breath stutter at the contact.

‘No more than any other bruise.’  She said quietly before he swallowed and took his hand back, having not realised he was effectively stroking her.

‘Uh…what happened?  After..?’

‘After you took a rock to the head?’  She teased lightly.  ‘Green brought us back to the Garrison.  Lance, Hunk, and Allura were finishing off the drones, and Dad and Matt have gone out to make sure the core is secure.’

‘You think it might not be?’  He frowned, knowing it wasn’t like her to do half a job.

She shook her head.  ‘No, but it doesn’t hurt to be certain.  We were in kind of a hurry and I might have missed something.’

‘I’ve never known you to miss something.’  He smiled at her encouragingly.

‘No, I guess not, and I did sever the core, but I’d still rather it was checked properly, and a team were going to have to go out and secure the site, so may as well have it checked fully.’

He nodded, a stabbing pain momentarily lancing through his head at the movement, making him flinch.

‘Does it hurt?’  She asked with a worried frown.

‘Just when I nod.’

‘So no more saying yes for you.’  She laughed.  ‘But seriously, if you hadn’t come after me, you’d be fine.’

‘What was I supposed to do?’  He quirked her an eyebrow.  ‘I just saw you get shot and fall into the precipice.’

‘How about trust I know how to get out of something like that, just like I have, uh, hundreds of times in the last five years?’

‘I do trust you, Katie.’

‘You keep calling me that.’  She gave him a small smile and shifted to sit crosslegged.

‘It’s your name.’  He shrugged, flinching as his head spiked again.

‘Hah!  No shrugging for you either!’  She pointed at him.  ‘If we can stop you saying no then we have the set.’

‘Haha.’  He said sarcastically.  ‘Listen, this isn’t exactly how I thought tonight would go…’

‘To be fair it’s better than I thought.  Getting shot at was better than the party.’

‘I didn’t exactly plan on ending the night back in the medical wing.’

‘At least now you don’t have to share a bed with me.  I’m told I talk in my sleep.’  She wrinkled her nose.  ‘And I stay up late with ideas, and tinkering.  That would get annoying real fast.’

‘I don’t sleep much either, you know that.’

‘Yeah, you’re so hardcore.’  She grinned.  ‘But at least try get some sleep while you’re in here.’

‘You mean they aren’t going to discharge me tonight?’  He pulled a face of disappointment.

‘You think they’re going to let you just walk out of here with a mild concussion?  You’re a hero, Keith, they aren’t going to let you walk until they’re one hundred percent certain you’re okay.’

‘Maybe I’ll discharge myself.’

‘Don’t be a stubborn idiot about this.’  She leant forward and brushed his hair away from the gauze on his head.  ‘I know it’ll break the habit of a lifetime, but you have to try, just this once.’

Keith resisted the urge to turn into her hand, it felt so natural to do so, as did the desire to kiss her palm, but she took her hand back and tucked her hair behind her ear before putting it in her lap with the other.  ‘I’ll try, but only because you asked so nicely.’

She smiled at him, her genuine grin he found adorable, and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.  ‘Come in.’

The door opened and Shiro came in, still wearing the suit he had to the party when he had run to the communications room for the mission.  ‘You’re awake.’  He smiled as he came to stand behind Pidge, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder.  ‘Is he behaving?’

Pidge snorted a laugh.  ‘When does he ever?’

‘Hey, I’m still in bed!’  Keith said defensively.

‘Yeah, but who threatened not two minutes ago to discharge himself?’

‘I was…joking?’  He tried.

‘Okay, kids, no fighting.’  Shiro said diplomatically.

‘See, this is why we call you space dad.’  Pidge looked up at him.

‘Well, this space dad will tell your real dad if you don’t go get some sleep, young lady.’

‘I’m not scared of him.’  She said as she unfolded her legs to hang over the side.

‘Then I’ll tell your mom.’

Pidge pulled a face.  ‘Yeah, that could work.  She’s way scarier.’

‘Tell me about it.’  Shiro laughed.  ‘Go get some sleep.  We’re meeting the envoys at nine sharp.’

‘Yeah, okay.’  She said suppressing a yawn as she hopped down and stretched.  ‘See you in the morning, guys.  Sleep well.’  She waved to them both and headed out, closing the door behind her.

‘You still didn’t talk to her.’  Shiro shook his head and turned back to Keith.

‘I haven’t had the chance.’

‘You’ve had plenty of chances, you just haven’t taken them.’  Shiro pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.  ‘You know she hasn’t left your side since you got back?’

‘I can’t have been out that long.’  Keith said defensively.

‘Long enough.  It’s almost two am.’

‘It’s what?’  Keith asked in disbelief.  ‘You mean she stayed with me for over five hours?’

‘Well over.’  Shiro folded his arms, and it still seemed weird to Keith with his new floating limb.  ‘She wouldn’t do that if she didn’t like you.’

‘She’s just being…’

‘If you say nice I will slap you up the side of your head.’

‘Kind.’

‘Still slappable.’  Shiro replied.  ‘Get some rest, I’m going to do the same once I’ve spoken to your doctor, see if we can get you discharged by morning.  But for God’s sake, talk to her!  You held hands throughout the party and you can’t even ask her to do it for real?’

‘It’s not easy.’  Keith folded his arms and sunk down in his pillows.

‘You want me to do it for you?’

‘No!’  He went wide eyed in horror.

‘Then do it or I will.’  Shiro got to his feet.  ‘It’ll be fine, Keith, I promise.  She adores you.’

‘I adore her.’  He replied simply.

‘Then don’t waste any more time.  I’ll be back in time for your discharge.’

‘Alright.  Goodnight, Shiro.’

Shiro smiled and left, leaving Keith with more on his mind than he could remember in a long time.

Notes:

Coming next: Meet the envoys!

Chapter 11: Meeting Liliana

Summary:

A brief first meeting with one of the envoys, and Pidge needs to sleep. As always.

Notes:

Hi all!

Well, here's another chapter! You briefly meet Liliana here, but she will be here again in the next one a bit more! Until then, enjoy!

Pidge used the keycard to access their room just as the elevator sounded behind her.  She wondered who else could be around at that time of night so hung back, slipping the card back in her pocket and acting as though she was looking for it.  One of the Garrison walked by her to the next room along, leading a young woman carrying a briefcase and wheeling a suitcase.  She was a little taller than Pidge, maybe a couple of inches, with shoulder length brown hair holding a slight curl.  She was pretty, dressed smartly, and well turned out.  Pidge raised her hand and offered her a small wave as she took out her keycard, the woman waving back with a hesitant smile a moment later.  Pidge let herself in and put the moment out of her mind the second she saw Keith’s belongings where he had left them.  There weren’t many, he was notoriously neat and tidy, but he had left small traces.  They had had coffee before they changed and his cup sat beside hers.  His boots sat by the dresser, his jacket hung on the back of one of the two chairs.  She had been so nervous about sharing a room with him and now he wasn’t here all she could do was think about how much she missed him.  She was glad he was okay but all she could see was the moment the rock face gave way, throwing rocks into the air at a speed similar to that of debris from an explosion, the many smaller pieces striking Keith before he was hit in the helmet hard enough for him to strike his head.  It was etched in her mind in terrifying slow motion, her only thought being to get him out of there as fast as she possibly could, somewhere safe, and she had, but the memory of blood on the inside of his helmet still replayed for her.

‘Should have brought that second drink back with me.’  She murmured as she kicked off her boots before slipping out of her jeans and pulling on some shorts to sleep in.  She went about her bedroom routine and grabbed her laptop, pulling back the covers and getting comfortable.  There was always something for her to do, always things she could improve on, and it kept her mind busy.

Pidge was nudged awake from her sleep and she grumbled, wondering why she was laying on her side with her legs crossed.  She shoved at the hand doing the poking on her arm before wiping at her eyes, finding them gritty and sore.

‘You stayed up how late working on what this time?’  Lance’s voice was what made her finally focus.

‘Ten more minutes, Lance.’  She groaned, straightening her legs, every joint complaining about having been in the same position so long.

‘Ten more minutes is how long you have until we’ve got to meet the envoys.’

‘Unngggg.’  Was all Pidge could manage before pulling the blankets over her head.

‘Come on, up.’  He pulled on her ankle and narrowly avoided being kicked for his trouble.  Time for drastic measures.  ‘Wow, and I thought you’d want to be the first to know about a downturn in Mullet’s condition.’

Pidge sat up so rapidly she fell out of the bed by Lance’s feet, her eyes wide and now fully awake.  ‘What downturn?  What happened?  Is he alright?’

‘He’s fine.’  Lance laughed.  ‘He’s already at the meeting room.  Looks better than you do.’

She kicked him in the ankle before getting up, not really for damage but for effect.  ‘What time is it?’

‘I told you, ten to nine.  Shiro told me to come find you.  You missed breakfast and you know he always says it’s the most important meal of the day.’

‘I’m going to shower.  Send my apologies, I’ll be, like, five minutes late.’  She said as she headed towards the bathroom and spotted a tray on the table, a single plate covered in a silver dome with two insulated sealed mugs on the side.  ‘You brought me breakfast?’  She stopped and looked back at him where he was now making her bed like some weird domesticated big brother.

‘Of course.  You won’t eat otherwise.’

She raised the dome and found two slices of peanut butter on toast.  ‘Oh my God, Lance, I love you!’  She grabbed a piece and took a bite, delighted to find it was still warm.

‘No you don’t, my hair is far too stylish for your tastes, you far prefer someone…’

‘Yeah, okay, shut up.’  She took the plate and slammed the bathroom door, choosing to ignore him for now.

She showered in record time, taking a bite of toast between each application or rinsing, and she was able to immediately brush her teeth and came out of the bathroom towelling herself off, only to squeal when she realised Lance was still there.

‘What the hell?’  She yelled.  ‘Why are you still here?’

‘One of the coffees is mine.’  He toasted her with the cup from where he sat at the table.  ‘I got your uniform out, packed up your laptop, you’re all good to go.’

‘You’re being unusually helpful.’  She narrowed her eyes at him as she tried to subtly get out clean underwear.

‘I just think it will be hilarious if we both show up to the meeting together and you still have wet hair.  I can just imagine Keith’s face!’  He laughed.

She responded by throwing her hair towel at him before grabbing her uniform and going back into the bathroom to dress.  When she emerged her hair was still giving the occasional drip but had been brushed, flatter and longer than Lance was used to seeing, and she grabbed her boots, taking a seat and pulling them on without a word, then grabbing the coffee, the keycard, her laptop bag, and walking out the door, not even waiting to see if Lance was following.

Notes:

Coming tomorrow - the meeting with the envoys.

Chapter 12: Itineraries and Envoys

Summary:

Meet the envoys.

Notes:

Hey everyone!

Let me tell you, I really enjoyed writing this, the teasing banter between Pidge and Lance was so much fun! Also, it's your first proper meeting with Liliana! Be gentle with her!

Liliana Cooper was nervous.  No, she was N.E.R.V.O.U.S.   Fully capitalised, bold, underscored, punctuated, and italicised.  This was her first time on any kind of posting, her first time being given an official capacity through her university on the recommendation of her professor.   She was only twenty-three and the youngest person to have been offered such a position, she was proud of herself, but also very far out of her comfort zone.  She felt sick, and hungry, and anxious, not to mention tired.  Her flight had been delayed due to some sort of emergency at the Garrison, meaning she had arrived in the early hours, leaving her less time to sleep and prepare than she would have liked.  Not that she wasn’t prepared, of course.  Her professor knew she was more than capable and the ideal candidate to work as an envoy with the universe-saving Paladins of Voltron, however he hoped she could overcome her shyness and do what he knew she could.  Her job was to work closely with one of the Paladins, she had been assigned Lance McClain, the pilot of the Red Lion, and while she was to aid him in as much as an assistant would, she was also to compile a report, noting any unusual behaviour to be put in their personnel files and reviewed by the chain of command.

The conference room was bustling with other envoys and Garrison members, Liliana spotted Iverson easily, having met him briefly during video conferences, as well as almost all of the Paladins, the two Alteans standing out the most.  She tried not to stare, even though they were probably used to it by now, it still wasn’t polite, and she wandered around the table until she found her seat, putting her bag on the large table before pouring herself a glass of the water in front of her seat.

‘Liliana Cooper, right?’  A tall, handsome man in Garrison uniform offered her his hand, which she took.  ‘Sergeant Edward Jameson, at your service.  I’m acting as envoy to Captains Holt and Kogane.’

‘Of course, a pleasure to meet you.’  She said politely as he released her hand.

‘Are you ready for this meeting?’

‘I think so.’  She nodded.  ‘Although it’s my first time in anything even close to this position.’

‘I think we all are.’  He assured her.  ‘No one has ever done what the Paladins did so we’re setting new standards all round.  A lot of guesswork.’

‘I suppose you’re right.’  She agreed before checking her watch.  ‘It’s almost time to start.’

‘We’re just waiting on the last couple of Paladins.  Their mission kept them out late last night.’

She nodded her understanding, not knowing what else to say, but their conversation came to an end when the youngest Paladin arrived, hair still wet from the shower with a travel mug in her hand, and saluting to the Iverson, closely followed by Liliana’s own charge, Lance McClain.  She recognised him from his personnel file, but it hadn’t done justice to just how handsome he was.  She blushed faintly and averted her gaze; that wasn’t why she was here.  She needed to remain professional.

‘Now that we’re all here.’  Iverson said gruffly as Pidge briefly embraced Sam.  ‘Take a seat.’

‘Allocated seating?’  Pidge murmured to Shiro as he was nearest, having been in conversation with Sam.

‘It means you get to know your envoy.’  Shiro explained.

‘Right.’  Pidge gave an upwards nod of her head as she left him at his seat, walking past the woman she had seen in the early hours with a small smile of acknowledgement.

‘Captain Holt.’  A tall, handsome man with neat sandy blond hair thrust his hand at her as she realised he was addressing her, not Sam.  ‘I’m Edward Jameson, but you know that, don’t you?’

‘Right, from back when we were in the Garrison cadets together.’  She shook his hand as Keith approached from the opposite direction.  ‘I’m surprised you remember me.’

‘It was a long time ago, but I’m not likely to forget the cadet who disappeared.’  He smiled at her.

‘One of three, actually.’  She took back her hand and moved to her seat.  ‘And you and I weren’t exactly familiar back then.’

‘I was a bit of a jerk.  Hi, Edward Jameson.’  He turned and held his hand out for Keith.  ‘Welcome back to Earth, Captain Kogane.’

‘Thanks.’  Keith said simply before taking his seat beside Pidge.

‘How’s your head?’

‘How did you sleep?’  They asked simultaneously, and Pidge laughed.  ‘They took the gauze off.’  He turned his head so he could show her the neat sutures.

‘It doesn’t look too bad.’  She wrinkled her nose as she examined it.  ‘At least you showered the blood out of your hair now.’

‘Looks like you only just showered yourself.’  He remarked on her wet hair.

‘I slept in.’  She said dismissively.

‘I found her asleep on her side with her legs still crossed and her laptop still in position.’  Lance said as he passed them both.

‘Tell tale.’  Pidge cast him a glare as she took out her laptop.

‘Truth teller.  We all look out for you, short stack, and you aren’t the best at sleeping.’

‘There’s too much other stuff to be done.’  She replied as Lance reached Liliana, his body stilling as he took her in.

‘Whoa.’  He murmured under his breath.

‘Mr, uh, Captain McClain?  I’m Liliana Cooper, your envoy.’  She offered him her delicate hand and he just continued to stare at her until Pidge kicked the back of his leg, snapping him out of it.

‘Cooper!  Right, Lance McClain!’  He thrust his hand into her waiting one.  ‘I had no idea you’d be so…uh…so…’

‘English?’  Pidge suggested.

‘English!  What?  No!’  He glared at the smirking Paladin.  ‘You’re…just not what I was expecting.  It’s good to meet you.’

‘And you.  Shall we?’  She asked, a blush marring her pale skin as she indicated to their chairs.

‘Smooth, sharpshooter.’  Pidge whispered.

‘Shut up, mullet lover.’  Lance grumbled as he sat and Pidge laughed to herself.

Iverson stood at the head of the table and a respectful silence fell over the room, every eye on him.

‘Thank you.’  He glanced around, making eye contact with everyone he could.  ‘This meeting is to introduce all the envoys to their charges and answer any questions, clear up what their positions do and do not cover, as well as go over the schedule of events for the next week.’

Pidge only half listened as she opened her laptop and opened the program she had been working on before she fell asleep.  Keith watched her out of the corner of his eye before turning his chair so he leant towards her, his elbow on the table.

‘What are you working on?’  He asked quietly, knowing no one was unfamiliar with Pidge’s penchant for multitasking.

She shifted her position slightly so she was nearer to him.  ‘Just some improvements I want to try on Green, plus it might work on Black too.’  She turned the laptop slightly so he could see what she was running through.

‘That’s good.’  He smiled at her, her stomach flip flopping at how close he was and what he did to her.  ‘Want to go try it later?  I need to check on Kosmo anyway.’

‘And the fuzzies.’

‘Are the two of you done date planning?’  Iverson said loudly and they both glanced up, Pidge quickly closing the laptop.

‘Just going over some technical data for the Lions.’  Keith told him as Pidge sunk down in her seat and blushed heavily.  ‘It can wait.’

‘Good.  Each of you will be sent an itinerary of those scheduled events, travel plans, and after this there will be the opportunity for you to get to know your envoys a little better.  McClain and Garrett, you will start with your home countries and span out across the globe; Kogane and Holt will go to Italy; Princess Allura, you and Captain Shirogane will start with North America.  Each territory has their own events for you to attend including personal appearances, interviews, and the like.  It’s important in this post-war period to keep morale high.  Your envoys will help you with any questions regarding the tour, anything of a professional nature, this does not mean you can use them as your personal assistants to go get your dry cleaning or pick out all the blue M&M’s or whatever.  You aren’t rock stars.’

‘Why is everyone looking at me?’  Lance asked as he realised most of the eyes at the table had at least glanced at him.

‘Because you’re a diva.’  Keith replied simply and a chuckle ran around the table.

‘Hey, I’m not a…’  He started but realised he wasn’t helping his case and folded his arms.  ‘Whatever.’

Iverson cleared his throat.  ‘Your envoys know what their position entails so if they refuse something then it’s out of their job description, if they say no don’t pressure them.  Any questions?’

‘Uh, I have one?’  Hunk raised his hand.  ‘When do we get to spend time with our families?  We haven’t spent any time with them since we got back other than last night’s awards ceremony.’

‘You will have this afternoon to yourselves and to prepare, plus tomorrow morning.’  Iverson replied.  ‘You leave here tomorrow at noon.’  He paused and waited for anyone else to offer up any queries and when none came he nodded once.  ‘You’re all dismissed to get to know your envoys.’

‘Well that was relatively painless.’  Keith remarked as Pidge slipped her laptop back into her bag.

‘Yeah, but things are only just starting.’  She said as she leant towards him to get up, unintentionally putting them close together for a moment.

‘Then let’s get on with it.’  He stood as she slid her chair back under the table.  ‘Come on, Jameson, let’s go.’  Keith led the way, Pidge and Jameson falling into step behind him.

‘We’ve got an office put aside for us on the second floor.’  Liliana said as she picked up her bag and got to her feet.

‘Right.’  Lance said as he rushed to hold her chair for her.  ‘You want to grab a coffee or something first to take with us?’

‘That would be nice.’  She nodded with a small smile.

‘Great.  This way.’  He held his arm out to direct her and they fell into step with one another easily, Lance feeling pretty pleased with his current situation.

Notes:

Coming next: Keith gets another pep talk!

Chapter 13: Plans Change

Summary:

A brief chapter of Shiro talking with Keith!

Notes:

Hi everyone!

Not a lot new to report, I'm still writing too many things at once! As always, you can catch me over on tumblr @kidgetrash!

‘Keith, do you have a minute?’  Shiro called.

They hadn’t got far, just a few feet from the briefing room, and Keith stopped, Pidge and Jameson a moment later.  ‘Go ahead, I’ll catch you up.’  He assured them and Pidge flashed him a smile before setting off again, his eyes lingering on her back as she disappeared around the corner.

‘You still didn’t talk to her?’  Shiro said in disbelief as he reached him.

‘Is that what you wanted to talk about?’

‘Actually no, we’ll come back to that.  I just spoke with Iverson.  There’s going to be a small change to the tour.’

‘What kind of a change?’  Keith narrowed his eyes slightly.

‘Your itinerary is being combined with Lance’s so you can travel together.’

‘What?’  Keith blinked as though he hadn’t quite understood what Shiro had said, and he was rewarded with a small smile.

‘I hope this disappointment is because you wanted to spend the tour wooing Katie, but I suspect it’s not.’

‘It’s not a bad idea, but that won’t happen with Lance around.’  He crossed his arms as he tried to hide his disappointment.

‘It will if you make it happen, but it’s not for Lance’s benefit, it’s for his envoy’s.’

‘The English woman?’

‘Yes, Liliana Cooper.  She’s more than capable to do the job but it’s her first official position.’

“Then yeah, it would be cruel to make her spend extended time alone with Lance.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’  Shiro admonished.  ‘I mean it might help her to have another envoy she can ask for help, and another girl around.’

‘Then why don’t you and Allura take them?’

‘Because we’re not taking an envoy, not in the same sense.  Iverson and Sam are coming with us.  It’s more a state capitals tour and I doubt Miss Cooper could get the assistance she needs, should she need any.’

Keith sighed.  ‘Okay, fine, but you owe me for this.’

Shiro laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.  ‘Are we still even keeping track?’

‘We’re starting a separate list of personal favours, this one counts as you interfering with me and Pidge.’  He waved a finger jokingly.

‘Alright.  How about when you finally ask her out and go on a date, it’s on me?’

‘You’ve got a deal.’  He offered him his hand but instead of shaking it Shiro pulled him in for a brief hug.

‘Take care of one another, both on the tour and after.’

‘Are you including Lance in that again?’  He asked as they separated

‘You take care of him too, even if you pretend not to, just not in the same way you care for Pidge.’

‘Definitely not the same way.’  Keith laughed.  ‘But alright, how much does that change our itinerary?’

‘You’ll still go to Italy first, Lance’s destinations will be split between the rest of us and you’ll end in Havana before returning here for one more state function to close the week.’

‘It’s going to make things tight for all of us timing wise.’  Keith nodded.  ‘But not impossible.’

‘It’ll be fine.’ Shiro assured him.  ‘And unless it’s official you don’t have to stay with Lance.  Take Pidge for walks, spend time together, and for God’s sake, make sure she knows it’s a date.’

Keith smirked and bowed his head.  ‘I’ll be very clear.’

‘Good.  Go to it, captain.’  Shiro saluted him.

‘At ease.’  Keith laughed.  ‘Take care of yourself, Shiro.  I’ll see you soon.’

‘You will, and Keith…’

‘If you say ask her I’m going to disown you.’  He replied as he backed down the corridor.

‘Then don’t make me say it.’

Keith waved and turned, heading towards the office they had been assigned with a small smile.  He was going to ask, he just needed it to be the right moment.

Notes:

Coming next: Pidge gets more coffee!

Chapter 14: Envoy Introductions

Summary:

Coffee with the envoys.

Notes:

Hi all!

I thought I would treat you all to a chapter today, firstly because I haven't done anything for Halloween, and secondly because it's my birthday! Yay! My girls bought me a green paladin hoodie which I can't wait to wear!

Anyway, I'll hand you over to the story!

‘Oh hey, more coffee!’  Pidge said with delight when she entered the office, the scent filling her nostrils enough to make her salivate.  ‘You want one?’

‘Please.  How’s the coffee in space?’  Jameson asked as she set out the three cups and poured two.

‘There isn’t any actual coffee, per se.’  She explained as she fixed hers how she liked it.  ‘We used to have a substitute drink that had the same effect, the equivalent of caffeine that is, not as good tasting though.  Kind of had an aftertaste of pickles.’

‘Doesn’t sound good.’  He wrinkled his nose as he added a little creamer to his cup, while Pidge made one for Keith.

‘It could keep me awake for hours but I’d spend at least part of that time cleaning my teeth to try and get rid of the flavour.’  She chuckled fondly at the memory.

‘I guess it was things like that that helped you and Captain Kogane develop your relationship, besides being together in a difficult situation.’

‘Wait, relationship?’  She looked up at him with a blink.  ‘Oh, me and Keith?  No, we’re not, a thing, like a proper real thing.  I mean we’re companions, we work together, and we’ve lived together for years, in the same place, not the same room, but not romantically.  No.’

‘Really?’  He leant on the table and looked down at her.  ‘So, you’re single?’

‘I guess.  Married to my Lion.  Is that a thing?’  She said distractedly as she took out her laptop again.

‘Not a legal one.’  He laughed.  ‘I was just wondering, because…’

The door opened and Keith came in.  ‘Sorry about that.’  He apologised for having been delayed.  ‘Did I miss anything?’

‘Only me making you coffee.’  She held the cup out to him and his face split into a smile.

‘Thanks, Pidge, you’re an angel.’  His fingers brushed hers as he took it and she didn’t reply, she just gave him a small smile, the endearment making her stomach flutter.

‘Nah, it’s nothing.’  She sat in one of the three seats arranged in a small circle in front of the desk.  ‘So, we just talk?’

 

‘We just talk?’  Liliana asked as she took a seat at the desk, smoothing her skirt as she did so.

‘I guess so.’  Lance shrugged as he crossed his ankle on top of his knee.  ‘What do you want to know?’

‘Uh…’  She said hesitantly, quickly taking the envelope from her bag with the details for their trip.  ‘I suppose what you want from this trip, how I can help you, what you might need help with.’

There was a knock on the door and they shared a look.  ‘Come in?’  Lance said.

‘Captain, Miss Cooper.’  It was Iverson who entered, holding a brown envelope identical to the one in Liliana’s hand.  ‘There has been a small change in itineraries.  The amendments are here.’  He threw the envelope onto the desk before turning to Lance.  ‘And there are to be no arguments, the arrangement stands.’

‘Which means I’m not going to like it.’  Lance replied, even as Iverson turned to leave.

‘I don’t care if you like it or not, Captain.  Those are your orders.’  And he closed the door behind him.

‘I guess we should see what we’ve got.’  Liliana said, opening the envelope.

‘You want a coffee while we work?’  Lance asked, indicating to the tray.

‘Is there any tea?’  She glanced up at him as he stood.

‘Uh…no, you want me to get you some?’

She smiled brightly and Lance felt his cheeks flush at how pretty she was.  ‘It’s alright, coffee will be fine, thank you.’

‘Very fine.’  Lance murmured before shaking his head and making himself pay attention to his task.  ‘What changes have we got?’

‘Hmm.’  Liliana frowned as she read the overview.  ‘We’re to travel with Captains Kogane and Holt.  We’ll start in Italy then end in Havana.’

Lance groaned.  ‘We’re travelling with mullet now?’

‘Mullet?’  Liliana looked up at him in amusement.

‘Keith’s hair.’  He offered her the milk and sugar.  ‘Why do we have to travel with them all of a sudden?’

‘It doesn’t say.’  Liliana shrugged.  ‘Thank you for the coffee.’

‘Welcome.’  He sat back down with a smile.  ‘So, let’s get to know one another.’

Notes:

Coming next...Keith and Pidge walk their dogs.

Chapter 15: Pupper Playdate

Summary:

Keith and Pidge have a playdate with their pets.

Notes:

I LIVE!!!!

I thought I would throw you all another chapter of Home to see in the New Year! I hope you've all had a fab holiday, however you're celebrating (look at me, all politically correct and shit!) and that your new year is awesome!

I'm currently on chapter 22 of this fic so I hope to be able to update you more in the coming weeks!

‘That wasn’t so bad.’  Pidge said as she and Keith headed towards the hangar where their Lions and the cruiser were being kept.

‘No, but I still can’t figure how they expected us to get to know Jameson in such a short space of time or in those circumstances.  You can’t get to know someone just by sitting awkwardly and asking questions.’

‘Isn’t that like a first date?’  She teased, glancing up at him as they walked.

‘I guess it is.’  He chuckled.  ‘In that case, that was the weirdest date I have ever been on.’

‘Lucky for you.  That was the first date I’ve ever been on.’

‘What?’  Keith caught her arm, making her stop and face him.  ‘You’ve never been on a date at all?  The entire time we were in space you never once…I thought you meant…something else.’

She watched his confused face as he spoke, waiting for his words to die off before replying.  ‘I wouldn’t joke about something like that.’

‘Let me get this completely straight.’  He held up his hands between them.  ‘You’ve never been on a date?  Ever?’

‘You make it sound like I’m missing something.’  She scoffed before starting to walk again, Keith falling into step beside her a moment later.  ‘I was kind of busy fighting a war, not sure if you noticed.’

‘I noticed.’  He replied to her sarcasm as an idea struck him.  ‘We’re going to remedy that.’

‘What?’

‘You having never been on a date.’

‘No, I don’t need setting up with anyone.’  She said firmly, worrying Keith was about to start playing matchmaker for her.

‘What…what about me?’

‘What?’  It was her turn to stop dead, her eyes wide as his words sank in.

‘Go on a date with me.’  He asked.

She laughed softly, although it wasn’t a particularly amused sound, and shook her head.  ‘You don’t have to do that just because…’

‘I’m not doing it because you’ve never had a date, I’m doing it because I want to go on a date with you.’  Keith said rapidly, before he lost his nerve.

‘You do?’  She questioned, her voice barely above a whisper.

‘I do.’  He smiled.  ‘Would you?’

She nodded.  ‘I’d love to.’

‘Great.’  He laughed freely, a sound he rarely made that Pidge relished.  ‘Oh, but, when?’

‘What about while we’re in Italy?’  She shrugged.  ‘The itinerary says we have an afternoon to ourselves and everything is still recovering from the Galra attack anyway, so it’s not like a traditional date would be possible just about anywhere right now.’

‘I like that idea.’  He agreed as they began walking again.  They stayed silent for a few steps, both unsure of what to say as excited thoughts of the date to come ran through their heads.  Eventually, it was Keith who broke the lull.  ‘Do you want to bring the fuzzies and Bae Bae on a playdate with Kosmo?  The upgrades to the Lions can wait.’

‘Kosmo won’t eat the fuzzies, right?’  She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him.

‘No, he’s fairly well behaved.’  Keith laughed.  ‘And he likes you.’

‘Great, I’ll see if Mom will bring Bae Bae to us.’

Fifteen minutes later Bae Bae was running circles around Pidge’s room on the cruiser while the fuzzies stayed well out of the way of the excitable dog.  Pidge had checked they had enough food and made a fuss of them until Colleen arrived with Bae Bae then made a sharp exit, the dog being particularly bouncy at being taken somewhere new.

‘Bae Bae!  Stop!’  Pidge cringed as a stack of somewhat ordered parts fell to the floor.  ‘Come on!  I know you haven’t listened to me in forever but give me a chance!’  Bae Bae stopped and looked at her with her head tilted, which Pidge hoped meant she was starting to listen.  ‘Okay, come on up.’  She patted the bed beside her and the exuberant pooch pounced from where she stood before knocking Pidge backwards and insisting on washing her thoroughly.  ‘Oh God!  Bae Bae!  Stop!’  She screwed up her face as she moved to avoid getting tongue up her nose.

The sound of excited slobbering was eventually overridden by a low growl and Bae Bae’s tongue stilled immediately along with the rest of her.  Pidge sat up enough to see Kosmo in the doorway with Keith, a hand resting on Kosmo’s head reassuringly.

‘They’re just playing, it’s okay.’  He assured him with a gentle pat as Pidge nudged Bae Bae aside enough to sit up fully.

‘Hey, Kosmo!’  She said happily, the wolf’s ears perking up at hearing her not in distress.  ‘You want to meet Bae Bae?’  She stroked her pet’s head reassuringly as she regarded the wolf warily.  ‘It’s okay, we’re all friends.’

‘I’ll start.’  Keith came further into the room and crouched, holding his hand out for Bae Bae to sniff, slowing edging nearer until her snout met his skin, scenting him gently before licking him once.  ‘Good girl.’  He stroked her head.  ‘See, we’re all good.’

Bae Bae approached the edge of the bed as Kosmo came closer to Keith, looking the two over before suddenly flashing out of existence, only to return a moment later on Pidge’s lap, which was nowhere near big enough, and she fell onto her back again, this time Kosmo taking over licking at her cheeks, much as Bae Bae had.

‘Keith, make him stop!  I’m clean!’  She giggled as Keith continued to stroke Bae Bae, smiling at how adorable Pidge was.

‘Okay, get down, boy, come on.’  He patted Kosmo, who did as he was told, sitting obediently beside Pidge’s legs as she yet again sat up.

‘Let’s get them outside and worn out.’  She suggested as Bae Bae hopped down and let Kosmo sniff her stomach as she abased herself on her back.  ‘I guess Kosmo is top dog.’  She commented as Keith stood and offered her his hand.

‘I guess so.’  He pulled her up and reluctantly released her, his fingers lingering on hers for just a moment.  ‘Are the fuzzies okay?’

‘Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed by the psycho fur beast.’  She nudged Bae Bae with her shin.  ‘C’mon, let’s go walks!’

Bae Bae was on her feet in seconds and dancing at the door, ready to leave, Pidge threw a grin over her shoulder at Keith before leading them outside to the area the Garrison had designated for them.  Bae Bae immediately ran off into the open space and found a stick, bringing it back and giving it to Pidge after a brief moment of tug of war.

‘Does Kosmo like to play fetch?’  Pidge asked as she threw the stick and Bae Bae took off after it.

‘I tried to teach him in the quantum abyss but he didn’t quite get the concept.’  Keith petted the wolf’s head where he stood between them.  ‘I never had a pet before, I thought it was a thing all dogs did.’

‘But Kossie is no ordinary dog, are you, sweetie?’  She reached out to ruffle his fur as she watched Bae Bae run back towards them, not realising Keith’s hand was there, and she froze the moment her palm touched his knuckles.  ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise…’

‘It’s okay.’  He replied, turning his hand over and taking hers in his.  ‘Is this?’

She nodded, aware a blush was burning its way up her neck to her cheeks.  ‘Yeah, it is.’

As though he were asked, Kosmo raised his head, nudging at them as though he had been left out, demanding attention.

‘Although someone seems to be jealous.’  Pidge laughed as she crouched, fussing Kosmo with her free hand as Keith didn’t try and let her go, rather he stepped closer so they wouldn’t part.

‘He really likes you, a lot.’  He bent as Bae Bae reached them and took the stick she dropped, straightening and throwing it far further than Pidge had.

‘I like him too.  He’s pretty adorable, aren’t you, Kossie?’  She said the last in baby talk and Keith smiled warmly as Kosmo nudged at her before leaning his chin on her shoulder so she could hug him.  ‘Oh, you’re so cute!  All the hugs for you!’

‘Careful, you don’t want to make me and Bae Bae jealous.’  Keith warned teasingly and she looked up at him.

‘Okay, most of the hugs for Kosmo, and if you and Bae Bae get jealous you can have hugs too.’

‘If?  I’m definitely jealous.’  He laughed as though to hide the fact that while he wasn’t jealous he would definitely not pass up the opportunity.

‘You...uh...you want hugs?’  She asked hesitantly, risking a glance up to find him blushing.

Keith cleared his throat, suddenly nervous as to where this conversation had gone.  ‘I don’t...mind?’

‘Stupid emo.’  She chuckled at him before pulling on the hand she held until he joined her and Kosmo on the floor.  The manoeuvre put her off balance and she part fell against him, propped up by Kosmo at her shoulder and her hand against Keith’s chest.  ‘Sorry!’  She blurted as she tried to balance herself again but Keith just smiled, his arm curving around her back to steady her.

‘It’s okay, we were hugging anyway, right?’

Pidge opened her mouth to reply that that’s was exactly right when Bae Bae barrelled into her, throwing the last of her balance away as she was wobbled into Keith, pushing him back even as his arm flailed, landing on his back with Pidge on top of him and Bae Bae licking them both alternately.

‘Argh!  More pupper tongue!’  Pidge pushed Bae Bae away just as Kosmo decided to join in.

‘Ugh!’  Keith tried hopelessly to get away from Kosmo’s attack but he was just too determined, so he decided to try another tactic.  ‘Pidge!  Head down!’  He yelled and she did so immediately, burying her head against his chest and Keith rolled them quickly towards Bae Bae, definitely the lesser of two lickers, and she skipped back rapidly.  Once they were clear he got to his feet and pulled Pidge with him as she used the cuff of her Garrison uniform to wipe at her face.

‘You were not wrong about him being super drooly.’  She grimaced as he wiped at his own face.

‘Nope, he’s definitely that.’  Keith said as Bae Bae brought the stick over again.

‘Memo to Captain Kogane: don’t get on a level with two slobbery doggos again unless you want a tongue bath.’  She said as she picked up the stick and threw it.

‘Memo received, Captain Holt.  A tongue bath is not a recommended level of hygiene for Garrison officers.’

Pidge laughed.  ‘Oh God, imagine if it was!  The smell!’

‘Dogs breath.’  Keith shuddered.  ‘Not good.’

‘Not one bit.’  She agreed as Bae Bae bounded back.  ‘Thanks for doing this with me.’

‘Walking the dogs?’  He checked as she picked up the stick again, but held his hand out for her to pass it to him, holding it slightly out of reach as Bae Bae jumped to try and get it.

‘Yeah, and the rooming thing.  I figured you’d be sick of spending so much time with me by now.’

‘I won’t ever do that.’  He replied, pulling his arm back and pretending to throw the stick, Bae Bae running several meters before realising and coming back to bark at him.  ‘You’re a smart girl, Bae Bae.  Here you go.’  He threw the stick again.

‘You’re giving her a better workout than I can.’  She remarked as the stick bounced further than before.

‘It’s all about strength and technique.’

‘I know how to throw a stick.’  She sassed.  ‘You’re just stronger than I am.’

‘I guess that’s true, but I could give you some pointers.’

‘On the correct way to throw a stick?’  She gave him raised eyebrows.  ‘It’s all about wind speed and direction, velocity, angle, the potential top speed of the stick given the strength of the thrower, and the weight of the stick.’

‘So, just huzz it as hard as you can and hope it goes further each time?’

‘Pretty much.’  She nodded as Bae Bae returned again.  ‘I just need practice.’  She picked up the stick and threw it again, putting as much into it as she could.

‘You didn’t play soft ball in school?’

‘Sports wasn’t my thing.’

‘Science nerd.’

‘Hey, it runs in the family.’  She nudged him with her elbow.

‘And you’re all incredibly talented at it.’  He replied.

Kosmo flashed out, which was nothing new, he would often do so without prompting, but what surprised them was he reappeared at the stick, Bae Bae pulling up short as he picked it up, flashed out again, only to flash back in before Pidge, sitting down and dropping the stick before looking up at her expectantly.

‘He fetched!’  Keith laughed, his face splitting into a smile as Pidge dropped down before Kosmo, stroking as she praised him.

‘You are such a good boy!  Did you learn that watching Bae Bae?  So clever!’

Bae Bae came running back, stopping and barking at Kosmo, front end lowered with her tail wagging frantically.

‘We need another stick.’  Pidge said as she stood and threw it yet again, Kosmo beating Bae Bae to it once more, much to her confusion.

‘Or for them to wear themselves out.’

‘Whichever.  I like it, it’s good to see them playing.’  She stood again.  ‘It’s good to see anything normal.’

‘Yeah, normal is underrated.’  He agreed as they watched their pets play in the waning afternoon sun.

Notes:

Coming next: Matt offers up an ear for Pidge to talk to.

Chapter 16: Family Dinner

Summary:

Matthew Holt is both the best and worst big brother ever.

Notes:

Hey all! Guess who just passed the 24 chapter mark on this fic!? Yup, me! Today I had a sudden burst of inspiration, which I don't expect to last, because Monday is my stressful day. I have my tribunal to find out whether my benefits will be cut and I will lose my car *le sigh*. This thing has been hanging over my head for a year and honestly the stress is horrible and the worst case scenario leaves me unable to get my youngest to school as well as me housebound. Happy thoughts and good luck would be most appreciated! Anyway, enjoy the chapter, I'm about to head to bed!

Pidge had dinner with her family while Keith excused himself to go train with Shiro. He was still testing the limits of his new arm and Keith was only too happy to help.

Pidge was tasked with rinsing the plates while Matt loaded the dishwasher, and she found herself smiling to herself as they did.  She could hear her parents talking in the living area as they went about their task.

‘Someone’s in love.’  Matt sung quietly, causing Pidge to turn a scowl on him.

‘That’s not why I’m smiling.’

‘But you are.’

‘Not why I’m smiling.’  She repeated.

‘But you’re not denying it.’

She stopped mid wipe and gave him a deadpan stare.  ‘It’s still not why I’m smiling!’

‘So why are you smiling?’  Matt nudged her back to work before taking the next plate and loading it.  ‘Did he do something inappropriate?  Do I need to have a big brother talk with him about treating you well?’

‘If you do that I guarantee he will laugh in your face.’  She flicked water at him and he flinched away.

‘Hey!  I just wanted to know if you were any further along, relationship wise!’

‘Maybe.’  She drew the word out and deliberately avoided his gaze.

‘Maybe, what maybe?’  He asked as he poked her in the ribs, making her jump away.

‘Stop!’  She threatened him with a palm full of bubbles.  ‘I’ll tell you if you don’t make a big deal out of it!  I don’t want Mom and Dad to know some of it.’

Matt glanced back at the door before leaning closer to her.  ‘You know I’ve got your back, right?  All teasing aside?’

‘I know.  It’s just…this is really new for me.’  She shrugged, the movement allowing her to huddle in on herself but Matt saw it and knew what it meant.

‘Hey, don’t do that, not with me.  You can tell me anything, you know that.  What the Garrison doesn’t know…’

She laughed and resumed washing, just cutlery left now.  ‘Yeah, same for Mom and Dad, for now.’

‘So, talk to me.’  He suggested, going and turning on the radio just loud enough to disguise their voices and she gave him a grateful look.

‘Keith asked me on a date.’

‘Yes!’  Matt hissed.  ‘When?’

‘No set time yet.  I suggested while we’re in Italy might be okay.  We have a lot of things to do, with this tour and all.’

‘But you’re going through with it?’  Matt checked, taking the cutlery from her and dropping it in the basket.

‘Yeah, I’m going through with it!  I never thought he’d show even the slightest interest in me, even with all the near misses I think we’ve had these last few weeks.’

‘Near misses?’

‘Maybe a more accurate description is near kisses.’  She side eyed him with a small smile.

‘Near…what?’  Matt gasped.  ‘You need to start talking, little sister.’

She shrugged, embarrassed by what she was about to admit, as she had hoped it was the case, secretly to herself, but didn’t dare to dream maybe that was what had almost happened.  ‘On the way back there were a couple of times I thought it was about to happen but something always interrupted us.  Lance, then Shiro, to be specific.  Unintentional, but it still stopped…anything.’

‘I know you’re smitten with him, Pidge, but I have to ask, you’ve thought this through, right?  This is definitely something you want?’

She felt a blush fill her cheeks as she glanced down.  ‘I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.  It’s like someone threw a bunch of sodium hydrogen carbonate into a flask of ethanoic acid and water, and the chemical reaction is happening in my stomach whenever I see him, or even just think of him!  And he held my hand and I thought my heart was going into a tachycardia rhythm, it sped up so much.  I know love is just a series of chemical reactions caused by hormonal responses but…ugh!’  She dropped her arms by her sides frustratedly.  ‘So, to answer your question, yes, this, Keith, is definitely something I want.’

‘Wow, if it’s got you talking about chemistry then it must be true love, given that’s your least favourite of all the sciences.’  He teased.

‘Stop.’  She elbowed him in the ribs again.  ‘Can you actually give me some decent advice or am I just going to get teased?’

‘Advice?  You don’t need advice.’  He chuckled.  ‘Be yourself.  He likes you for who you are, don’t change a single thing.  Just enjoy yourself.’

‘That’s still advice.’  She told him.  ‘I just don’t want to mess this up.’

‘You won’t mess anything up.’  Matt assured her.  ‘You two are good together, you just have to actually get together for you to prove it to yourselves.  Also, don’t you have to be getting home to bed?  He’ll be waiting.’

‘Shut up!’  She said, but stepped in close and wrapped her arms around him.  ‘Thanks for listening to me ramble, Matt.’

He kissed her hair and held her to him.  ‘It’s not rambling, you needed to air it and I’m happy that you can talk to me.  All I want is for you to be happy.  And maybe happy means you get together with Keith, but you don’t rush into anything else, if you get my meaning.’

‘Matt, I’m twenty-one years old, I would have got your meaning at fourteen and still have been grossed out by it.’

He chuckled and kissed her hair.  ‘Go say goodnight to Mom and Dad then get out of here.’

‘Alright.’  She nodded in agreement and went through to the living area as Matt set the dishwasher running.  He had high hopes for his sister and the leader of the Paladins.  They would make a great couple, if they actually took that first leap of faith together.

Notes:

Coming next chapter: Liliana and Pidge have a little chat!

Chapter 17: Pigeon On The Roof

Summary:

Pidge and Liliana talk.

Notes:

Hi all!

First off, I WON MY APPEAL! I am so relieved! This will mean more financial security and I get to keep my car! It's such a weight off my mind that I've been having an increase in imagination and the desire to write! How great is that?!?

Anyhow, not a lot else happening, I'll leave you with this next chapter!

Liliana had spent several hours after her meeting with Lance reading through his personnel file and watching not only his interactions with the Garrison from security footage but also his video home.  She made several notes on things she thought the Garrison may have missed, or that she had questions about, but it was quite basic things that she had already suspected.  Like his bond with his family, his apparent penchant for the ladies, and a possible underlying issue of self worth.  However, after reading what the Paladins had been through she was certain they would all suffer some sort of PTSD at the very least.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes, coming back with more eyeshadow and mascara than she had thought, and groaned.  It was late, she was still a little jet lagged, and her body certainly felt out of whack from being forced into a new routine.  Slipping on her shoes that she had kicked off under the desk, she got to her feet as she put her computer away before slipping on her jacket and clicking off the desk lamp, heading for the door with the intention of getting some much needed sleep.  There was nothing official for her to attend the following day until she and Envoy Jameson left for Italy to meet the Paladins and she hoped to catch up on some sorely needed sleep.

 

Pidge left her parents quarters later than she wanted but still in good time.  She knew Keith would be back from training by now but there was one last thing she wanted to do before she went back to their room.  Their room.  The thought still made her laugh, quietly and to herself, but laugh nonetheless.  She was sharing a room with Keith, Keith who had asked her on a date just hours ago, Keith who she was pretty sure had almost kissed her twice in the last few days alone, Keith who made her heart race and her knees weak.  Keith.  She needed some advice.

Allura was the only woman that Pidge knew well, besides her mom who she just didn’t feel comfortable discussing this with, but she hoped Allura might be able to hear her out and just listen, even if she couldn’t offer any advice as such.  They weren’t really gal pals, not like she remembered from movies, but they had both just spent the last few years cooped up in a mostly male environment.  There had been times where they had bonded over the disgusting habits of the men, Pidge having refined slightly over the years, mostly late at night over the closest thing to wine and the furthest thing from nunvil they had discovered on their travels, and while it wasn’t what she would consider a classic slumber party, they had been able to talk to one another candidly.  That was what Pidge was hoping for now.

She tracked Allura down to the medical wing of the Garrison, where Pidge knew they were still treating the Altean they had found in the wreckage of the ship after the final battle here on Earth.  Whatever the Galra had given them still had them comatose and unresponsive.

Allura was talking animatedly with the doctors about Altean physiology.  She had given as much information as she could in the hope of aiding them, but so far nothing had worked.

‘Ah, Pidge, good evening.’  Allura greeted her as the doctors left them.

‘Allura, do you have a minute?’  Pidge asked as she looked through the glass into the room where the doctors were now taking more readings of vitals and adjusting fluids.

‘Now isn’t the best time, I’m afraid, can it wait?’

Pidge looked up at her, worry obviously filling her eyes as she watched the doctors work.  Allura had, understandably, taken this matter to heart.  ‘It’s…’  She sighed.  ‘It can wait.  What’s the latest?’

‘No change, sadly.’  Allura said defeatedly.  ‘The doctors are still trying to flush out whatever drugs may be in her system in the hope she will wake, but as of now we are at a loss.’

‘It’s a shame the healing pod did nothing.’

‘It did heal the injuries sustained during the battle with Atlas and Voltron, however whatever is in her system is either taking longer to filter out or we’ve missed something.’

‘Do you think maybe it could be a cerebral inhibitor or something?  An implant or actual cerebral tampering?  I mean, back in time even humans were known for using the crude method of lobotomy for controlling people they considered “difficult”.’

‘Cerebral tampering?’  Allura said thoughtfully.  ‘We scanned for any sign of mechanical interference, like an inhibitor, however we hadn’t considered something so barbaric!  Is there something that might show such damage?’

‘Sure, an MRI, or CT, or PET scan.’  Pidge shrugged.

‘Pidge, you’re a genius!’  Allura embraced her briefly and hurried into the room, leaving Pidge standing alone.

‘So long as it helps.’  She murmured to herself before turning and leaving the medical wing, knowing she wanted some way to clear her head, and if she couldn’t talk it out then she needed absolute peace.

 

Liliana grabbed something to eat in the mess hall and was on her way back to her room.  It was getting late and she had every intention of going straight to bed, until she saw Captain Holt heading into a stairwell.  Her curiosity piqued, she followed, pausing on the landing to listen for a moment, her reward coming in the form of a door being closed above her.

 

Pidge sat on the edge of the roof, her legs swinging as she dangled them over the side.  The roof had always been her place to come as a cadet, to listen to radio chatter for any information she might garner regarding the Kerberos mission, but instead it had become her key to a bigger world, that of space exploration, Voltron, and a mission she could never have imagined in her wildest dreams.  The sky was lit with stars and patrols, the Garrison taking no chances despite the newfound peace, and it was soothing, so familiar it eased her mind.  Out there, in the desert, was where she first met Keith, when her life had changed for the better.  Sure, it had been difficult at times, painful even, but worth it.  Every single second.  Every injury, every panic, every fear, it had brought them together and had brought them back home, it had brought peace to the universe.  And now she had a date with Keith.

The small smile that had graced her lips slipped to a more concerned expression as she thought it over.  She really, really wanted to date Keith, and more, but she hadn’t been on a date, she wasn’t the most feminine of girls, despite the Garrison having put her in a dress the day before, and she was unsure how to act.  She had sought advice from Allura, although she was sure all her fellow Paladins would have told her was that Keith liked her for her and to be herself, but she still felt she could do with some advice when it came to…something.

‘Captain Holt?’

She jumped at the gentle voice behind her, turning her head far enough to see Liliana Cooper standing just outside of the door.  ‘Is everything alright?’

‘Envoy Cooper, hi.’  She forced a smile.  ‘I’m just clearing my head before I try and sleep.  Nothing to worry about.’

‘If you’re sure.’  She said, approaching carefully, not only uncertain if her presence was welcome, but the fact she was standing on the roof.  This certainly wasn’t helping her fear of heights.

‘You look a little troubled yourself.  Care to take a seat?’  Pidge offered, patting the roof beside her.  ‘The desert air can help clear your mind.’

‘I…I don’t want to intrude.’  The woman smiled nervously, not moving from her spot.

‘It’s not intruding if I just invited you.’

‘I just…’  She pointed towards the edge.  ‘Not too keen on heights.’

‘Oh.’  Pidge nodded her understanding and she pushed herself back several feet before turning to sit crosslegged.  ‘Is this better?’

‘I think I can just about manage.’  She smiled sheepishly as she took a seat opposite her, resting her briefcase beside her.  ‘I imagine you have a lot on your mind.’

‘A few things.’  Pidge waved her hand dismissively.  ‘Nothing too new, maybe one thing, but nothing really.’

‘This is all new for me.’  She admitted, and Pidge was able to look her over properly for the first time.

She wasn’t much older than Pidge, perhaps Lance or Keith’s age, certainly not as old as Shiro, and she was very pretty.  Her skin was pale and perfect, her eyes a mix of brown and green, her chestnut hair was tied up in a messy bun that suited her.  Pidge remembered Liliana was a couple of inches taller than her, even more so in her heels, but she was used to being the shortest, and her business suit fit her feminine figure perfectly.  She was everything Pidge was not.

‘You’ve never had an assignment to be someone’s envoy before?’

She shook her head.  ‘I’ve been working with my professors in the hope of becoming some sort of cultural attache, but when this opportunity came up they recommended I apply, and here I am.’  She shrugged.  ‘I didn’t think I would actually be chosen.  It’s quite an honour.’

‘You might not be saying that after a week on the road with Lance.’  Pidge laughed, mostly to herself, but Liliana raised her eyebrows slightly, making Pidge clear her throat.  ‘Oh, don’t worry, he’s not crazy, he just…drives us crazy sometimes, but one person’s crazy is another person’s…not crazy.’  She tried.

‘Not crazy.’  Liliana nodded.

‘Did I just get Lance a box ticked on a psychological profile?’  Pidge said with concern.

‘Technically I’m off the clock.’  She smiled.  ‘And you have to make allowances when you have been working and living with someone in close confines for so long.  In that situation anyone would drive you crazy, I’m sure.’

‘Not Keith.’  Pidge said without thinking, regretting it immediately and fidgeting awkwardly.  She didn’t really know this woman but she had virtually blurted out just how perfect she thought Keith was.

Whatever reaction Pidge had been expecting, the warm smile hadn’t been it.  She had expected perhaps a swift change of subject, an awkward throat clearing, but not this.  ‘It’s very sweet that you found love under the circumstances.’

‘Love?’  Pidge laughed nervously, grateful the darkness hid her blush.  ‘Keith and I, we’re not actually…’  She sighed frustratedly.  ‘Yeah, okay, I’m in love with him, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell him that.’

‘Waiting for the right moment to tell him?’

‘No, no, I mean, yes, maybe, no, definitely not.  Not yet.  Maybe not ever.’  She said rapidly.  ‘Keith and I, well, we aren’t together like the Garrison thinks we’re together.  We’re not actually together at all, other than friends.  For now.  I think.’

Liliana watched as the famed Green Paladin spewed forth so much word vomit in a matter of seconds that it took her a moment to be able to even vaguely translate it.  ‘So you and Captain Kogane aren’t a couple?’

‘Yes, I mean, no.  No, we’re not.’  Pidge sighed.  ‘It’s a long story.’

‘I have nowhere to be, if you want to talk, off the record of course.’

‘You wouldn’t mind?  I think I just need to verbalise what’s going on in my head to get it clear, it happens when I need to work something technical out too.’

‘I don’t mind.’  Liliana shook her head.  ‘We’re going to be travelling together for the next week, and I don’t know anyone.  It would be nice to have someone I could talk to about something other than work.’

Her words made Pidge realise that perhaps Liliana was in a more difficult situation than the Paladins.  Alone and in a different country was hard enough without the added stress of the high profile job with intergalactic interest.  It would be a lot easier if they were at least on good terms.  ‘That would be good.’  Pidge nodded.  ‘If you don’t mind listening?’

‘I’d actually really appreciate some sort of normality, so talk away.’

‘Okay.’  Pidge shifted in her position slightly.  ‘I’ve been crushing on Keith for a couple of years now but just lately I’m pretty sure he’s started to feel the same way.’

‘Okay.’  Liliana nodded her head in understanding.  ‘What makes you think that?’

‘There’s been a couple of times when we’ve…we nearly kissed.’  She said shyly, unable to meet her eyes.

‘Nearly kissed?’

‘Interrupted.’  Pidge rolled her eyes with an awkward smile.  ‘I don’t know how to even go about approaching him about this, we’ve definitely got much closer as friends recently, and today, today he asked me out on a date.’

‘Then I think he definitely likes you back.’

‘I know, and I am so amazed, and excited, and…worried.’

‘Worried?’  Liliana frowned.  ‘What are you worried about?’

‘First date.  Ever.  With anyone.  And I’m not a girly girl and I’m worried if I’m meant to be on a date that I won’t be any good at it.’

‘Any good at what?’

‘Dating.’

Liliana laughed softly.  ‘I don’t think anyone is actually good at dating, but I would recommend you just be yourself.  He’s asked you on a date which means he likes you in return, and that means he likes you for you.  Act naturally.’

‘That sounds like a really bad idea.’

‘Try it.  If it doesn’t work you can try and be someone else.’

‘But what if this is my only chance?  And who else should I be?’  Pidge asked desperately.  ‘This is just a mess.’  She groaned.

‘I’m sure it will be fine.’  She leant forward and patted Pidge’s knee.  ‘Perhaps you’re overthinking?’

‘I do like to overthink.’  Pidge admitted.  ‘Especially the things I can’t science or math away.’

‘Feelings are about as far from those as you can get.’

‘Technically feelings are biology and chemistry.’  She said weakly.  ‘But I think I understand what you mean.  It’s not something you can plan for, there’s no formula that will work, it’s just an experiment you have to participate in, gauge your responses as you go, and hope for the best conclusion.’

‘That’s one way to put it.’  Liliana resisted the urge to laugh again, thinking perhaps Captain Holt wasn’t joking, that this was the famed genius’ way of coping.  ‘But above all, make sure you have fun.’

‘Fun, right.’  Pidge nodded.  ‘It’s getting pretty late, maybe we should head inside?’

‘Of course.’

They got to their feet, Liliana dusting herself off, and started towards the door.

‘Thanks for listening to me, I feel better for being able to talk about it.’  Pidge said as she opened the security locked door with her wrist computer.

‘You’re very welcome, thank you for trusting me enough to do so.’

‘You seem okay.’  Pidge smiled.  ‘And if we’re doing this tour together it would be nice to be able to talk about anything other than work.’

‘I would appreciate it too.’  She agreed.  ‘But might I ask, if you and Captain Kogane aren’t together, why are you sharing a room?’

‘For sheer awkwardness?’  She suggested.  ‘Actually, that was all the same mix up.  They assumed we were together and planned accordingly.  The whole place is full of diplomats and politicians, they couldn’t find us another room.  I argued I’d sleep on the cruiser, or even in Green, but Keith said no, we could manage.  Feels a little weird now, knowing we’re going on a date.’

‘So you do things a little out of order.  It’s what works for you that matters.’

‘I hope this works for us.’  Pidge said as she pushed her hair behind her ear.  ‘I’d really like it to work.’

‘From what I saw this morning you and Captain Kogane are very close, and certainly natural enough that I assumed you were already in a romantic relationship with one another.’

‘Thanks.’  Pidge took the compliment for what it was.  ‘And if you want any advice on Lance, just let me know.  He’s an idiot, but he’s our idiot.’

‘I know where to come.’

They arrived at the door to Liliana’s room first and paused.

‘I have to confess,’ Liliana began, ‘I feel a lot more comfortable having had the time to speak to you, Captain Holt, thank you.’

‘It’s just Pidge, I can’t get used to a rank.  I don’t think any of us can.’

‘There will be plenty of people calling you it in the next week, but if you’d rather I can call you Pidge.’

‘I would much rather, thanks.’  Pidge smiled.  ‘I guess we’ll see you some time tomorrow.  We’re meeting in Rome in the evening, right?’

‘That’s right.  Safe travels, Pidge.’

‘You too, Envoy Cooper.’

‘Liliana.’  She offered Pidge her hand.  ‘It’s been nice talking to you.’

‘You too.  Goodnight.’  Pidge took her hand back and moved down to her own room, holding the keycard in her fingers as she stared at the door.  There was a light on within which meant Keith was already back.  Her stomach was already butterflying at the fact this was going to be the first time they shared a bed, compounded by the fact he had asked her on a date.  Her heart was racing so fast she could hear it in her ears but she tried to push it aside.  She was a Paladin of Voltron, she had faced far scarier situations over the years.

‘It’s just Keith.’  She murmured, before inserting the keycard and stepping through the door.

Notes:

Next up: Kosmo plays wing-wolf!

Chapter 18: Cutest Wingpup Ever

Summary:

After finally agreeing to a date, Pidge and Keith have their first night sharing a bed.

Notes:

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd throw you another chapter out while I thought about it! Think you'll enjoy this one!!!

That's all I'm saying!

Keith was scrolling through the itinerary when he heard the door click open.  He was tired and had been ready to go to sleep with the light on so Pidge could see when she got back, but now he didn’t need to.

‘Hey.’  He smiled as she threw her keycard on the table and rubbed at her eyes.

‘Hey yourself.  How was training?’  She asked as she fetched her pyjamas.

‘I got a good workout.’  He told her.  ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I picked my preferred side of the bed.’

‘I don’t mind.’  She looked at the large bed with one side glaringly bare and waiting to be filled.  ‘I can sleep almost anywhere so no big.’

‘I remember.’  He chuckled.

She blushed faintly as she turned towards the bathroom, remembering falling asleep on him while they were awaiting rescue, mid-sentence of all things, and while he hadn’t told the rest of the team he still brought it up from time to time to tease her.  ‘I’m going to change.’

Pidge put on her pyjamas and splashed her face with water before brushing her teeth and going about her brief bedtime routine.  She was soon back out in the room and throwing her uniform on the back of one of the chairs.

‘You should hang that up.’  Keith said without glancing away from the datapad, and Pidge groaned.

‘Captain Kogane is bossy.’  She complained.

‘Captain Kogane knows Captain Holt would rather not waste her time on such trivial things when there are other things her awesome genius could be thinking of.’

She pulled a face at him as he glanced up and he laughed, watching as she got hangers from the closet.

‘How was dinner with your family?’  He decided to change the subject as he watched her in amusement trying to get the pants to line up on the hanger, knowing she far preferred a floor-drobe.

‘It was good.’  She replied before briefly biting her top lip.  ‘It’s weird after so long, but a good weird.  There are moments when we’ll be talking or laughing and we seem to forget that we’ve just fought a war, that this isn’t normal anymore, and it’s so familiar, but different too.’

‘Here.’  Keith got out of bed and she glanced up, her breath catching at the sight of him coming towards her in just a black tank top and shorts.  She tried really hard not to stare at his toned legs and arms, a stark contrast against the dark material, small scars marring his skin as a testament to all he had been through both with the team and the Blades.  She found she needed to swallow when he stopped in front of her and took the pants she had completely forgotten about from her hands.  ‘Use the seams.’  He told her as he quickly and easily straightened the pants out before picking up the other hanger.  ‘Jacket?’

‘Uh…right!’  She snapped out of her half-dressed-Keith daze and grabbed the jacket out of the chair.

He took it from her hands and hung it deftly before putting it in the closet beside his own.  ‘Done.’

‘Thanks.’  She murmured as he stood empty handed in front of her.

‘We should get to bed.  We have a long flight tomorrow.’

‘One that’s going to take us about half an hour in the Lions.’  She laughed.

‘And that’s a good thing.’  He said as he backed towards the bed.  ‘Once we get over the initial introductions we should get some time to ourselves.’

‘Time to ourselves with Lance.’  She reminded him as he pulled back the covers enough for them both to get in.

‘I forgot he’d be there.’  Keith grimaced, having thought it would be a good time for them to arrange their date.  ‘Maybe we can send him on a mystery tour, or sneak out without him.’

‘You’re keen.’  She laughed softly as she arranged the covers over herself and laid on her back, Keith settling down beside her to stare at the ceiling, enough room between them that they didn’t accidentally touch.

‘Of course.  You ready for lights out?’

‘I think so.’  She nodded, still staring at the ceiling.

The room darkened, the only illumination the ambient glow from the security lighting outside, and they laid quietly for several minutes before Pidge spoke.  ‘Do you always sleep on that side of the bed?’

‘I tend to.’  He replied.  ‘What about you?’

‘I like to sleep in the middle.’

‘In the middle?’  He asked with a laugh.

‘Sure.’  She shrugged.  ‘Then I have space whichever way I roll over and I can get out whichever side is nearest.’

‘I hadn’t thought of that.’  He replied and they fell into silence again until he found the courage to ask what he wanted to.  ‘So, is there anywhere in particular you want to go for our date?  Dinner?  I don’t know what it’s going to be like on the ground, even after the rebuild, or if there will be working movie theatres, or…’

‘Keith,’ she interrupted him.

‘What?’

‘Why don’t we wait and see when we get there?  Maybe take a walk together and see what’s on offer?’

‘I like that idea.’  He replied and Pidge could hear the smile in his voice.

‘Okay.  Goodnight.’

Before Keith could answer there was a zapoof and a flash of light, their legs suddenly weighed down as Keith groaned.  ‘Kosmo, no!’

‘Aw, he must be lonely!’  Pidge said as the cosmic wolf crawled up the bed towards her, allowing her to fuss him.

‘He doesn’t sleep on the bed!’

‘You’re just mean.’  She said as she scratched behind Kosmo’s ears.  ‘Were you lonely in that big spaceship all alone?’  He licked her cheek once and moved again, this time getting on the opposite side of Pidge to Keith and nudging at her to make himself some space.  ‘Oh, I see why he doesn’t.  He’s a bed hog.’  She commented as he easily pushed her smaller frame towards Keith.

‘Down, boy!’  Keith tried, rolling onto his side and pushing at the wolf, but to no avail.

‘I don’t think he’s going to budge.’  Pidge commented as she was edged further towards Keith.

‘The bed’s big enough, if you don’t have a problem with it?’  Keith suggested.  ‘He might be trained but he’s stubborn too.’

‘Like owner, like pet.’  She laughed as Keith turned his head towards her.

‘That’s pretty rich, coming from you.’

‘I never said I didn’t fit the bill too.’  She shuffled over onto her side to face him, wanting to give both him and Kosmo some space.

‘You look…cramped.’

‘It’s all good, I don’t take up much room.’

‘It’s just, if you wanted to…’  He held his arm out, inviting her into an embrace.

‘Really?’  She looked at him in surprise and he shrugged.

‘We did it before.’  He reminded her.

‘Sure, okay.’  She moved up beside Keith, his arm curving around her shoulder until her head rested on his shoulder.

‘Better?’  He asked, the sound rumbling through him and into her ear.

‘It’s comfy.’  She nodded.

‘Then, goodnight, again.’

‘Night.’  She murmured as she closed her eyes, only to have Kosmo’s head press between her shoulder blades and give her another push.  ‘Okay, he’s not done.’  She said as he did so again, turning her head as he nudged her hard enough move her bodily.

‘I don’t know what’s got into him.’  Keith leant over and tried to get Kosmo to give her some more space.  ‘Sorry.’

‘It’s okay, I…’  She turned back to him, about to speak, but her words were stolen when she found him so close their noses brushed.  She swallowed hard as his eyes found hers, her stomach giving little butterflies of nerves and excitement.

‘Katie.’  He murmured before his lips brushed hers in the gentlest of touches, encouraged when she didn’t pull away and pressing his lips to hers lightly.

Pidge sighed and closed her eyes as Keith’s lips caressed hers, her butterflies taking flight as the hand that rested on his waist came up to touch his cheek.  The kiss was slow and languid, nothing more than their lips brushing in open mouthed motions, but Pidge couldn’t imagine anything better.

Keith hadn’t realised how one supposedly simple action could change everything.  If he thought he felt more for Pidge than the other Paladins before he kissed her, then now his heart all but exploded with emotion.  She was soft and responsive, making a small incoherent murmur that had his arms tighten around her, and they parted breathlessly, leaving next to no space between them, foreheads resting against one another as their eyes fluttered open.

‘That was…’  She started, but he kissed her again.  ‘Amazing.’  She said once they parted.

‘We should definitely do that more.’

She grinned before kissing him herself, his words taking away her worry that her feelings weren’t reciprocated.  ‘A lot more.’

‘All the time.’  Keith replied, nudging her nose with his own.  ‘So, you want to be my girlfriend?’

‘I thought you’d never ask.’  She kissed him again and he was happy to oblige.

They parted again and just looked at one another in amazement for several moments.  ‘You’re still okay with this bed sharing thing?  I don’t want you to feel pressured.’  Keith checked.

‘I don’t think we’re at a point to take this further yet, right?’  She asked uncertainly.  ‘Because it’s pretty new, but I’m happy with all the snuggling.’

‘Snuggling it is.’  Keith agreed.

‘Although being less squashed could…hey, where’d Kosmo go?’  She rolled back partially and realised the space wolf was completely gone, and had probably teleported out while they were busy.

‘Huh.  Maybe he was just giving us a literal nudge.’

‘You have a very cute wingman.’  Pidge chuckled.  ‘Not as cute as you obviously.’

‘Or you.’  He kissed her softly, a slow lingering press of lips.  ‘We should get some sleep.’

‘We should.’  She started to move out of his arms but they tightened around her.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’  He teased.  ‘We might have space but I’d love to keep this up.’

‘I like it too.’  She agreed.

‘Great.’  He tilted his head and kissed her forehead before settling on his back again.  ‘If you get uncomfortable, just say.’

‘You too.’

‘I don’t think anything about this could make me uncomfortable.’  He squeezed her to him as she rested her head on his shoulder.

‘Same.’  She murmured, her body tired and her heart light.  ‘We’re still going on a date, right?’  She asked sleepily.

‘Whenever and wherever you want.’  He assured her before sleep pulled them both under.

Notes:

Kosmo ships it so hard he intervened!

Coming next: Waking up together!

Chapter 19: A Very Good Morning

Summary:

The morning after the kiss the night before!

Notes:

Yup yup! I'm not dead!

It was literally only yesterday that my daughter turned to me and said; I'm not pressuring you but when will the next chapter of Home be up?

I suddenly realised that I have another 8 chapters after this already completed I haven't yet posted! So here we go!

Thanks everyone for your patience!

Keith woke first, taking in a deep breath before releasing it in a sigh as he shifted his arm, about to move whatever had come to rest on his chest, before remembering it was Pidge’s head.  At some point in the night she had turned fully sideways in the bed, using him as a pillow.  He smiled at how peaceful she looked, her lips slightly parted and her hair mussed.  He had never noticed how long her lashes were until now that they rested on her cheeks, her freckles sprinkled below them like constellations on her skin.

As he watched her, her brow wrinkled, as though she were thinking out a particularly difficult puzzle, her nose scrunching cutely before her lips moved.  He had expected her to say something that he wouldn’t understand, something about an algorithm or quantum entanglements, but that wasn’t what he got.

‘I can’t do that.’  She muttered.  ‘He might find out, and then where would we be?  No, I’m not.  I’m not telling Keith I’m in love with him.’

Keith froze, his eyes widening as what she had said sank in.  She loved him?  She actually loved him?  He was torn between wanting to wake her and ask if she meant it, wanting to jump on the bed and announce to everyone that she loved him, and wanting to just stay here in this moment forever, hoping nothing ever spoilt it.  Logic prevailed though, or rather time was not on his side, and Pidge grumbled, turning over with a shuffle to pull her knees up to her chest, her face towards his.

‘Turn the light out.’  She groaned, screwing up her eyes tightly.

‘Sorry, it’s the sun.  I’d turn it out for you if I could.’

She opened one eye and squinted at him.  ‘You’re saying you’d extinguish the sun for me?’

‘If that’s what you wanted.’  He chuckled, the sound reverberating through her ear.

‘Well, thankfully I don’t want you to.  The world would be plunged into an ice age and I hate the cold just as much as I do bright lights.’  She closed her eye again for a moment before quickly opening them again.  ‘Morning.’

‘Morning.’  He stroked his hand over her hair on her forehead.  ‘Sleep good?’

‘Slept good.’  She nodded but a second later her eyes filled with something close to panic.  ‘Did you?  I didn’t squash you, did I?  Did I drool on you?’

He laughed.  ‘I slept great, and you neither squashed or drooled on me.’

‘Okay, good.’  She sighed before scrambling up and out of the bed.  ‘Be right back.’

He watched as she headed into the bathroom, rearranging her pyjama top that had risen slightly during the night, not that he had noticed, of course.  He sighed contentedly and tucked his hands behind his head, remembering the night before.  He had never thought he could be this happy, but here he was, back on Earth, he had Pidge, his mom, Shiro, the rest of the team, and the Galra were mostly defeated.  It really felt like everything was coming together in the right way.  He also had to remember to take Kosmo some sort of reward for being the best wing-wolf ever.

Pidge came back out of the bathroom and scrambled up the bed from his feet before laying the full length of his body with hers.  ‘Hi.’  She said quietly with a small smile before kissing him quickly.

‘Hi.’  He replied before licking his lips.  ‘You brushed your teeth.’

‘And mouthwash.  No morning breath here.  Don’t want to scare you off.’

‘It’ll take more than that to get rid of me.’  He curved his arms around her.  ‘How about we get dressed and get breakfast?’

‘Soon.’  She said before laying her head on his chest so they just held one another for several minutes.

‘Are you going back to sleep?’  He asked quietly and she raised her head again, resting her chin on the backs of her hands and looking like the cutest thing he had ever seen.

‘If I did would you leave me be?’

‘No.’  He shook his head.  ‘We have to fly to Italy and you need to eat first.’

‘Then there’s no point.’

He raised his head enough to be able to kiss her, his hand slipping into her hair as his lips learnt hers, memorising every little noise, every response, as her hands pressed against his chest.  ‘You mind if I hit the bathroom?’  He asked quietly once they parted, and she shook her head.

‘I don’t mind.’

‘Alright.’  He rolled them quickly, successfully putting her on her back with a surprised yip before he continued off the bed and to his feet in one fluid motion.

‘Show off.’  She called after him as she gathered the blankets around her, and he flashed her a grin before he closed the door.  She laid still for several minutes, just enjoying the warmth of the bed and comfort of the covers, but then her mind made her want to check for messages.  She grabbed her datapad from the bedside and opened it up.  She had the usual variety of reports she had been receiving since their defeat of Sendak, but what caught her eye was one specifically from Allura.  The message heading read; You Are A Genius.  She had a moment where her brain went; duh; then opened it.  She read over the text twice before closing the message and scrambling out of bed for a second time.

‘Keith?’  She knocked on the door rapidly as she started shimmying out of her pyjama pants.  ‘I have to run down to medical real quick!  I’ll meet you in the mess for breakfast, okay?’

‘What happened?’  He called as she heard the water turn off as she ran back to the closest and pulled out a pair of jeans, dragging them on and jumping the last bit before buttoning them.

‘Nothing urgent, just have to check in with Allura!’  She called back, pulling her pyjama top off and replacing it with a vest, just as Keith came out of the door, wrapped in only a towel, his hair wet.

‘Damn, sorry!’  He turned around quickly, letting her finish, grabbing her hoodie and some socks before jumping back onto the bed.

‘It’s okay, I’m decent.’  She said as she pulled on her socks.

‘What’s happening in medical?’  He asked as he turned back around.

‘I went by there last night.  Apparently, there’s been some kind of breakthrough with the Altean.  Not conscious but any progress is better than none, right?’

‘Right.  You want to wait five minutes and I’ll come with you?’

‘Meet me there.’  She hopped off the bed and slipped into her boots and hoodie.  ‘I want to get down there.’

‘Okay, I’ll see you soon.’  He said as she went to the door.

‘Wait!’  She came running back and threw her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoes so she could kiss him firmly.  ‘Bye.’

He laughed as she went, shaking his head at her obvious excitement before going back through to the bathroom to finish off showering.

Pidge made it to the medical wing in record time, finding Allura at the nurses station looking through a file.

‘I came as soon as I got your message.’  Pidge said as she approached.  ‘What did you find?’

Allura glanced at the nurses standing nearby before taking Pidge’s elbow and gently leading her away until they were in a secluded service corridor.

‘Your brain scan idea was perfect.’  Allura smiled at her as she held the file out towards her.  ‘While there was no evidence of cerebral tampering the same scans revealed this.’

Pidge flicked through the pages of scans, tilting her head to one side as she tried to work out what she was seeing.  ‘I’m no doctor, or an expert in Altean physiology, but that doesn’t look right.’  She pointed to a shaded patch on the topmost scan.

‘That’s because it’s not.’  Allura turned the page to the written report.  ‘All signs point to it being made of organic material, it’s why it wasn’t spotted in any earlier tests.  We were looking for a drug, or an implant.  Not a parasite.’

‘Ew.’  Pidge screwed up her nose.  ‘So, a cerebrum imbedded parasite that keeps its victim paralysed?’

‘That’s what we believe, yes.  We are, at this point, uncertain as to whether or not it would be possible to remove it and therefore revive the Altean, or whether it may be irretrievable or irreversible.’

Pidge nodded her agreement.  ‘Are they going to try or do more tests first?’

‘More tests.  It may take over a week, depending on what they can do.  They will call all the experts they can to aid them though.’

‘Good.  And it means we can go on this tour and know that stuff is being done while we’re gone.’

‘Exactly.’

‘So…what’s the other thing you wanted me to do before we leave?’  She asked about the unanswered question from the message she received.

‘Just this.’  Allura held out her palm to show a small data device.  ‘It’s all the information they have gathered thus far but I’m certain they’re missing something.  Would you go over it while you’re on your tour?’

‘Like, behind their backs?’  Pidge quirked her a small smile.

‘As in I don’t trust them as I do you.’  Allura returned the look.  ‘Their expertise is medical, however, I think you would be a more enlightened expert, having dealt with…’  She paused as she tried to find the right words.

‘With weird shit?’  Pidge suggested.

‘That sums it up perfectly.’  Allura nodded.  ‘Would you mind?’

‘Not at all.’  Pidge took the drive and slipped it into her pocket.  ‘If there’s anything there to be found I’ll do my best to figure it out.’

‘I knew I could rely on you.  Thank you.’  She rested her hand on Pidge’s shoulder.  ‘Now, do you still want to talk to me?  About whatever it was you came to me with last night?  I’m afraid I was a little distracted.’

Pidge smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly.  ‘Actually, no, it’s all okay.  I figured it out.’

‘Oh…I’m glad.’  Allura replied hesitantly.

‘Me too.’  Pidge nodded.  ‘If there’s nothing else, I need to go get breakfast.’

‘No, that was all.’  She replied as Pidge started back the way they had come.  ‘Unless there’s anything else you want to talk about or tell me?’

‘Nothing major.’  Pidge called back as she reached the doors, turning her back to push through them.  ‘But me and Keith are an item now.’  She grinned, before disappearing out of sight and leaving Allura slightly stunned.

Notes:

Coming next: Shiro finds out!

Chapter 20: Good News Travels Fast

Summary:

Word is spreading.

Notes:

Hi everyone!

You can send thanks to @LilianaMcClain for this chapter being posted, as she just begged me to do so and we all know I can't resist my girls! So Rhi-Rhi, baby, this one is for you!

Keith saw Pidge coming out of the medical wing before he reached it and her face lit up in a smile when she saw him, trotting over before stopping in front of him.

‘Hey.’  She said with a wide grin that he couldn’t resist.  He leaned down and kissed her softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

‘Hey yourself.’  He replied, staying close.  ‘Did you get everything done?’

‘I did.  I’ll tell you as we walk, but I also let the cat out of the bag, about us, if that’s okay that is?  If not I can go retract it and…’

He silenced her with another kiss.  ‘I don’t mind at all.  If you hadn’t told someone I would have, and the fact I don’t want to stop touching you would have been a giveaway.’  She flushed at his words and he realised what he had said as she gave him raised eyebrows.  ‘I mean like holding your hand.’  He said rapidly.  ‘And…’

‘I gotcha, Keith, don’t worry.’  She chuckled.  ‘And I only told Allura, but if you think even now she’s not sending messages to Shiro and Coran then you’re in denial.’

‘You might have a point.’  He turned with his arm still around her and started them towards the mess.

‘So, by the time we get to Italy the entire Garrison will know.’

‘Good.’  He leant down and kissed her temple, making her stomach flutter.  ‘Because I don’t care who knows.  The more the better.’

‘Ohhh.’  She grinned at him.  ‘Keith’s a territorial romantic.’

‘A romantic, maybe.  I’ve never done anything like this before.  You’re the first, but I do know I want you to know how much I like you and if that means I get to hold your hand and kiss you whenever I like then I’m all for it.’

‘Aw, you are a romantic.’  She leant into him, daring to wrap her arm around his waist and was rewarded with him squeezing her to him.  ‘But I like that.  It’s new for me too but I definitely like it.’

‘Good.’  He couldn’t resist pressing a soft kiss to her hair again and she blushed, reaching for her glasses, but he caught her hand in his free one.

‘Are we…dancing?’  She looked at him in confusion.

‘No.’  He laughed.  ‘You said to stop you if you tried to push your glasses up again.’

‘Right!’  She chuckled.  ‘Thanks.’

‘You’re welcome.’  He released her hand but kept her close.  ‘So, breakfast…’

Shiro looked at the message as it came through and decided he was suddenly hungry.  Hungry enough to make a trip to the mess hall.  He finished what he was doing and grabbed his jacket as he headed for the door.  It was still strange, putting on clothes with what was essentially a disembodied limb that he controlled.  He could use the hand and arm to help dress himself but also had to only dress his right side from the shoulder.  It was a weird situation.  He was buttoning the last of his jacket as he reached the bottom of the stairs, turning right and seeing something he had hoped for for a long time; Keith and Pidge with their arms around one another, approaching the mess hall while they chatted quietly.  He pulled out his phone and opened the message from Allura, bringing up the camera and sending her a quick snapshot with a brief message before walking towards the two as he put it away again.

‘Good morning.’  He said as he reached them, Pidge physically jumping and he was sure she would have pulled away from Keith had his arm not been firmly around her.

‘Shiro, hey.’  Keith greeted him with a proud smile.

‘I’m glad to see you two finally did something…’

‘Whoa!’  Pidge interrupted, eyes wide.  ‘We didn’t do anything!  Not like that!  I mean…’

Shiro laughed.  ‘I meant did something about your feelings for one another.’

‘Oh.’  She breathed, relieved.  ‘I guess we did.’

‘We did.’  Keith confirmed.  ‘I asked her on a date yesterday.’

‘And you got this just from asking for a date?’  Shiro said with enough exaggeration they knew he knew something else had happened.

‘You want a fully labelled diagram?’  Keith replied saltily.

‘Just your assurance that although you’re sharing a room you’re still not rushing into something more physical.’  Shiro looked between them and Pidge’s blush was enough to let him know the subject hadn’t even been broached let alone anything else.

‘We kissed!’  Pidge said defensively, and certainly louder than she meant to as they had just entered the mess hall.

‘Woooooo!!!!’  The cheer came from Lance, they all knew without even having to look over, but they did all the same, finding him on his feet with his hands raised above his head in celebration.  Hunk was beside him, Veronica opposite them, both applauding quietly, while further across the room Griffin seemed to be handing Rizavi a few bills.  ‘About damn time!’

Pidge tried to turn to leave but Keith kept his arm around her.  ‘It’s fine, Katie, we’ve got this, I’m with you.’

‘Lance had to beat us here, didn’t he?’  She grumbled.

‘This will just get it out of the way before Italy.’  Keith assured her as the three of them joined the line for food.

‘I guess.’  Pidge muttered and Keith couldn’t resist pressing a kiss to her cheek that made her smile despite her irritation.

‘That’s better.’

‘Yeah, okay.’  She nudged him with her shoulder and he tightened his arm around her.  After a moment she rested her head on his chest with a contented sigh.  She had had no idea that such a simple shift in their relationship, one small moment, could make her feel so satisfied with life, no matter what else was going on.

The two took their trays and sat with the other Paladins and Veronica, who had now been joined by Romelle and Coran.

‘Well now, isn’t this a turn up for the books.’  Coran said cheerfully as Pidge offered Keith her toast and he passed her his milk.  ‘Never thought you’d get around to it, despite acting like an old married couple all this time.’

‘Despite acting like what now?’  Pidge pulled a face at him as she froze with the milk in her hand about to add it to her coffee.

‘You didn’t know?’  Romelle laughed.  ‘Until I was told otherwise I assumed you were in a relationship but were private about it.’

‘We are not like an old married couple.’  Keith said defensively, making Lance all but choke on his breakfast, everyone looking at him as he tried to laugh, breathe, and swallow at the same time.

‘Sorry, Coran is right, you really are.’  Hunk gave apologetic smile.  ‘Like right now.’

‘What?’  They both stopped what they were doing.

‘Keith, you got Pidge’s sugar and you’re even now loading her cup.’

They looked down at their hands, Keith tipping packets of sugar into her coffee as she stirred.  How many times had they done this without realising?  It had become a routine for them.  Pidge always forgot sugar, Keith realised and compensated for her.  She never ate her toast so more often than not he did, and she liked extra milk.  It never occurred to them that they were in such a synchronised  routine together.

‘Uh.’  Pidge rested her spoon on her tray and blushed as Keith carried on what he had started.

‘Is there a problem with it?  With us being an…us?’  Keith glared at everyone before blatantly taking Pidge’s hand on the table between the trays and lacing their fingers.  ‘Because you’re acting like it’s a big deal.’

‘Defensive much?’  Lance asked before nodding to Shiro as he took a seat.

‘If I have to be, yeah.’  Keith turned his gaze on Lance who shrugged.

‘You don’t have to be defensive with us, mullet, it was a compliment, I’m sure.  Right, Coran?’

‘Absolutely.’  Coran poked at his scrambled eggs while examining them carefully.  ‘Being completely in sync and comfortable with one another was something highly regarded as the pinnacle of a relationship on Altea.  Some couples spent their entire lives trying to reach the state of synchronicity you two have.’

‘If it’s just a matter of synchronicity then it’s understandable.’  Pidge replied as she stirred her cereal.

‘Very much, especially for the two of you.’  Shiro joined the conversation for the first time since sitting beside Keith.  ‘You’ve had to work together from day one, as the arms of Voltron, and then later when Keith took over piloting black, just in a different way.’

‘And there’s the way we all bond through our lions.’  Hunk pointed out.  ‘It makes total sense that we’re all close, but you two have…I mean, are, um…’  He looked to Shiro for help.

‘You two have a connection that runs deeper than just the spiritual and intuitive ones needed for Voltron.’

‘Are you talking mystical or something else?’  Keith asked as he finally began to pay attention to his food.

‘Something else, more emotional.’  Shiro replied.  ‘We have all felt the connection through the lions, we all care for one another, but the two of you go beyond friendship.’

‘Okay, I think I get it now.’  Pidge nodded before eating some of her cereal, hoping that if she said that then the matter would be dropped.  She was worried someone might mention the “L” word and, considering she and Keith had just got together, it was kind of soon to be bandying that around, even if she was pretty sure that was exactly what she felt for him.  She didn’t want to scare him off.

‘It does make sense.’  Keith looked around the table.  ‘Sorry if I jumped down your throats, I just wasn’t expecting an inquisition over my toast.’

‘Which, by the way, you could butter easier if you let go of Pidge’s hand.’  Lance waved his fork in their general direction and Keith realised he was right.

‘Right, sorry.’  He flashed Pidge a small smile before releasing her hand, allowing her to hold her bowl still as she ate.

‘No problem.’  She smiled, quickly slurping up the dribble of milk that threatened to run down her chin.

‘So, is everyone ready for the off?’  Shiro asked to fill the silence that had descended over them.

Everyone answered affirmatively and soon the conversation slipped into something more normal, less questioning of new relationships, and Pidge was grateful.  Familiar she could deal with, interrogations about her personal life she would rather not.

Notes:

Next up: Pidge gets an idea

Chapter 21: Medical Mystery

Summary:

Pidge looks over the medical notes of the mystery altean.

Notes:

Huzzah! Look! A chapter! So, before you get to that, if you're interested, here's what I've been up to! I've copied and pasted it from FTACE (miraculous fic) so if you've been there you've probably already read it!

My apologies to you all, I have not abandoned ship (get it?) but I have been having a rough time over the last few months.

To sum up: eating making me vomit leading to docs changing meds which increased pain and didn't stop vomiting. Being a mum. Problems with my ex. Getting distracted by otome games. Finding I qualify for legal aid. All the rigmarole that goes with legal aid. Mum having knee surgery and staying with us (she still can't drive even now, ten weeks later). Daughter's sickness getting so bad she has been referred yet again, this time to hopefully get her a diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos syndrome, and dealing with her school being basically buttmunches and threatening me.

Bringing us up to date this week, last Friday I had to have one of my older cats put to sleep (incurable, but still a hard decision), and today I have had my ex harassing me to the point of me crying harder than I have in a long time and hanging up on him, only for the harassment to continue in text format.

Our court date for our first hearing is supposed to happen this Wednesday, and I have been trying to contact the court since November to ask for an adjournment and change of location, as it is an hour from me and I have no way to get there or anyone to act as carer, and finally today it has been sorted. I want the matter sorted but if I can't attend it's a bit of a problem. So today, with all the harassment, has been a bit of a shitshow.

Yeah, I haven't felt like writing much but a couple of oneshots! But you've all always been so supportive that I wanted to have the chance to update you and give you a chapter to boot!

So, enjoy, I think I updated you all on what's been going on, and hopefully didn't depress you all in the process!

Oh, also, I still haven't got my new car or permission to take my electric wheelchair outdoors, so no progress there! Now you can read!

Pidge sat crosslegged on the bed with her laptop before her.  She had plugged in the data device Allura had given her and was now watching her personal encryption program running through the data.  There wasn’t a lot here but she wasn’t sure how quiet Allura wanted it kept so decided caution was best.  No one would know what she had been looking at, no one would be able to uncover anything she found that the medics had missed.  She knew the medical doctors didn’t like outsiders meddling with patient data but the paladins just had a better grasp on what was actually possible, a lot of what they had dealt with the last few years coming beyond the realms of speculation for even the most vivid imagination.

Pidge’s eyes flitted over the scans and x-rays, already knowing the only visible sign was the shading of the parasite, but it still didn’t feel completely right.  What were they missing?  The next page held blood and culture numbers, some columns registering as zero due to the form being designed for human haematology results, others higher than they should be, but for an altean, who knew?  She tapped at her keyboard and initiated a call to Allura, hoping she was alone or at least with people they trusted, and as she answered Keith came through the door.  Pidge waved at him in greeting before answering Allura.

‘Yeah, it’s me.’  She said as Keith sat beside her and kissed her cheek.  ‘Can you talk?’

‘Just a moment.’  Allura said, followed by the sound of her shoes on a metallic floor and a door opening and closing.  ‘Go ahead, Pidge.’

‘I was just looking over the data you gave me.’  She said as Keith took a seat beside her and she turned her laptop so he could see the information.

‘Did you find something?’  Allura asked hopefully and Pidge felt a pang of guilt at not having anything for her.

‘Not really, not yet, but I was wondering if we had what classes as a normal blood count for alteans?  Something we can compare it to?’

‘It’s true, our blood composition is a little different to yours.’  Allura said understandingly.  ‘Would it help?’

‘Maybe.  Do you have a composite of the elements found in your blood?  Or does Coran?  Because comparing the numbers to what would count as I guess average readings might help.’

‘Why do you only guess average?’

‘Because there’s only three of you, not including the patient, to tap samples from, and if we only use you, as far as I can tell, you’re pretty damn powerful.  Your readings might be different.’

‘That is a very fair comment.  Thank you, Pidge.  I will have Coran and Romelle meet me in the infirmary and send you the data as soon as we have it.’

‘Great.  I’ll close this back up until later.  Speak to you soon.’

She cut the contact and turned her face towards Keith, giving him the opportunity to steal a brief kiss.  ‘Working for Allura?’

‘Yeah, although I need the comparison for me to get any further, I think.  Are the lions all loaded?’

‘Ready and waiting.’  He pointed to the clock on her display.  ‘And we still have half an hour to say our goodbyes.’

‘We’re not going to be gone long.’  She reminded him as she shut down her laptop.  ‘But I would like to stop in and say bye to Mom, Dad, Matt, and Bae Bae.’

‘I thought you might say that.’  He got to his feet and she followed him a moment later.  ‘Get that done and I’ll see you for takeoff?’

‘What are you going to do?’  She asked as they headed towards the door together, her little finger brushing the back of his hand subconsciously until his fingers entwined with hers.

‘I have to check a couple more things with Shiro, nothing important.’  He shrugged.

‘Okay, I’ll see you soon.’

‘Promise.’  He cupped her cheek with his palm and gave her such a soft, lingering kiss that it left Pidge leaning further towards him even when he broke the contact, a small smug smile on his face.  ‘You can get the rest when we reach Italy.’

‘Tease!’  She called after him as he walked away, trying to remember how her legs worked.

Notes:

Coming next: A little sibling disagreement before departure.

Chapter 22: Holt Goodbyes

Summary:

Colleen has her own insurance policy (and still hasn't forgiven her daughter for going space-galavanting) and Matt has his reasons.

Notes:

Hi all!

Well didn't this go up quickly! No reason, I just wanted to post something a bit more interesting and what better than a little sibling banter! I have a younger sister and brother, she is 3 years younger, him 14 years younger, and for anyone saying that sibling don't call one another bro or sis you're wrong! Me and my bro do so, sometimes I text him bruh, so it does happen, but it tends to be the exception rather than the rule! Maybe it's because of our big age gap, because my sister liked to call me fuck face so...

Anyway, on with the story!

‘Mom, it’s just a week!’  Pidge’s mumbled voice came from her mom’s shoulder where her face was buried, making Matt laugh as Bae Bae jumped up at their legs.

‘She’s been further and for longer, Mom.’  He reminded them unnecessarily, which earned him a glare from both women.

‘Yes, but this time I get the chance to actually say goodbye.’  She gave Pidge one last squeeze before letting her go, as though to remind her she was still mad about the whole running away to the garrison then space thing.

‘Yeah, okay.’  Pidge straightened her tunic but was immediately engulfed by Sam. ‘Dad, you already hugged me!’

‘There’s no law saying I can only hug my little girl once.’

‘There should be.’  She grumbled despite closing her eyes and holding him tight, remembering the last few times they had had to say goodbye.

‘Now, Katie, you don’t mean that.’

‘Yeah, okay, maybe not.’  She admitted as he kissed the top of her head before letting her go.

‘Don’t forget you have to radio in when you reach Rome.’

‘I won’t.’  She promised as she grabbed the duffle bag of clothes from her old room that she and Colleen had bought during her last stay on Earth but she hadn’t taken with her.  ‘And I won’t forget to brush and floss.’

‘Make sure you do.’  Colleen insisted.

‘You’re not coming down to the hangar, right?’

‘I have to prepare to leave with Atlas.’  Sam told her.

‘And I don’t want to embarrass you.’  Colleen gave her a challenging look, as though daring her to say it was true, when she would no doubt insist on doing so.

‘I’m leaving now.’  Pidge replied diplomatically as she headed towards the door.

‘I’ll go with you.’  Matt said, briefly hugging Sam before kissing Colleen on the cheek.  ‘See you soon.’

They were almost at the hangar before Pidge spoke again.  Matt was being uncharacteristically quiet and she didn’t trust it one bit.  ‘So, why are you doing this?’   Pidge asked.

‘Doing what?’   Matt asked innocently.

‘Walking me to Green, seeing me off.  Are you planning on giving me the big brother talk?’

He laughed.  ‘No, I wasn’t planning to.  But while we’re on the subject.’

‘Jesus Christ, Matt!  You’re so unsubtle!’  She shook her head.

‘It might not be such a bad idea, you know?  What with you and Keith sharing a room.’

‘We might not be sharing on the tour.’

‘No, but just in case.’  He shrugged.

Pidge groaned and rolled her eyes.  ‘I’ll use protection, Allura fixed me up with some Altean birth control when my periods went nuts in space, and we literally just kissed!  And I don’t know if I’m ready to rush into…physical things!’

‘You might think that now,’ he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, ‘but you kids with your raging hormones and peer pressure…’

‘Matt, you and Keith are almost the same age!’  She shoved him away from her playfully.

‘Which means I’m an expert!’  He pushed her back as he laughed.  ‘But in all seriousness, if you want me to pick you up some more traditional means of protection, just let me know.’

‘Ugh.’  Pidge groaned.  ‘Fine, I promise not to do anything stupid, and if you say anything to imply Keith is the stupid I might do then I will punch you in the dick.’

‘Well, that’s fair, seeing as you can’t reach much higher.’

Pidge didn’t answer with words, instead she swung her bag in an arc towards him, turning as she did so.  When her bag struck home she was facing him with an irritated look on her face.  ‘I’m big enough to kick your ass, and don’t you forget it.’

‘Aw, come on!  You know you love me!  You went to space to look for me!’  He said as he regained the breath she had knocked from him.

‘Go quiznak yourself, Matt.’  She called over her shoulder as she turned and walked faster ahead of him.

She was through the doors and halfway to Green by the time he caught her up.  ‘I’m only teasing.  You know I’m just looking out for you, right?’

‘Yeah, I know.’  She gave him a sideways glance, her expression still unhappy.  ‘But first you tease me about my crush on Keith and when we finally get together you side step from annoying brother to annoying protective brother!  I’m old enough to know what I’m doing, who I’m doing, and how to protect myself while I’m doing it!’  It was only when her voice echoed around the hangar that she realised she had been yelling and they had the attention of everyone else who was there loading up and doing pre-flight checks.  ‘I hate you.’  She muttered before ducking her head and forging ahead towards Green.

‘No you don’t.’  He reminded her again.

‘No, I don’t.’  She concurred, stopping at the foot of the ramp into Green.  ‘I’ll see you in a week.  You have that time to get your head out of your ass and be supportive.’

‘I thought I was being supportive.’  He shrugged with a cheeky grin on his face.

‘If that’s what you want to call it.’  She scoffed.  ‘I think Merriam Webster would argue with your definition.’

‘C’mon.’  He approached slowly, his arms wide open for her.  ‘Give your brother a hug.  Mom will worry if we part on bad terms.’

‘We’re never really on bad terms, it’s just you’re a teasing asshole.’  She replied, stepping into his arms and allowing him to pull her in, squeezing her tightly.

‘I’m your teasing asshole.’

‘Yeah, yeah.’  She mumbled.  ‘Just try and have as much of the asshole as you can gone before I get back, okay?  You have a week.’

‘A week?’  Matt leant back and grinned at her.  ‘I’m coming with you.’

‘You’re…I’m sorry, what?’  Pidge blinked slowly as she tried to process what he had said.

‘I said I’m coming with you.’  He let her go and started up the ramp.  ‘My bags are already on board.’

‘Hey!  I pilot this cat!  You want on board you have to get my permission!’  She followed him, finding his bag in the hold already.

‘Actually, Mom suggested I come along.’

‘I don’t need a chaperone.’  She threw her bag down and headed towards the cockpit.  ‘And I don’t need you along.  Get your bag and get out of my Lion.’

‘Hi, Mom.’

‘You’re telling on me?’  Pidge gasped as she ran back towards him.  ‘Hang up that phone, now!’

‘Yeah,’ he continued, turning side-on so she couldn’t reach the phone, ‘Katie doesn’t want me to go with her.’

‘You tattler!’  She punched him in the arm.

‘It’s for you.’  Matt held the phone out to her with a smile.

‘You bastard.’  She scowled as she took the phone.  ‘Hi, Mom.’

‘Katie, did you just cuss at your brother?’

Pidge winced at the tone in Colleen’s voice, knowing she was in trouble for that alone, and probably more.  ‘Just a little, but he started it.’  She said defensively.  ‘He wants to come to Italy with me!  I don’t need him in Italy, I need him here with you and, Bae Bae.’

‘Bae Bae and I managed just fine while you were off playing galactic hero.’  Pidge cringed as she was reminded of the fact.  ‘The least you can do this time is have Matthew with you to call me and keep me up to date.’

‘What makes you think I won’t call?’  She kicked Matt behind the knee as she passed, knocking it out from under him.  He caught himself on the wall with an indignant; ‘Hey!’

‘Please, Katie, I know you won’t call.’  Colleen laughed.  ‘Just accept Matt is going with you and move on, you’re on a schedule.’

‘Mom…’

‘No more arguing!’

‘Ugh, fine.  I’ll get the suck up to call you when we land.’

‘Love you, Katie.’  Colleen said cheerily.

‘Love you too, Mom.’  She hung up and threw Matt’s phone to him.  ‘Okay, fine, you’re coming too, but no…big brothering me.’

‘Real talk, Pidge.’  He said as he followed her to the cockpit.  ‘I’m happy for you and Keith, really.  He’s a great guy and he adores you, but I don’t want you to think that just because your relationship has changed that you have to rush anything.  I’m not saying never, just make sure you’re certain, and prepared.’

Pidge sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, pressing her lips together.  ‘You know, if you’d said that in the first place chances are I wouldn’t have reacted how I did?’

‘Where’s the fun in that?’

She whipped her head around to find him smiling apologetically and it completely dissolved any remaining anger she held towards him.  ‘You suck.’

‘You love me.’  He hugged her tightly from behind.  ‘Anyway, I do have an ulterior motive for going to Italy.’

‘Sounds suspicious.’  She narrowed her eyes at him as she started her preflight checks before going into the back and removing her garrison jacket so she could slip on her armour.

‘Not suspicious, just…something.’

‘Suspicious.’  She sung.  ‘Because if you’re not spilling the beans immediately then you’re plotting.’

‘Not plotting.’  He hung up her jacket that she had thrown haphazardly on the floor.  ‘Planning maybe.’

‘What are you planning, exactly?’

‘A little shopping.’  He shrugged.

‘That’s all?’  She asked in disbelief.  ‘Because the mall is kinda open here again now.  It would save you the trip.’

‘Not something I can get at the mall.’

She looked at him in confusion.  ‘Panettone?’  She suggested his favourite holiday sweet treat.  ‘Because I can just bring you some home.’

‘Not panettone.’  He shook his head.  ‘Don’t sweat it, Pidge.  It was just something someone mentioned they liked and I thought I’d do something nice and bring it back for them.’

Pidge narrowed her eyes and looked at him hard.  ‘Who’s the girl?’

‘Who said it’s a girl?’  He said defensively, far more defensively than he should have to be innocent.

‘So, not a girl, a guy then.’  She shrugged.  ‘I’m open-minded.  Whatever floats your boat, man.’

‘Okay, a girl.’  Matt admitted as his cheeks flushed a dusky pink.  ‘But she hasn’t shown any interest in me, not like that.  I just want to do something nice for her.’

‘You mean to make her notice you.’  Pidge smirked.  ‘Is it someone from the garrison?’

‘I’m not telling you who it is, Pidge.’  He stated.  ‘There’s nothing between us.’

‘You’re no fun.’  She picked up her helmet and walked past him into the cockpit.  ‘But I bet it’s someone I know, or you’d have said I don’t know her.’

‘It doesn’t matter, I’m still not telling you.’

Pidge thought for a moment, slipping on her helmet as she took her seat.  ‘Is it Rizavi?  I remember seeing the two of you in the lab last week.’

‘Not Rizavi.  Don’t keep pushing.’  He shoved her shoulder before taking his seat for takeoff.

‘I’m not pushing, I’m asking.’  She pressed a few buttons on the console before opening communication with the garrison.  ‘This is Captain Holt, prepared for takeoff.’

‘Tower to Captain Holt; Captains Kogane and McClain are just finalising their preflight checks then you’re clear for takeoff.’

‘Roger that.’  Pidge replied.  ‘You there, Keith, Lance?’

‘I hear you, Pidge.’  Keith replied.

‘Same.’  Lance added.  ‘No mushy stuff over the comms now, you two.’

Pidge rolled her eyes.  ‘Hey, we can be professional, thank you very much.  Also, don’t know if you were told, but we have another passenger.’

‘Who?’  Keith asked.

‘Matt.’

‘Hey, guys.’  Matt said, leaning forward slightly.

‘Good to have you along, buddy.’  Lance spoke as he slipped on his helmet.  ‘To what do we owe the pleasure?’

‘I need to pick something up in Italy, no big deal.’

‘Except it’s a secret.’  Pidge gave him a teasing sideways glance.

‘Who’s the girl?’  Lance asked.

‘He’s not telling.’

‘We’ll have a few drinks later and get it out of him.’

‘Not gonna work!’  Matt called and Pidge laughed as she replied.

‘That sounds like a challenge.’

‘Accepted.’  Lance and Keith chimed as one.

‘You’re going down.’  Pidge grinned at Matt as he settled back in his seat.

‘I’m still not telling.’  He crossed his arms, irritated at how quickly Pidge had been able to turn the tables on him.

Notes:

Coming next! Benvenuti in Italia!!

Chapter 23: The Italian Job

Summary:

The Paladins arrive in Italy. Pidge admits her fears to Matt.

Notes:

Hey all!

Yup, I'm doing a mass update today!!! I'm going out in an hour and I've been so exhausted lately that if I don't do something to keep myself busy I will fall asleep, so posting it is!

‘That’s it; Piazza Navona.’  Keith said as their destination came into view.  The rectangular marketplace was clear of pedestrians with only the Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi in the centre.  The edges were decorated with banners and signs, hanging from buildings and being waved by the crowd held back by barricades, all cheering their arrival.  The far end held a rostrum filling almost the entire width, various officials standing in line awaiting their moment in the spotlight with the galactic heroes.  Beside them, in their official capacity, stood Jameson and Liliana.

‘Hey, Matt,’ Pidge said casually, ‘wanna try on my armour and stand in for me?’

He laughed.  ‘Sorry, you’re on your own.  They want to see you, darling of the garrison.’

‘Oh please, I’m not the darling of anything.’

Lance’s scoff came over the comms and Pidge immediately rolled her eyes at whatever was about to come.  ‘Come on, Pidge, even Zethrid and Ezor knew we’re all protective of you.  It’s only natural everyone else is too, you’re the cute one.’

‘I am not cute!’  She yelled as Matt started laughing behind her.

‘You are too, you’re so cute!’  Matt patted the top of her helmet, making her shrink in on herself.

‘Screw you guys!’

‘Concentrate, we’re supposed to be professionals.’  Keith reminded them.

‘Yeah, professional what though?’  Pidge muttered.

Keith heard but chose to ignore her, letting her have the last word and smirking at her sass.  It was one of the reasons he had fallen for her, after all.  He radioed to let the Italian authorities know they were coming in to land before speaking to his fellow paladins again.  ‘Okay, guys.  I’ll take the centre, Pidge on my left, Lance my right.  Got it?’

‘Got it.’  They replied almost in unison before beginning their descent.

The landing took just minutes and Pidge was soon removing her helmet, shaking her hair to get rid of the sensation it left.

‘You coming?’  She turned to Matt as he hadn’t got up when she did.

‘I think I might stay out of the way, I’ll join you when we go to the accommodation.’

She tilted her head and frowned at him.  ‘Come on, at least disembark with us.  You can just melt into the crowd or stay behind the scenes or something.’

‘Don’t you trust me on your lion alone?’  He grinned at her.

‘She’ll spit you out before you mess with anything.’  She returned the smile.  ‘But to tell you the truth, Matt, I’d feel better with you out there with me.’

That made him frown and he got to his feet, following her through to the cargo hold.  ‘You have Keith and Lance, surely they’re enough for even your loathing of posturing for a crowd?’

‘Forget about it, it was a joke.’  She replied flippantly.  ‘I was just trying to convince you to come out with us.  You can stay here and sneak off into the crowd whenever you’re ready.’

‘You weren’t joking, Pidge.  Something bothers you about this situation.’

She shrugged.  ‘The last time we did this Keith and I had plausible deniability, that there was nothing between us.  Now if they ask it’s somehow going to be worse.’

‘That’s all in your head.’

‘Of course it is!  The problem is if it comes out of my mouth!’

‘If they already think you’re together surely that makes it less awkward?’  Matt asked as he followed her towards the lowering ramp.

‘And if some idiot follows your lead and tries to get us to kiss?  This is our business!  I don’t want Keith to regret it as soon as it goes public!’

‘I think regret is the last thing on Keith’s mind when it comes to you.’  Matt raised his voice over the cheering of the crowd outside.  ‘At least this time if someone asks then just kiss him.  It doesn’t have to be anything flashy and, honestly, a little romance after what the world has been through gives people hope.’

‘Yeah, well, you wanna hope Keith feels the same way.’  She muttered, taking the first step down the ramp.

‘Aw, c’mon, Pidge, I’m sure he can’t be that bad at kissing.’  Matt called after her.

Pidge shot him a glare over her shoulder before flipping him off.  ‘Quiznak you, Matt!’

Notes:

Coming up next: One of my fave little chapters, back at the garrison with the Alteans!

Chapter 24: Confused Coran

Summary:

Alteans think that Earth medicine is barbarous!

Notes:

First off, I LOVED writing Coran in this chapter! That is all!

Second! How is everyone? Dealing okay with the pandemic/lockdowns/isolation? Not a lot is different here! Other than lockdown, I'm still not leaving the house anyway, I just have my girls for company!

Okay, so I am, probably stupidly, doing a little running around of essential shopping for my mum, and my Nan who is 91, but that's few and far between. Thankfully I have the new Animal Crossing game for company while I suffer from writer's block, among other things! My pain is ridiculously high, but my car is all ready to be dropped off once the limitations are lifted, so there will be freedom in more ways than one at the end of it all!

Lastly, thanks for sticking with me while I'm dealing with everything! It really means a lot!

‘All done.’  Allura passed a cotton ball to Romelle, who looked at it curiously.

‘What’s this for?’  She asked as Allura placed the blood sample into the machine.

‘Apparently, it’s something the humans give after a blood test, although I’ve no idea why.’  She shrugged as Coran looked over her shoulder.

‘It’s to stop the bleeding.’  He said nonchalantly, his finger reaching towards the readings before Allura slapped his hand away.

‘To stop the bleeding?  What bleeding?’  Romelle frowned.

‘Well, when they take a blood sample it’s not as refined as our method.  Instead of simply scanning the results through the skin they stick a needle in their arm and draw blood straight from the vein.’

Romelle rolled her eyes.  ‘Nice try, Coran.  Half of the things you’ve told me about humans and their culture have been ridiculously off.  I choose to believe they aren’t as primitive as you say they are.  Putting needles in veins, indeed.’

‘In this case, it’s true.’  Allura said as she sent the results off to Pidge.  ‘For some reason, for all their advances in technology, in most cases they still need a sizeable blood sample to get even the simplest of results.’

‘That’s barbaric!’  She gasped in horror.  ‘Why would you choose to allow someone to stab you?’

‘They claim it’s relatively painless.’  Coran sniffed his cotton ball.  ‘I assume this is made of the same stuff their cotton candy is?’

Romelle and Allura shared a look.  ‘I’m sorry, what?’

‘Cotton balls.  They must have a similar composition to cotton candy, otherwise, why share the name?  Maybe it doubles as some sort of sweet treat to take away the memory of the needle.’  Before Allura could correct him he popped the cotton ball in his mouth, almost immediately spitting it back out.  ‘Nope, not the same.’

‘Just what do you need the readings for?’  Romelle asked, trying to ignore Coran as he continued to pull little bits of fluff out of his mouth.

‘For a comparison to the Altean in the medical unit.’

‘Is there any further progress with her?’

‘Not yet.’  Allura turned at the sound of the tap turning on, finding Coran rinsing his mouth.  ‘Coran, just go and rinse properly.’

‘No, this is fine.’  He continued.  ‘What are you looking for in the comparison?’

‘Anything.’  She sighed.  ‘We’re still no closer to figuring out why she won’t wake.  It was Pidge who suggested it.’

‘Well, I hope you’re not holding out hope that she’ll be any help with it.’

‘What do you mean?’  Allura frowned as Coran finally turned off the tap and wiped at his moustache.

‘I mean she’s a human and she’s now in a relationship with Keith.  Because of their short lifespan she will begin seeking him out for procreation at every opportunity until she’s with child.’

‘That doesn’t sound very much like Pidge.’  Romelle pulled a face.

‘But it is the human way.’  Coran said knowledgeably.  ‘At it like yalmors in mating season.’

‘Colleen and Sam are very much in love and they aren’t…at it like yalmors.’  Allura was certain he was wrong and hoped this might end the conversation.

‘Because they’re in their twilight years.  Past their prime.  They’ve already passed on their genes.’

‘I’m sure Pidge won’t allow physical attraction to interfere with her job.’

‘It’s not just Pidge though, there’s Keith’s desire to copulate with her as well.  It’s a complicated thing, from what I understand, human mating.’

‘I don’t think I want any more details on human mating, thank you.’  Romelle wrinkled her nose.

‘Oh, really?’  Allura shot her a knowing grin.

‘Yes, really…why are you looking at me like that?’

‘No reason.’ Allura turned her attention back to finishing the message to Pidge.

‘Then if there’s nothing else I’ll be going.’  She started toward the door.

‘No, that’s all.  Thank you for your help.’

‘You’re welcome.’

As the door closed Coran stepped close to Allura, who was barely keeping her amusement in check.

‘Maybe, as Keith is half Galra, the mating customs will differ.’  He said casually.

‘Mmm, maybe.’

‘And maybe they’ll differ again with a human and an altean.’

Allura grinned at Coran.  ‘Only time will tell.’

Notes:

Next chapter! Pidge is bored. Jameson is a jerk. Lance is flirty. Liliana is distracted. Keith is wary. Matt steps up.

Chapter 25: Presentation and Accomodation

Summary:

The presentations in Italy take place, Jameson really tries his luck and Pidge's patience, Matt forgets his sibling is a sister.

Notes:

Heyo!!!!!!!

How are we all doing? Surviving I hope and not going too crazy, like the rest of the world!!!

So, what's new...Nothing, obviously! Or not much! Lots of pain at the mo have laid rest to my plans of a little painting around the house, however I have reread this entire fic and started writing it again! I am struggling so much at the moment I'm not sure how much I'll get done but I'm hoping to get my groove back! Wish me luck!

 

The introductions and presentation of local gifts to the Paladins took longer than it should have, or at least Pidge thought so.  First there was a speech by the local garrison representative, then she introduced the President.  His speech was over twenty minutes long, Pidge knew that for a fact as she subtly timed it on her wrist display.  Lance looked over and nudged her lightly, giving her a grin that said he knew what she was doing and an eye roll that said he was just as bored.  They were each presented with a medal of honour for their services to the planet from the people of Italy and then it was time for photos.  Pidge knew people commemorated with photos, her mom had made her sit for enough family ones over the years, but when video was so high quality she always wondered why at events like this they were made to sit, or in this case stand, through photos when there would be thousands of screenshots to choose from.  She would rather someone chose from screenshots about now than continue posing.

When they were eventually allowed to leave they were met at the side of the staged area by their envoys and Matt, who had snuck off Green while the crowd were distracted by the heroes.

‘I think that went well.’  Jameson clapped his hands together as they reached him.  ‘Just a few pointers; Captain Kogane, if you could say a few words next time that would be great, and Captain Holt, it would be better if you used that pretty smile of yours instead of pouting.’

‘Used my what now?’  Pidge replied as Matt hugged her, distracting her from what Jameson had said.

‘You were great up there, absolutely natural.  I told you you didn’t need me.’

‘I don’t think you actually said that, you just gave excuses.’  She stepped back again.  ‘What’s happening next?’

‘Next,’ Liliana began, ‘we’ll take you to the accommodation, where you can freshen up.  The festival goes on until late and the garrison suggested you be seen out among the people for a little while.’

‘Sounds like fun.’  Lance grinned broadly.  ‘Are you going to accompany me?’

‘Uh…that’s up to you, I suppose.  It’s not mandatory.’

‘Have you ever been to Italy before?’  Lance leant a little closer to her and it took Liliana a few moments to remember she wasn’t supposed to be staring into his baby blues, she was supposed to answer.

‘Actually, no.  I haven’t.’

‘Well, neither have I.  How about we get lost together?’

‘I’d…it sounds better than being lost alone.’  She smiled shyly.

‘Great!  Then how about I ditch my luggage and we can see what this festival has to offer?’

‘It sounds good.’  She agreed, yet again reminding herself she wasn’t here for romance, she wasn’t here on a date, but how was she supposed to remember that when Lance McClain looked so…handsome all the time?

‘We’ll accompany all of you to the festival.’  Jameson stepped close to Pidge as he spoke and she fought the urge to step away.  His closeness made her uncomfortable.  ‘That’s our job as envoys, after all.’

‘I think we’ll be okay.’  Keith stated.  ‘Right, Pidge?’

‘Right.  We’ve explored alien civilisations.  Rome should be a breeze.’

‘All the same, I’d rather keep an eye on you all.’

‘That sounds like garrison orders.’  Pidge grumbled.  ‘We were told we’d have time to ourselves when we got here.’

‘Perhaps they just meant time out of the spotlight while milling with the locals.’  Jameson suggested.  ‘Shall we?’

Pidge’s spine shot straight as she felt Jameson’s hand land on her lower back but one quick side step put her on Matt’s other side.  ‘It would be nice to freshen up.’  She tried not to glare at their envoy.  Maybe he was was touchy feely, or wasn’t used to interacting with women, not that it was an excuse, but she didn’t need him treating her like some fragile flower or new play thing.

‘Let’s go.’  Keith put himself on Pidge’s other side, his gloved fingertip subtly stroking the side of her hand comfortingly.  He had seen how uncomfortable Jameson’s actions made her and wanted to make sure she knew he was there for her.  Actually, that wasn’t true.  What he wanted was to get Jameson around the throat and warn him if he ever touched her again he would be eating his meals through a straw, but he resisted, he was proud of himself for that.

Pidge responded to Keith’s touch by catching his little finger with her own and giving it a brief squeeze, releasing him only when they reached their lions to direct those waiting to go ahead with their luggage.  She didn’t want protecting, she was quite capable, but Keith wanting to do so made her…happy?  Was that even the right word to describe the emotions she felt from such a simple act?  Probably not but this was all new to her.  She just liked it when he was protective of her, and it had always been done as part of the team, not just because she was the smallest, or a girl.

Their accommodation was only a few streets away.  It had been a hotel, perhaps it still was, but it bore signs of the war as did most places around the globe.  It didn’t hold the same hustle and bustle that a central city hotel should, the staff they saw were less hotel workers and more assigned by the local military, making the building feel more like a barracks.  Perhaps it was for their benefit, to keep security high; they were technically VIPs after all; but it felt weird for them to be escorted through such elegant surroundings by armed uniformed officials.

Liliana beckoned for Lance to follow her down one direction of the corridor while Jameson led in the other, Matt staying close by as their military escort waited by the elevator doors.

‘Okay, this first room is yours, Captain Kogane.’  Jameson handed over a keycard to Keith, who glanced briefly at Pidge, realising they were being housed separately.

‘Thanks.’  Keith replied, slipping it into the slot and opening the door but not entering.  ‘So we’ll all meet in the lobby in, what?  Half an hour?’

‘Works for me.’  Matt nodded.  ‘Pidge?’

‘Me too.’

‘Great.’

Jameson carried on down the corridor past the next door.  ‘This is my room, so you know where to find me if you need me.’  He smiled at Pidge as he held out a keycard.  ‘And you’re right next door.’

‘Thanks.’  Matt took the card off him.  ‘I had the garrison call ahead.  Pidge and I are sharing.’

‘We are?’

‘Wait, you are?’  Jameson frowned.  ‘There’s nothing about it in my paperwork.’

‘Last minute change of plans.  You were probably on your commercial flight at the time.’  Matt patted him on the shoulder.  ‘And what kind of a brother would I be if I let my little sis stay in a strange city all alone?’

‘A shitty one.’  Pidge smirked at him.  ‘Come on, let’s see what we’ve got.  Thanks, Jameson.’

Matt made sure Pidge was in the room before shooting a superbly smug smile at Jameson.  He closed the door and let out a disgusted sigh.  ‘Seriously, who is that guy?’

Pidge laughed as she walked over to the open windows, taking in the view of the street below, the sounds of the festival reaching her easily.  ‘Some jackass the garrison assigned.  So why did the garrison decide to make you my bunkmate?’

‘They didn’t.’  He admitted as he came to stand beside her.  ‘But after I saw how that jerk looked at you I wasn’t about to leave you to sleep alone.’

‘He’s an asshole, Matt, not a predator.  I can take care of myself.’

‘Okay, that first part is true, but the second I’m not so sure of.’

She frowned up at him.  ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean he leered at you the entire time you were on stage and it only got worse once you got down.’

‘Now you’re just being ridiculous, and if he checks with the garrison he’ll know we’re not bunking together.’

‘Not if I contact Dad and tell him why.’

‘He is not leering after me, or whatever it was you said.’  She turned and pulled her bag onto the bed.  ‘What are we going to do, about sleeping I mean?  One bed.’

‘We can share, it’s no different than when we used to go on cross country vacations with Mom and Dad and stay in motels.  Of course, if you don’t like that, you can always sneak over and bunk with Keith.’

Pidge shot him a glare.  ‘Did you do this on purpose?’

‘Yeah, to make sure you’re not alone long enough to give Letchy Letcherson next door any opportunities.’  He hooked his thumb towards the door.  ‘If it’s that much of a problem I can find out if there’s a twin room we can move to, or adjoining ones, but I’m not letting you sleep alone.’

‘You’re being overprotective.  And weird.’  She waved a finger at him before unzipping her bag.  ‘You’re keeping me out of the way of one guy while suggesting I get into bed with another.’

‘Yeah, but the difference is I trust Keith, I don’t trust this Jameson guy.’

‘High praise, coming from you.  Shorts or skirt?’

‘I thought I’d stick with pants, if that’s okay with you?’

‘I mean me, dumbass.’  She pulled out a pair of black and white spotted shorts and a black skater skirt.  ‘Mom got me some smart casual stuff so I’d be comfortable but presentable.’

‘How short are the shorts?’  He eyed them carefully as she held them up against herself.

‘About there.’

He looked at the sheer length of leg she would have on show and pulled a face.  ‘Definitely the skirt.  It’ll be smarter.’

‘The shorts are tailored so they look smart too, but alright.’  She pulled a green top from the bag.  ‘I’m going to change.  Don’t do anything else stupid before I get back.’

‘Nothing stupid, I promise.’  He called after her as she closed the bathroom door.  He only planned on doing smart things while she was gone.

Pidge stripped out of her armour and did a quick sniff check.  She still smelled fresh enough she didn’t need to shower and was glad about that.  It took less time for her to put on her clothes than it did to undress and she was soon examining herself in the vanity mirror.  Her mom was right, it was comfortable and smart casual, it just wasn’t something she was used to seeing herself in.  All the same she thought she looked…presentable.  She pulled her hair out of its ponytail and ran her fingers through it.  It was bouncy from the style but didn’t look too bad either.  A quick brush, some shoes, and she would be done.

Matt didn’t really need to change, he had travelled in light pants and a short sleeved white button down, so instead he started channel hopping, seeing what Italy had to offer now that global, and even galactic, entertainment channels were on air again.  He was just passing a rerun of a science show he and Pidge had watched as kids when she came out of the bathroom.  ‘Hey, guess what’s on?  I’ll give you a clue…you can’t go out like that!’

Pidge wrinkled her nose.  ‘I don’t remember any shows with that as a catchphrase.’

Matt clicked off the TV and sat up from where he had been lounging on the bed.  ‘No, you can’t go out like that!’  He gestured to her.

‘Why not?  Mom said it suited me.’  She glanced down at herself before taking her brush and anti-frizz spray out of the case.

‘Because you look like a girl!’

‘I am a girl.’  She deadpanned at him.

‘But…I can see your legs!’  He gestured more urgently.

‘Funny how that happens when you wear a skirt!’  She started spraying her hair.  ‘If you’re just going to moan about it don’t look.  I’m not dressed like this for you.’

‘You’re dressed like that for Keith.’

‘Actually I’m dressed like this for me.’  She fixed him with a glare.  ‘I haven’t worn feminine clothes of my own choice in years!  Let me have this!’

He came towards her.  ‘You gotta promise me you’ll sit with your legs crossed.  And don’t bend over.  Or lean forward.  Or…’

‘Good grief, Matt!’  She shoved him hard enough to knock him back to sit on the bed.  ‘Give me some credit!’

‘You’re my little sister…’

‘I’m twenty-one!  There had to come a day where I’d look like an actual woman instead of a tomboy!’  She waved her brush at him threateningly.  ‘And unless you want this crammed up your ass for talking crap you’ll be supportive of me and try and convince me that just because I feel like I look like an idiot doesn’t mean I actually do!’

He caught the brush with a sigh and pulled it out of her hand.  ‘Turn around.’  She did with a huffed breath as he got to his feet, running the brush through her hair as he spoke.  ‘You look great, you really do, but…’  He pulled a face at himself.  ‘I know I keep being protective…’

‘Overprotective.’

‘Okay, overprotective, but I do approve of you and Keith.  The outfit suits you, Mom’s right, I mean she’s always right, but she’s really right.  Keith will love you in it, just be careful that this Jameson guy doesn’t try to love you in it too.’

‘I appreciate you worrying, Matt, but if he does anything I don’t like then he’s going to get up close and personal with my bayard.  And not in a fun way.’

‘There’s a fun way to get electrocuted…you know what, I heard it, don’t answer it.’  He said as she chuckled.  ‘Your hair got long again.’

‘Not too long.  Just tameable.’

‘You’re done.’  He told her, holding the brush over her shoulder.  ‘Oh, and I forgot to tell you; Keith said to meet him early, in the lobby as soon as you’re ready.’

‘Just as well I didn’t want to shower.’  She threw her brush in her bag and looked for her shoes, a simple pair of black ballet pumps.  ‘Honestly, I look okay?’

‘You’ll knock him dead.  Keith metaphorically, Jameson maybe really if he tries anything.’

‘Maybe not kill him.  Slap down maybe.’

‘Okay, no murder.’  Matt held his arms out for her to step into.

‘I’ll be careful.’  She hugged him tight.  ‘But seriously, get your hormone levels checked for mood swings.  I can’t deal with this!’

‘Funny.’  He jabbed her in the ribs, making her flinch, before releasing her.  ‘I’ll see you around the festival.’

‘Don’t think you can’t hang with us if you want to.’  She pulled her small wallet out and tucked it in one of the two pockets hidden in the material of the skirt, another reason why she liked it.

‘And cramp your romantic style?  I’ll pass.’

‘Later, loser.’  Pidge saluted him sassily as she went out the door, leaving Matt to laugh while wondering if he really should get his hormones checked.

Notes:

Coming Next: *quickly checks* Keith and Pidge explore the festival!

Chapter 26: Matt-chmaker

Summary:

Matt meddles in a good way and Pidge and Keith get some time together.

Notes:

Yoohoo! Hello!

Yeah, I don't know why I chose to say hi like that, I'm weird a lot of the time!

Anyway, how's the pandemic/lockdown situation treating you all? Nothing much has changed here. I haven't been able to walk most of the week due to weakness and pain, but I did get some of my groove back and have written two more chapters! That brings me up to ten chapters ahead! I'm still a little distracted and not able to concentrate as much as I'd like to but it's a start!

Quick update on my girls: We're on countdown now towards Rhi-Rhi's 16th birthday! We're obviously planning a low key one for now, but I'll make it up to her! She knows what she wants to eat and I think she'll like the gifts I've managed to procure for now! She really is easy to buy for and hasn't really asked for much!
As for Boo, she's the only one with school work as R has technically left now. We're working together so she's not so lonely being the only one working, and although the government have made the decision to start filtering kids back to school starting with her year group from 1st June I have taken the decision to keep her home for the rest of term and home school her with work from the school. With so many health problems it seems like the safest option and won't get us penalised either. She understands and, while she misses her friends, she realises she may not be allowed to even hug me if she went back to school now. She doesn't want that so we're all in agreement!

Okay, that's about it on the updates. No news is good news on the courts front, I have a little more paperwork to get through next week but no biggie, my ex has been blessedly quiet and even Boo has remarked how much happier she is. I'd love them to have a good relationship with him but he's just not interested in what's best for them, especially when he can't be trusted not to poison the coeliac child!

So, now, on with the show, as it were! This is a nice long chapter so I think you'll enjoy!

When Keith got a message from Matt saying that Pidge wanted to meet earlier he wasn’t surprised.  She wasn’t one to take a long time getting ready and it definitely motivated him more.  He decided to take a quick shower without washing his hair to freshen up before putting on his black jeans and t-shirt, his hand pausing over his jacket before changing his mind.  It was probably a little too warm to wear it and, if he was honest, it was just habit.  He was back in the lobby with time to spare and sat on one of the plush couches, watching the world go by out of the glassed front until he heard the elevator ping its arrival.  He looked up in time to see Pidge, eyes on a floating display from her wrist computer, but that was the only thing about her that wasn’t out of the ordinary.  The top she wore was gypsy style, cutting across below her clavicle, leaving her shoulders bare and on display.  It fit her ribs perfectly and stopped about an inch from her skirt, giving a tantalising glimpse of more pale flesh.  The skirt floated around her thighs as she walked, her legs seeming longer than ever, until they reached the ballet pumps on her feet.  He didn’t remember getting up, yet he was on his feet as she reached him, giving him a cursory glance before returning to the screen.

‘Hey.’  She said casually.  ‘I just got the data from Allura.  Once I’ve transferred it over I’m good to watch where I’m going.’

‘Right.’  He said, still stunned by her appearance, her hair hanging loose and brushed until it shone, the usual fluff of untamed locks replaced by a wave of silk like strands.

‘You can guide me if you want to go now.  I’m almost done.’

‘Okay.’  He managed before deciding the best way to do so would be to wrap his arm around her waist, his thumb accidentally brushing her skin, and she jolted into him.

‘Easy, I’m ticklish.’

‘Noted.’  He laughed softly, moving his thumb onto the material of her skirt as she continued unperturbed.  She started walking when he did and they were soon outside in the bright sunshine, the screen adapting to the change in lighting immediately.

‘Two more things.’  Pidge muttered before the screen closed.  ‘And I’m done.’  She looked up at him, squinting in the sunlight.  ‘Wow, it’s bright.’

‘Maybe because you’re used to cosseting yourself away in dark labs?’

‘That’ll do it.’  She shrugged.  ‘Can I?’  She edged her arm around Keith and the innocence of her question made him smile warmly.

‘Any time you want.’

‘Great.  Are we just heading back towards Piazza Navona?’  She asked as she rested her hand on the waist of his jeans.

‘The festival does stem from there, and we just have to be seen and mingle.’

‘I hope they have plenty of food.  I’m hungry.’

‘There did seem to be a lot on offer.’

She looked at him curiously, an idea having popped into her head.  ‘Is this the date?

Keith was taken by surprise by her words and it took him a moment to think about it.  ‘I wanna say no?’  He replied hesitantly.  ‘When we go on our date it’ll just be the two of us, not a public event where people are looking at us, waiting for us to show up.  If anyone recognises us on our date then fine, we’ll make time for them, but this has been arranged for the publicity.  The date will be just for us.’

‘I can deal with that.’  She grinned.  ‘By the way, why did you want to meet early?’

‘Me?’  He gave her a puzzled look.  ‘Matt told me you wanted to meet early.’

Pidge pulled a face.  ‘Sneaky little shit.’  She muttered.  ‘I think this was his way of getting us out on our own and not having to wait for the others.  He approves of you, you know?’

‘I’m glad, because I thought he was going to be harder to win over than your folks.’  He laughed but there was truth behind his amusement.  He had worried how Sam and Colleen would take their daughter being with a half-Galran orphan, even though he knew in his heart that they at least  seemed to like him.

‘Don’t worry about him.’  She waved her hand dismissively.  ‘Yeah, he’s protective, yeah he’s a dick, but he does like you.  I do too.’

‘Well, that helps.’  He chuckled as he pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her hair.  ‘Also, I wanted to say but you kind of threw me, you look great.’

‘Oh, thanks!  I wasn’t sure, Mom said it was okay, I like that it’s comfy, but it’s different, and Matt complained he could see my legs.’

‘What’s wrong with that?’  Keith asked in confusion.  As far as he could see her legs were great.

‘I don’t even know.’  She shrugged as the sounds of the festival became loud enough that she had to raise her voice.  ‘I didn’t think they looked so bad.’

‘They don’t, at all.’  Pidge’s cheeks flushed not only at his compliment, but at the fact he had to have looked at her legs.  ‘Your whole outfit is great.’

Pidge opened her mouth to reply but a small gaggle of children ran by, laughing and shouting with balloons on strings.  ‘Guess we’re getting close.’

The Piazza Navona was heaving with people now that the barriers had been taken down.  More had been constructed around their lions, but stalls had sprung up in the centre as well as down every side street and alleyway.  People were serving homemade food, selling pottery and other handcrafted items, music filled the air, but not from an organised band, rather from locals coming together with various musical instruments, all playing together in harmony.  Around them, couples and small children danced, the entire atmosphere one of joy and celebration.

An elderly lady at a table spread with food beckoned to them, her face lighting up as she saw them.  She spoke rapidly in Italian, offering them both a small dish of what to Keith looked like set custard.

‘Panna cotta?’  Pidge asked as she took one, nudging Keith to do the same.

‘Pistacchio panna cotta.’  The woman specified.

‘È il mio preferito, grazie!’  Pidge replied as the woman passed them each a spoon.

‘Pistachio panna cotta?’  Keith asked as they walked away, Pidge already digging in.

‘Mmm.’  She ate the first bite, her tastebuds exploding at the creamy taste.  ‘It’s good.  She said it’s her family recipe.’

Keith sniffed it before taking a small bite, pleasantly surprised he nodded his approval.  ‘It is good.’

‘And I suspect that’s just the tip of the culinary iceberg.’  She laughed.  ‘And don’t tell Mom we started with dessert.’

‘My lips are sealed.’  He promised.  ‘I don’t think I ever realised you could actually speak Italian.’

‘It’s not something we really do at home.  Mom and Dad taught it to Matt and I when we were small, more for when we saw our grandparents than anything else.’

‘All the same, speaking another language fluently is a good talent to have.’

‘You know what they say, non solo una bella faccia.’

‘Which means what?’  He looked at her curiously.

‘Not just a pretty face.’  She grinned before taking another bite.

‘Definitely not.’  He laughed.

Most of the tables and stalls offered small samplers of the food on offer, from local produce to pasta dishes, risotto to salads, and so many good desserts Pidge was sure she was going to burst by the end of the night.

‘What about this?’  Keith pulled out a black silk scarf from a rail and showed it to her.  ‘It would look good with your outfit.’

‘I don’t know.’  She wrinkled her nose.  ‘I’m not much of a scarf wearer.’

‘I guess that’s true.’  He put it back.  ‘But you have to choose something to take home as a memento.’

‘Then so do you.’  She picked up what was obviously a tourist souvenir, the replica of a gondolier’s hat, and placed it on his head at an angle.  ‘Oh, real dashing, Keith.  You should get it.’

‘Yeah, I don’t think so.’  He glanced at the mirror on the table and turned back in time to find her taking his photo.  ‘What are you doing?’

‘Saving this moment for posterity.  I think your mom will love it.’

‘Let me see it.’  He said as he took off the hat but she moved her arm away.

‘No, you just want to delete it.’

‘I want to see it, that’s all.’  He tried to reach for her arm but she turned her back on him and quickly pressed a few more buttons.

‘Not until I’m done!’

‘Don’t press send!’  He argued playfully, enjoying their banter.  It was something they had rarely had time for the last few years and he treasured it.

‘Too late!’  She laughed with a flourish of her wrist before setting off towards the next stall, Keith pursuing her a moment later.

‘Who did you send it to?’  He pestered as they passed a family, the small boy staring at them both in awe as he recognised them.

‘I didn’t send it to anyone.’  She grinned over her shoulder.

‘You saved it to another device so I can’t delete it.’  He guessed.

‘I always backup, Keith, you know that.’

He reached out and caught her around the waist, pulling her around to face him while ensuring she couldn’t get away.  ‘So something else?’

‘Something else.’  She nodded as she tried to ignore the tingling sensation his fingers left on her skin.  ‘Hashtag Paladins tour.’

‘Hashtag…social media?’  His eyebrows went up as he realised and Pidge couldn’t help but laugh.

‘Shiro might have mentioned that good press is never a bad thing.’  She laughed.  ‘So I’m going to take some photos on this trip and post them.  Official Pidge pics.’

He swallowed hard.  Despite being in such a large crowd, the way her body fit to his was distracting.  He wasn’t one for public displays of affection but damn she was testing him.  ‘Is that what it’s called?’

‘Nah, Shiro shot that idea down.  It’s on the garrison webpage.’

‘Great.’  He murmured but he didn’t seem annoyed, more distracted, like the word was expected so he said it, his mind elsewhere.

‘Uh…’  Pidge suddenly realised just how close they were, that he was looking at her intensely, and she had to swallow despite her mouth being dry.

‘There you are!’

Any thought of what might have happened next was shook from their minds as Jameson came through the crowd, smiling at them, or rather at Pidge.  Keith sighed and his arm dropped from around her, making it less an embrace and more just standing close together, which wasn’t unusual, given the crowds.

‘Thought you could ditch us, mullet?’  Lance teased as he approached with Liliana and Matt, who offered his sister an apologetic look.

‘Why would I ever think I could do a thing like that?’  Keith replied sarcastically.

‘We got the times muddled, is all.’  Pidge said defensively.

‘It doesn’t matter, we’re all together again now.’  Jameson rested his hand on her shoulder and, standing this close, Keith could feel her tense up at the unwelcome contact.  ‘Let’s go see what’s on offer.’

‘I just need a minute with Pidge.’  Keith said firmly.

‘Yeah, I bet you do.’  Lance said with a wink before inviting Liliana to walk with him.

‘We won’t be far.’  Jameson squeezed Pidge’s shoulder briefly before heading after Lance while Matt pulled a face behind his back before shooting a glance back at Pidge that seemed to ask if she was okay, to which she nodded briefly.

‘What is it with that guy?’  Keith asked as he slipped his hand into hers, lacing their fingers.

‘I don’t know.’  Pidge groaned frustratedly.  ‘Matt doesn’t like him either.’

‘And what about you?’

She flashed him a sideways smile.  ‘You can’t be jealous.’

‘Not jealous.’  He shook his head.  ‘But I don’t want him to make you uncomfortable.  If you’re not okay with it then neither am I.’

‘I’m not great with it.’  She admitted.  ‘Maybe he’s just into casual touching, I’m pretty sure it’s not a come on, at least.’

‘What makes you so sure?’  He quirked her an eyebrow as they slowly started walking towards the others.

‘Really?’  She replied, her words dripping with sarcasm.  ‘I don’t think I’m his type.’

‘The beautiful, heroic, genius, galaxy saviour?  No, I’m sure he’s way more particular.’  Keith scoffed.

She seemed to squirm in her own skin for a moment before answering.  ‘Matt said he looks at me.  I mean Jameson, not Matt.  Matt said Jameson looks at me.  I guess I’m not used to the idea of anyone thinking of me like…that.’

‘There’ve been others.’  Keith told her which made her give him the eye contact he thought she was avoiding.  ‘You just never noticed.  You were always so focused on your work, but he’s not the first and won’t be the last.’

Pidge squeezed his fingers in hers.  ‘I guess that could be true.’

‘It is true.’  Keith assured her.  ‘Hell, I’ve been looking at you like that for a while now.’

‘Have not!’  She laughed before nudging him with her hip.

‘I absolutely have.’  He laughed.  ‘Which is why you should trust me, I know what I’m looking for.’

‘If I believed that then it would mean you ignored me looking at you like that for years.’

‘Can’t be as long as I’ve liked you.’  He argued.

‘You think so?’

‘I do.’

‘Try me.’

‘Two years.’

She laughed.  ‘Hah!  Four, I win, sucker!’

‘Four!’  He stuttered out.  ‘Four?’

‘Four.  More if you count the time I decided it was just a crush and would fade with time.’

‘Four years.’  Keith breathed in disbelief.  ‘When did you figure it wasn’t just a crush?’

‘Remember the prison ship orbiting Ohshong Prime?’

‘The time you almost died?  Yeah, I remember it pretty vividly…wait?  Then?’

‘Then.’  She nodded.  ‘I would have died quite happily if the last thing I felt was you holding me.’  She flushed bright red as she realised what she had said.  ‘What I mean is…’

‘It’s okay.’  He squeezed her hand.  ‘I think it’s adorable that you felt like that.’

‘I vowed I would never tell you.’  She admitted as she glanced down, her hand coming up and touching her face as she remembered too late about the glasses.  ‘Hey, you’re meant to stop me.’

‘Sorry, I was too busy admiring your pink cheeks.’

‘Quiznak you, Keith!’  She laughed as she let go of his hand and pushed him lightly, much to his amusement.

‘Having a tiff?’  Matt asked as they reached the group.

‘Not yet, but it might not be long.’  She jabbed at Keith behind her with her elbow.

‘She’s just too cute.’  Keith stepped up behind her and rested his hands on her hips as she stopped beside Matt.

‘Would we like to get some food first?’  Liliana suggested, feeling confident in the suggestion.  ‘There are lots of dishes to try as well as local alcohol, and craft goods to buy.’

‘We had a little already.’  Pidge said, trying to ignore Keith as he gently stroked over her skin with his thumbs, knowing he was teasing her ticklish spot.  ‘It’s good.’

‘As good as Mom’s?’  Matt enquired with a smirk.

‘I’m not admitting that.’  She grinned back.

‘Then Pidge can lead us.’  Jameson reached over and took her hand, pulling her towards him, out of Keith’s loose grip.

‘And Keith!’  She reached back and grabbed the latter’s hand, pulling him behind her.

‘Sure.’  Jameson shrugged offhandedly, Pidge turning and giving Keith an apologetic grimace while Matt rolled his eyes.  At this rate he wouldn’t have to kick Jameson’s ass, Keith would beat him to it.

Notes:

Coming next! Pidge snaps.

Chapter 27: You Can't Out Italian an Italian

Summary:

Jameson gets handsy, putting the entire group on edge.

Notes:

Yup yup! I'm still around!

I can't believe I haven't shared a chapter of this since May! I am sooooooooooo sorry! I have no excuse whatsoever! It's just been one of those feelings where even posting seems too much effort? I'm feeling fairly settled now. Got my new car finally, but it keeps breaking down. Yes, a brand new car. So tomorrow I'm arranging for it to go back to the dealership. For the second time in two weeks. Yuuuuup. Frustrated. But! I did manage to meet my deadline for publishing my fifth novel which is out Friday! Huzzah!!!

Anyway, I will leave you to read up on our fave power-bot couple!

‘This is a real treat.’  Jameson pushed the sugared cookie towards Pidge’s lips so suddenly that she jolted back into Keith, who was standing close behind her.  Jameson was doing his best, repeatedly, to try and feed Pidge by hand.  So far she had managed to avoid it, but he was getting more insistent.  It was getting on Pidge’s nerves and she could only imagine what it was keeping both Matt and Keith from reacting.  ‘It’s a walnut biscuit served during the summer with gelato.’

‘Actually,’ Pidge corrected him as Lance passed them out to everyone, ‘they’re almond and candied fruit, and normally served at Christmas.  On their own.’

‘And the summer.’  Jameson argued, fixing her with what could only be described as a condescending smile.

‘Pidge is right.’  Matt agreed.  ‘Our family is Italian, and that’s exactly what the stallholder just said.  Cavallucci.  It roughly translates as little horse for some reason, and they traditionally use Tuscan honey in the recipe.’

‘They’re good.’  Lance said around his second pastry.  ‘What’s the spice I can taste?’

‘Coriander and anise.’  Pidge finally picked up one of the pastries and turned far enough to offer it to Keith.  ‘Which is why they’re a Christmas thing.  Summer desserts tend to be citrusy, light.’

Keith didn’t even try and hide the smug grin on his face as Pidge corrected Jameson, even as he bit into the pastry.  He wasn’t overly hungry after all the tasters of food they had had so far, but he had to admit the treat tasted all the sweeter for her words.

‘But it’s summer and they’ve made it now.’  Jameson offered, though his voice was less compromise and more irritation.  ‘And it would go well with gelato.’

‘That’s your opinion, and thousands of Italians would disagree.’  Matt said nonchalantly as Pidge and Keith made eye contact, trying not to laugh.

‘Fine.  Onto the next?’

This time he didn’t try and take Pidge’s hand or arm, instead, he pressed his palm flat against the base of her spine, his fingers brushing lower, and she jumped.

‘Hey!  Watch where you put your hands!’  She snapped as she glared at him.

‘A simple mistake.’  He smiled at her, no apology forthcoming in either his words or expression.  ‘Shall we?’

‘Yeah, you lead.’  She insisted as she flexed her fingers, reminding herself not to electrocute their envoy in the middle of a state visit.

Lance fell into step behind Pidge and Keith, leaning forward and speaking quietly.  ‘Wow, did he just cop a feel?’

‘He damn well tried.’  She growled unhappily.

‘The next time he tries…’  Keith began, but Pidge cut him off.

‘The next time he tries anything I’ll electrocute him so hard he’ll wake up in a puddle of his own shit.’  She stated fiercely.  ‘I guess you and Matt were onto something after all.’

‘Well,’ Lance patted her shoulder amiably, ‘now I’m watching your back too.  What a douche.’  And with a shake of his head he followed the others.

Notes:

Coming next: I don't even know. let me go check...The evening comes to a close! Yeah that's about all I could manage to sum it up as!!

Chapter 28: Matt Holt; Escort

Summary:

The end of the night of festivities...

Notes:

IIII LIIIIIIVVEEEEE!!!!!!!

Wow, what a year it's been! I've been busy getting my sixth novel available for publishing, moving house, arguing with my ex, being a mumma and responsible adult, and boy am I tired! We've been in our new place for 2 weeks now and it's wonderful! we've already made it feel like home and next month I should be able to invest in a new laptop! And some other things around the house but otherwise, laptop! yay!

Anyway, boring stuff aside, here are some chapters I've been sitting on forever, so they should be nice and warm! 🤣 I'm hilarious!

Afternoon turned to evening yet the festivities continued.  Games began across the plaza, Lance quickly finding himself in a soccer match with a large group of children, bragging he had been the best in his class.  Matt, after checking that Jameson was busy fawning over various diplomats, felt comfortable enough to leave Pidge with Keith, knowing he would watch over her.  He was determined to start his hunt for the thing he wanted to buy a certain person and, as they were only in Italy for a matter of days, he felt this was the perfect place to begin his search.

Pidge and Keith talked Liliana into joining in with a game similar to bocce with some of the locals.  It was a much calmer pace than the running around and yelling Lance was doing and, with Pidge’s translations of the banter the locals were giving, it was a lot of fun.

It was Pidge who yawned first, not bothering to even try and hide it, running her fingers into her hair and scratching her scalp as she did so.  ‘I think I’m done for the night.’

‘Probably not a bad idea.  We have an early start tomorrow, right?’  Keith looked to Liliana in askance and she nodded.

‘A meeting with the president and descendants from the Italian royal family.’  She replied without having to refer to anything.  ‘That includes a photo call and lunch, then the afternoon and evening to yourselves.’

‘Date?’  Pidge looked at Keith, her eyes innocent yet hopeful.

‘Date.’  He nodded with a smile.

‘Is that a show for the garrison’s benefit?’  Liliana asked.

‘Oh, right, that was the last thing you heard.’  Pidge snapped her fingers.  ‘We actually are together now.’

Liliana smiled warmly.  ‘That’s good to hear.  Congratulations, both of you.’

‘Thanks.’  Keith kissed the back of Pidge’s hand where it was joined with his, and she was grateful the lighting was dim as her cheeks flushed hot.  ‘We’re pretty happy too.

‘You both deserve to be.  I’m sure the garrison only made it a public thing when you returned because they didn’t want to pass up what they thought was the perfect opportunity to market a wartime romance between two galactic heroes.  But, and I hate to say this as they are paying my wages, they really should have confirmed matters with you both first and received your permission on what is, quite frankly, an enormous invasion of privacy.’

‘No argument here.’  Keith toasted her with the glass he was holding.  ‘But it all worked out.’

‘Eventually.’  Pidge smiled up at him.

‘Hey, what are we talking about?’  They all looked around to find Matt approaching, a padded package under his arm.

‘Heading back to the hotel.’  Pidge stretched as she got to her feet.  ‘I’m tired.’

‘You’re actually going to sleep, and not work?’  Matt looked at her doubtfully.

She shrugged.  ‘It depends on if Allura has sent me back any more data.’

‘You should sleep.’  Keith nudged her gently.

‘Yeah, and you shouldn’t go back to the hotel alone.’  Matt indicated towards Jameson, who was making his way back towards them.

‘Shit, okay, I’m out!’  Pidge started forward but Matt caught her arm.

‘Not on your own, I’m heading back anyway.  Keith?’

‘I might stay and make sure Lance doesn’t get into any trouble.’

‘I’ll come back too.’  Liliana stood.  ‘It’s been a rather hectic couple of days and it’s only going to get more so.’

‘Then allow me to escort you ladies back to our hotel.’  Matt held his arm out gallantly for them to join him and Pidge snorted a laugh.

‘Don’t include me in that ladies description.’

‘You raise a good point.’

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head and turned towards Keith.  ‘I’ll see you in the morning?’

‘You know it.’  He smiled softly before lowering his head to kiss her, only to be interrupted by Matt loudly clearing his throat.  ‘You know what, I don’t care.’  Keith smirked before planting a tender kiss on Pidge’s lips.  ‘Sleep well, okay?’

‘You too.’  She murmured before starting back towards the hotel.  ‘Oh, and don’t let Lance lead you astray!’

‘Please, Lance couldn’t lead a thirsty horse to water.’  Keith scoffed, making Pidge laugh.

‘Just cows.’  She called back, and she smiled to herself when she heard him laugh out loud.

‘You two are…’  Matt started, but Pidge glared at him, stopping him from finishing.  ‘Don’t give me the stink eye, you’re not Mom.’

‘Just watch which words come out of your mouth.’  Pidge warned him.

‘You’re cute together, that okay?’

‘I don’t like the word cute, as a rule,’ she mused, ‘but in this case I’ll allow it.’

Matt slung his arm around her and pulled her close.  ‘So long as you’re happy, that’s all I ask for.’

‘I am.’  Pidge admitted, pondering on how one little change could make such a big difference.

Notes:

Coming next: Just a quick red/blue chit chat!

Chapter 29: A (tiny) Bonding Moment

Summary:

Following on the end of the party, Lance and Keith talk.

Notes:

Hey hey all!

Wow, it isn't actually that long since I last posted! And that's because I've made a decision. I'm going to post all the writing I have up to date. Basically because while I love having a buffer, I have all this stuff that I can share! I just want to get it out there for you all to enjoy, and that goes for all the open stories I have. Just sit back, and enjoy, while I spend a while updating all I can!

As for RL, we are all moved in and comfortable in our new place, not a huge amount of boxes left to unpack but they have to wait until I get the money from the sale of the house and can get a wardrobe for the girls and a shed! I have no outdoor storage so we have things like the lawnmower and bike and tools that need a home, then we can finalise everything in its place!

Anyway, Kidge ahoy!

Lance came back to where he had last seen the group to find only Keith seated, a mostly empty glass of beer in his hand.

‘Hey, where’d the girls go?’  He asked as he spun around the chair and sat on it backwards, folding his arms and resting his chin on them.

‘Matt escorted them back to the hotel.  They were tired.’

‘And you’re not?’  Lance eyed him suspiciously.

‘No, I am.  I just figured you’re stupid enough to get yourself lost trying to find your way back.’

‘Shut up, mullet.’  He complained.  ‘I only did that on two planets, and in my defence they didn’t have any landmarks!’

‘Whatever, are you ready to head back?’  Keith asked before draining his glass.

‘Yeah, we have an early start tomorrow, right?’

They both got to their feet.  ‘We do.  Liliana said it’s meeting the president and royals with a photo shoot and lunch, but then the rest of the day is to ourselves.’

‘To ourselves?’  Lance curled his lip slightly.  ‘To do what?’

‘I don’t know what you’re doing but I’m taking Pidge on a date.’  Keith said as he got to his feet and tucked his chair neatly under the table.

‘Ohhh a date!’  Lance got up and slung his arm around Keith’s shoulder and drew him close.  ‘This is my time to shine!’

‘Why is it your time to shine?’  Keith gave him a confused look.  ‘I’m dating her, not you.’

‘Yeah, but who knows more about dates than me?’

‘Maybe someone who’s actually been on one?’  Keith lifted his arm off his shoulder and started walking back towards the hotel.

‘Ouch, that hurt!’  Lance clenched his chest dramatically as he fell into step beside him.  ‘But seriously, let me tell you how to woo her…’

Keith laughed.  ‘Seriously let you?  No, I think I’ll take my chances, thanks.’

‘Just some hints and tips!’

‘If I start acting like you do around women, Pidge will not only dump me, she’ll slap the shit out of me for good measure!’

‘Fine, but don’t say I didn’t offer.’  Lance shrugged, as though Keith was giving up a golden opportunity.

‘I won’t.’

‘So, uh…’  Lance said hesitantly.  ‘Did Jameson go back with the others?’

‘You think I’d be babysitting you if he had?’

‘No.’  He laughed.  ‘I think you’d be standing over Pidge like some kind of big scary bodyguard.’

‘She doesn’t need me to protect her.’

‘That doesn’t mean you like how he’s been trying to hang off her like a cheap suit.’

‘I don’t think any of us like that.’  Keith gave him a knowing look.

‘I know I don’t.’

They walked in silence until the hotel came into sight, when Lance spoke up again.  ‘So, really, where are you taking her on your date?’

‘Honestly?’  Keith pulled a face.  ‘I have no idea.’

Notes:

Coming next: Matt is a bad bed buddy.

Chapter 30: Girls Night

Summary:

Pidge and Liliana bond.

Pidge was just dozing off when an arm flopped across her face, making her heart jump and her body do the same with a small yelp.  Matt hadn’t been a settled sleeper since his time in Galra custody.  Though he still slept deep, his limbs sometimes thrashed and he groaned aloud.  Pidge hated that whatever they had done to him still affected him so greatly but, more than that at this moment, she hated the fact he had scared her half to death when she had finally reached the edge of sleep.

Sighing, she rolled over, getting herself comfortable with her ankles crossed and knees bent.  She had hoped that facing away from Matt as far over to the edge of the bed as she could get, would help her be out of reach.  She was wrong.  This time his knee came up fast and hit her in the lower back, knocking her solidly off the bed with a squawk of surprise, her feet staying on the bed in a tangle of themselves and blankets.

‘Goddammit, Matt.’  She grumbled as she pulled her legs down beneath her and got to her feet.  This had been going on for over an hour.  She didn’t want to wake him, she knew he was self conscious about the fact he still had nightmares, and it wasn’t really his fault, but the calm, deep sleeping, slightly cuddly brother she had shared many a motel bed with in her childhood, was gone.

Sighing, she grabbed her pillow and held it to her chest tightly.  She didn’t want to sleep on the floor, but there was no way in heck she was getting back in the bed with Matt again.  It wasn’t worth the bruises, like the one on her back she could already feel developing as she rubbed it.  There were armchairs, but no couch, so that idea was out.  Maybe there was a third option.  Biting her lip for a moment she made her decision, grabbed her discarded clothes, and headed to the door.

 

Liliana had just finished sending her report for the day to the garrison when there was a soft knock on the door.  That made her frown.  The hotel had high security, due to the presence of the paladins, and she knew she hadn’t ordered anything, nor was she expecting anyone.  Going up on her toes, she checked through the peephole and saw Pidge standing there in her pyjamas, barefoot and clutching a pillow.  Quickly throwing off the lock and opening the door she regarded the green paladin with surprised concern.

‘Pidge, is everything alright?’

‘Pretty much.’  She nodded.  ‘But Matt isn’t a good bed buddy.  He’s a kicker.  And a puncher.’  She rubbed her back where it still ached.  ‘I was wondering if you had a couch or something I could crash on?’

‘Oh, of course!’  Liliana stepped back, allowing Pidge to step inside.  ‘Come on in.’

‘Thanks.  I didn’t really know who else to ask and, as you’re the only other girl, I figured you were my best bet.’

‘Not Keith?’

‘Oh, uh…’  Pidge flushed.  ‘I could have.  I mean we’ve bed shared, but it still feels really soon and new, you know?  I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea, not that it’s that wrong an idea, but it could be seen as, I’m rambling, aren’t I?’  Pidge stopped abruptly as she realised what she was doing.

‘You know what, it’s fine.’  Liliana laughed.  ‘Make yourself at home.’

Pidge looked around the brightly lit room, neat and nowhere near the chaos Pidge had managed to reap in less than a day.  Toiletries were laid out neatly on a dresser, there were no clothes strewn about, and a laptop sat neatly on the table by the window.  The decor was less fancy than Pidge’s room but it did at least have a small couch, certainly large enough for Pidge to sleep on.

‘So it’s good if I take the couch?’

‘You take the bed, I really don’t mind.’  Liliana took a pillow off her bed and held a hand out for her.

‘Nah, and don’t say it’s because I’m a paladin or whatever, because I’ve slept on boxes in the back of Green before now and been perfectly alright.’

‘On boxes?’  Liliana looked at her in confusion.

‘Yeah, just a couple of times.  We had bunks put in eventually because sometimes we needed to rest in between stops.  Really, the couch is good.’

‘If you’re sure?’

‘Certain.’  Pidge nodded firmly.

‘Okay, I’m going to go do what I need to in the bathroom and I’ll be ready for lights out, if that’s alright with you?’

‘Perfect.  I tried to go to bed an hour ago, but Kicky McGee kept waking me up.’  She laughed.

Liliana chuckled as Pidge went about moving some cushions off the couch, propping herself up on her pillow with her knees bent.  She fiddled with her wrist computer until Liliana came back out, when she turned it off.

‘Let me get you a blanket off the bed.’  Liliana offered as she did so.  ‘Can’t have you catching a cold.’

‘Yeah, the one thing humanity still didn’t find a cure for.’

‘Do they have colds in space?’  Liliana asked as she handed Pidge the blanket before getting onto her bed.

‘Variations, kind of.  The Arusians had a contagious bug they called wuglumps, which is basically lumps on the back of your tongue that made you lose your voice.  To them it’s like a common cold is here, they don’t think twice about it, but Lance caught it and was a huge baby the whole time.’

‘Was he?’  Liliana asked, trying not to sound too keen.

‘Oh yeah.’  Pidge smiled to herself.  ‘He took himself off to bed for three days, kept sending messages to us whenever he wanted something; fluff my pillows, bring me a water pouch, I need soup, my throat hurts, scratch my toe.  Total baby.’

‘Did you ever catch anything?’

‘Two bouts of Crydor pox.  Kind of like chicken pox but blue spots cover your entire body.  I have never itched so much my entire life.  In the end Shiro made me soak in a bath of some kind of milk-like substance to stop me scratching.’

‘Did it work?’

‘Only when he drugged me.’  She chuckled at the memory.  ‘Woke up in a harness dangling in the stuff with the most wrinkled hands and feet you’ve ever seen, but I didn’t itch any more.’

‘You really have seen more than most of us could ever imagine.’

‘Yup.  From space illnesses to genocidal maniacs, we pretty much saw it all.’  Pidge clasped her fingers together and stretched her arms above her head.  ‘There was good stuff too though.’

‘Am I okay to get the lights?’  Liliana checked before doing so.

‘Oh, yeah, go ahead.’  Pidge yawned.  ‘And thanks again.’

‘It’s really no trouble.’

They lay in silence for several minutes before Pidge spoke up.  ‘Hey, did you know Jameson before this assignment?’

‘Never met him before.’  Liliana shook her head to herself.  ‘He’s definitely a lot more full of himself than anyone I’ve ever worked with.  What about you?’

‘We were in the garrison together, I guess before he went into diplomatic stuff.  Our paths didn’t really cross that much.’

‘You trained with Captain Garrett, didn’t you?’  Liliana asked casually.  ‘And Captain McClain?’

‘Yeah, I did.’

‘What was that like?’

Pidge laughed.  ‘How long do you have?  I could tell you so many stories.’

‘I’m not going anywhere.’

Pidge grinned to herself.  ‘Then buckle up, because this is going to be one crazy ride.’

Notes:

Coming next: Breakfast!

Chapter 31: Breakfast and Blood Results

Summary:

Breakfast on tour, Pidge gets some news.

‘Where were you last night?’  Matt asked, taking a seat at the breakfast table with Pidge and Liliana.

‘You’re a rotten bed buddy, so I slept on Liliana’s couch.’  Pidge replied as she poured herself a coffee.  ‘And when I came back to get dressed you were in the shower.’

‘You still could have let me know.’

Pidge stuck her tongue out at him.  ‘Don’t baby me.  We had a girls night, right?’

‘Perhaps not a full girls night,’ Liliana smiled, ‘but it was enjoyable.’

‘I’m glad you two had fun but I gotta say, I’m a little disappointed.’  Matt reached for the coffee as Pidge put it down, drawing it towards her slowly so it got further away as he tried.  ‘Quit it.’

‘Pssshh.’  She hissed at him before turning the pot so he could reach the handle.  ‘Why are you disappointed?’

‘I figured you’d snuck off to Keith’s room and were in post-sex coma.’  Matt grinned wider as Pidge’s cheeks flushed.

‘We’re not there yet.’  She glared at him as she noticed Keith and Lance coming towards the table.

‘I’m just teasing.’  Matt stirred his coffee.  ‘I’m sorry I stopped you from sleeping in our room.’

‘No biggie.’  She shrugged.  ‘I don’t mind giving you space.’

‘Morning.’  Keith greeted them all, but his eyes were only for Pidge, a soft smile on his lips as he bent and kissed her cheek.  ‘Sleep okay?’

‘Yeah, you?’

‘Yeah.’

‘God, the conversation at this table is riveting!’  Lance remarked exaggeratedly as he sat beside Liliana.  ‘Let’s liven things up, huh?’

‘What do you suggest?’  Keith asked as his fingers slid under Pidge’s hand to lace with her own, earning him a smile.

‘You already know the schedule.’  Liliana reminded them.  ‘So unless any of you need reminding then that’s off the table, so to speak.’

‘I want to know what Matt’s going to do while we’re schmoozing up to the Italian head honchos.’  Pidge smirked as she took a bite out of the roll she had buttered before everyone arrived.

‘Shopping.’  Matt shrugged nonchalantly, glancing over the basic menu on offer.  ‘I still have to find that thing for that certain someone.’

‘What about what you got last night?’  Pidge asked.

Matt shook his head.  ‘I got something for Mom and Dad.’

‘So, a thing for a certain someone.’  Lance said thoughtfully.  ‘So, we already figured Matt likes a girl, and he’s trying to woo her with some Italian goodies.  Let me guess, you’re getting her a nice girthy sausage?’

‘Lance!’  Keith spat at him as Matt’s face flushed even pinker than Pidge’s had a moment before, while the girl herself laughed at the fact Matt was so embarrassed.  ‘I’m so sorry for his crude behaviour, Miss Cooper.’

Liliana’s own cheeks were slightly dusted with a faint blush but she shook her head.  ‘It’s quite alright, but please, everyone can call me Liliana.  I’m sure we can come up with a more suitable topic of conversation for the breakfast table though.’

Pidge raised her hand to look at her wrist display as she received a notification, her brain toning out the rest of the conversation.  Keith noticed her look of concentration and released her hand to allow her to read it easier before taking one of the rolls from the basket in the centre of the table and ripping a piece off.

‘Yesterday was pretty full on.  I’m glad today starts a little later.  I think we all needed a little downtime, even if it’s just these few hours before the next engagement.’

‘Oh, who’s getting engaged?’

Everyone looked up at the sound of Jameson’s voice except for Pidge who was completely engrossed in her computer.

‘I meant the public engagements for this tour.’  Keith pointed out bluntly.

‘That’s a shame, nothing new to celebrate.’  Jameson grinned at his own joke as he sat before his eyes fell on Pidge, still ignoring everything else around her.  ‘Good morning, Pidge.’

‘She’s working.’  Matt replied on her behalf.  ‘You’ll get no sense until she’s finished.’

‘I’m sure I could…’  He began to sit forward from his seat on Keith’s other side, but the black paladin held a finger up to stop him.

‘Don’t even think about it.  This is important so leave her be.’

‘Huh.’  Jameson gave Keith a look as though sizing him up before turning his attention to the table.  ‘Has anyone ordered yet?’

‘Not yet.’  Lance frowned at Jameson, pondering just what his deal was.  ‘We can all order together this way.’

‘I just have to…’  Pidge muttered, pushing her chair out and getting up from the table before heading to the terrace on the front of the building.

‘She okay?’  Lance tilted his head towards her before looking between Matt and Keith enquiringly.

‘She’s been running some data from Allura on the Altean back at the garrison.’  Keith filled him in.  ‘I can only assume it’s something like that.’

‘Did she eat yet?’  Matt looked to Liliana.

‘Just a small piece of roll.’  Liliana glanced at Pidge’s side plate.

‘I’ll bring her something if she doesn’t come back by the time we’re done eating.’  Matt smiled knowingly.

Pidge’s brows knotted as she scanned the data, not believing what she was seeing.

‘This can’t be right.’  She muttered.  The numbers didn’t make sense, or rather they did, just not in a way they should.  They were…too high in some places, too low in others, completely absent elsewhere, and what the heck was this element?  ‘That shouldn’t read that.  That’s only present in…’  Her eyes went wide as she realised what she might have been seeing.  ‘No, no, no, no, no!’  She took off running back into the dining room and past the table, not even sparing a glance at her friends.

‘Pidge?’  Keith called after her but got no response.  He looked at Matt, hoping to get his input on what he thought was right, and he nodded.

‘If you’re going anyway, take her some food too.’  Matt threw some packets of butter and jam, and a knife into the basket of rolls and held it out to Keith.

‘Thanks.’  Keith grabbed it and, while he didn’t run, he did take the stairs two at a time.  He found the door to Pidge and Matt’s room ajar and he pushed it to find Pidge sitting on the floor crosslegged with her laptop, muttering under her breath.  ‘Hey.’  He said quietly, not wanting to surprise her, but he got only the briefest of responses.

‘Uh huh.’  Her eyes shot across the screen as she set a comparison running.

Keith was used to her becoming engrossed and simply sat beside her.  Taking one of the rolls, he tore it in half, spread it with butter and jam, then ripped a bite sized piece off and held it towards Pidge’s lips.  She took the food without even realising, eating it with measured chews that seemed overly drawn out.

This continued until she had eaten half of the roll when Keith decided to speak.  ‘What happened?’

‘Data.’  She replied.  ‘Doesn’t make sense.’

‘If you can’t make sense of it, maybe it’s corrupted.  Or contaminated.’

She gave two large blinks before turning to him, wearing the most adorable confused expression he had ever seen.  ‘Contaminated?’

He shrugged.  ‘If it’s the blood work you’re talking about for the Altean then contaminated is more accurate, right?’

‘Maybe.’  She chewed her lip for a moment as her eyes went out of focus while she thought.  ‘But maybe not in the way you mean.’  She turned back to her laptop and rapidly sent a message to the garrison.  ‘I think I might be late to meet the prime minister and stuff.’

‘Do what you have to, I’ll make your excuses.’  He rubbed her back gently.  If she noticed, she didn’t react.  ‘Maybe sit somewhere more comfortable if you’re going to be doing this for a while?’

‘Right.’  She replied, but showed no sign of moving.

‘Do I have to carry you?’

‘No, I can walk…where are we going?’  Her voice was almost disjointed

‘Okay, hold your laptop.’

She did as he said automatically without tearing her eyes from the screen, not registering the fact that Keith had got to one knee beside her until he scooped her up in his arms, causing her to give a squeal of alarm.  ‘What are you doing?’

‘Sit.’  He placed her on one of the two chairs at the small tea table in the window, where she placed her laptop.  ‘I’m going to leave this here and go get you some coffee and juice.  Okay?’  He put the rolls on the table beside her, but not before waving it under her nose to get her attention.

‘Okay.’  She replied as she took up typing where she had left off.

‘You’re not actually listening.’  Keith said rhetorically, knowing she wouldn’t take that in either.

‘If you say so.’

He shook his head, a small smile appearing on his lips as an idea struck him.  He bent forward as he cupped her cheek with his palm and turned her face towards him, her eyes still following the screen, fingers unceasing…for a few more moments at least.  Keith’s lips pressing against hers had them still, her eyes finding his face a second later before closing and succumbing to his kiss.

Pidge hadn’t realised her brain actually had an off switch.  Even in her sleep she dreamt up devices and schematics, but apparently Keith had found it.  Or Keith was it.  Either way, she’d take it.  She had no idea that this sort of sensation was even possible.  Keith’s lips moved in what was more a caress than what she thought of as a kiss, her own learning their way as his hand slipped around to the back of her head.  She didn’t remember getting to her feet, she would later assume it was her body’s way of trying to get closer to him, her hands pressing firmly against his chest.  The heat from his body seemed to burn her skin even through his clothes, but not in a bad way.  From personal experience, she knew how heat could flood a body with deliberate ministrations, she was a scientist after all and not afraid of experimentation.  But this, this was something else.  This was out of her control and felt new and exciting.

Keith’s hand came to rest on Pidge’s hip as his tongue tentatively traced her lips.  He wasn’t sure if they parted consciously or if she gasped, but he wouldn’t rush her, this was enough…until he felt her tongue brush against his.  Suddenly he was pulling her closer, her arms wrapping around his neck as the kiss grew more heated.  No longer a measure for distraction, they both lost themselves in one another.

Pidge’s fingers tangled in Keith’s hair as deep inside her throbbed, reminding her on a subconscious level that this was something her entire body wanted, that he was was what she wanted.  His fingers splayed across her lower back, it was all she could do not to attempt to climb him.  Her breathing was heavy, her heart pounding hard, but this rush felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Keith hadn’t realised there was this much tension built up between them.  He knew he desired her, he had hoped eventually there would be a closeness between them that only they shared, but this made him think that perhaps they were on the same page.

There was no doubt in Pidge’s mind that this heavy mix of lust and love could go further, but that perhaps it shouldn’t, not yet at least.  The problem was she didn’t want to stop, and even if she did she wasn’t sure how.  That decision was then taken away from her as her laptop and wrist computer began to chime an incoming video call.  They suddenly broke away from one another, their breath falling from their lips in rapid pants, their cheeks pink and lips swollen.  They stared at one another for a few breaths, Keith’s eyes dark with desire, Pidge’s slightly wide as her entire being tried to relearn how to operate.

‘Katie, the phone.’  Keith’s voice was low and husky, which for some reason sent a jolt of need coursing through her.  They were still close enough to derail her train of thought and it took another moment before her head jolted around.

‘Right!’  She all but yelled before lowering her voice to a normal level.  ‘It’s Allura.’

Keith reluctantly let her go as she sat back down and answered the call.

‘Is everything alright?’  Allura asked immediately.  ‘You sent me half a message, I was worried something had happened.’

Pidge felt a pang of guilt and had to force herself to look back at Allura’s worried face.  ‘Sorry, I got…distracted.’  Pidge shot Keith a side eyed look before returning to the screen.  ‘Let me send you the highlighted data and see what you think.’

‘Hey, Allura.’  Keith came into view of the screen behind Pidge and Allura gained an intrigued look.  ‘Sorry to interrupt, Pidge, I’m going to get you a drink, make sure you eat something, that’s an order.’

‘Right.’  Pidge rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help grinning at him all the same.

‘I can see why you were distracted.’  Allura said as soon as the door closed.

‘I was not…’  Pidge wrinkled her nose.  ‘Back to these results.’

‘Indeed.’  Allura smiled broadly.  ‘Though I’m quite happy if you want to talk about anything more personal…’

‘Nope, I’m good.’  Pidge pushed her hair behind her ears as heat flooded her cheeks.  She was still getting used to this herself, she certainly wasn’t ready to share.

Notes:

Next up! Jameson gets told off!

Chapter 32: Jameson's Job

Summary:

Jameson has a bitchfit.

‘They can’t wait any longer.’  Liliana gave the two paladins a sympathetic look.

Lance looked to Keith, the latter’s arms folded over his dress uniform.  ‘We go ahead with the ceremony without Pidge.’  Keith’s answer was firm.  ‘She said she might not make it, and this garrison matter is more important.’

‘More important than international relations?’  Jameson raised an unimpressed eyebrow.  ‘This tour is…’

‘Captain Holt is the only expert in this field.’  Keith snapped, deliberately using Pidge’s rank.  ‘No one else can do this job other than her.  If the Italian government have a problem with it they can take it up with the garrison, but they will be reminded that without her input this war might not have ended, let alone with as many lives saved as it did!’

‘The Italian government understand.’  Liliana quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation. ‘She was there for the ceremony yesterday which was the most public event here.  It’s fine.’

‘I wasn’t warned there would be any other business that would prevent my charge from performing in these events.’  Jameson scowled.  ‘It is my job to…’

‘It’s your job to shut the hell up!’  Lance cut him off.  ‘Can you even hear yourself?  You think this tour is more important than Pidge’s actual job?  She’s a galactic hero, what are you?  Some jumped up garrison nobody who needs to get his damn priorities straight!’

Jameson looked as though he was about to argue further, his cheeks flushed and eyes blazing, but then thought better of it and spun on his heel, leaving them behind him, much to Keith’s relief.  He huffed out a breath as the atmosphere seemed to lift.

‘Nice going, Lance.’  Keith patted him on the shoulder.

‘I just couldn’t stand and listen to him bitching any more.’  Lance straightened his jacket.  ‘That and I thought you were going to punch his lights out.’

Keith gave a small laugh.  ‘I mean, you’re not far wrong.’

Liliana looked between the two of them before clearing her throat.  ‘I assume this means you’re ready?’  She smiled hopefully.

‘Absolutely.’  Keith replied.

‘I’ll let the president’s aide know.’  She turned and walked away only to stop again when she felt a hand on her arm.  Turning she found Lance with an apologetic look on his face.  ‘Is everything alright?’

‘Yeah, I just wanted to say I’m sorry you had to see that.’

‘I don’t blame the two of you for Jameson’s behaviour.’  She assured him warmly.

‘I meant me, blowing up.’  Lance rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.  ‘I’m not sorry I did it, but it was kinda rude.’

‘Actually I think it was rather gallant, the way you set him straight.’  Lance’s brain malfunctioned for a moment as she complimented him, leaving him for once speechless.  ‘I’ll come back for you when we’re ready.’  She patted his hand and walked away again, leaving Lance to feel his blush finally reach his cheeks.

‘She thinks I’m gallant.’  He grinned to himself, feeling pleased with himself that his outburst had made such a positive impression.

Notes:

Next up...Pidge catches up with Allura.

Chapter 33: Business in the front, Date in the back

Summary:

Allura wants to know about Pidge's findings...and about her date!

‘This is a completely unknown element, different to anything I’ve ever come across before.’  Pidge pointed it out to Allura on the screen, the latter’s brow knitted with concern.  ‘It’s close to Altean DNA, it almost resembles pure quintessence, but there’s something else there I can’t figure out.’

‘I would never have thought to look at it at a genetic level.’  Allura shook her head.  ‘But I suppose that’s why we have you.’

‘I knew you didn’t keep me around for my looks.’  Pidge smirked as she set another program running.  ‘I’m going to try and dig further into it, see if there’s anything I can pick out and break down, but I can’t promise fast results.’

‘Don’t worry, you take as long as you need.  The Altean’s vitals are steady, we just need to know what’s keeping her unconscious so we can, hopefully, wake her.’

‘Okay, good to know.’  Pidge closed the display on her left, no longer needing it.  ‘If I need to cancel the plans we have for this afternoon then no biggie, it will depend on how soon I get something back.’

‘I thought your schedule was free this afternoon.’  Allura’s puzzlement making Pidge look away from her and to the numbers, something she understood.

‘It is, mostly.  Keith and I were going to go on our first date.’  She mumbled.

‘Well, I order you not to cancel that!’  Allura said firmly.  ‘You’ve waited long enough as it is and I won’t have you cancelling on the off chance you get any data!’

‘But if the data is going to help…’

‘It will wait until your date is over.’  Allura said with a tone of finality that made Pidge not want to argue.  ‘Date over data.’

‘Okay, fine.  I won’t cancel.  I don’t even want to cancel, but I know we need this data to help the Altean!’

‘In this case romance is the priority.  Specifically yours and Keith’s.’

‘Why do I feel like you’re all as invested in this as much as we are?’

‘Because we’ve all had to watch the pair of you pine over one another for the last few years.  Now, what are you wearing?’

‘What am I what?’

‘Wearing, for your date.  Do not say garrison uniform or shorts and boots.’

‘Actually Mom packed me some stuff I wouldn’t normally choose myself and there’s a nice green playsuit I was going to try.’

‘And what is a playsuit, exactly?’

‘Let me show you.’  Pidge brought the item back from the closet to show Allura.  ‘See, it’s an all in one, but they're shorts.’

‘I actually like that.  It will look lovely on you!  The khaki green with the different greens foliage motif is very smart.  And what about on your feet?’

‘I have flat ballet pumps.  I wore them yesterday to the festival and they’re plenty comfy enough.’

‘Well, I suppose we couldn’t expect you to pack heels for the amount of travelling you’re doing.’  Allura sighed.  ‘What about makeup?’

‘What about it?’

‘You’re going to wear some, I assume?’

‘A bit.’  Pidge shrugged.  ‘I’ve got some neutral shade eyeshadows, matching lipstick, and some powder and mascara.’

‘Are you sure that’s enough?’

‘Plenty.’  Pidge replied as she draped the playsuit over the other chair.  ‘Is there anything else for now?  Or shall I get back to work?’

‘You may, but only until Keith returns to take you out.’

‘Okay, okay, you got it.’

There was a knock on the door that had Pidge glance over.

‘I’m going to get that, I’ll catch up with you later to go over any new data.’

‘Sounds wonderful.  Thanks again, Pidge.  And have fun this afternoon!’

‘I will!’  She waved Allura off before shutting off the screen and heading to the door.  She hadn’t ordered room service, she was still nibbling on the rolls Keith brought her and she still had plenty of coffee.  ‘Speak to you later, and enjoy yourself!’

‘I will try.’  She promised before they both signed off.

The knock came again as Pidge made her way towards it.  ‘I’m coming, I’m coming!’  Pulling it open she started at who was standing there, face serious and arms folded.  ‘I thought you were at the ceremony, Jameson?’

Notes:

and next we have...Keith freaking out as he has a realisation!

Chapter 34: Your Own Worst Enemy

Summary:

Keith panics, Lance charms.

Keith unbuttoned his garrison uniform the moment they left the building.  The air-conditioning at the venue had broken down, apparently having been on the fritz ever since the Galra attacks, and the weather had turned stiflingly warm.  Fanning himself with his hand he was grateful to find the slightest of breezes graced the air.  It wasn’t a cold breeze in itself, but it did at least bring some movement to the air, compared to the stagnant atmosphere of the greeting room.

‘Man, it was stuffy in there, and I don’t just mean the politicians.’  Lance followed suit, but removed his jacket entirely, leaving his white vest a stark contrast against his tan skin.  Not that Liliana noticed.  Not at all.

‘Uh, yes, it was rather close.’  Liliana felt her cheeks heat up for a whole different reason, and that may have been the broad expanse of Lance’s back suddenly before her.  ‘Is there anywhere you want to go before we return to the hotel?’

‘I think we should get back.’  Keith replied, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the air against his face.  ‘I have plans this afternoon with Pidge, if she’s done with her data that is.’

‘You are never going to get on a date with her if that’s the condition.’  Lance scoffed.  ‘Just take candles and wine and pass it to her while she works.’

‘We’re doing this properly.’  Keith glared at Lance who he now realised had a teasing grin on his face.

‘Glad to hear it.  Shall we?’  Lance held his hand out to Liliana, inviting her to walk beside him.  It wasn’t too far from the hotel and they were all happy to walk rather than using the limos that were being offered constantly.

‘Let’s.’  Liliana nodded, hoping her flaming cheeks would be put down to the humid room and now the heat on the streets.

‘You know, it’s kinda weird Jameson didn’t come back.’  Lance mused as they walked.  ‘As an envoy he should have been there for you, Keith.’

‘I guess his temper got the better of him, and I can’t say I missed him.’

‘Yeah, but as a garrison trained operative he should know better than to let his emotions get the better of him.  Oh well, I guess all we can do is hope he went off and blew off some steam somewhere.’

Keith’s brow furrowed as he considered Lance’s words.  He was right, Jameson should have known better, he was trained to know better.  The only reason he wouldn’t have returned was if he had some kind of underlying personal agenda.  ‘Oh quiznak.’  Keith muttered, before bursting into a sprint, heading towards the hotel.

‘What do you suppose that means?’  Liliana asked as they paused and watched Keith disappear around a corner.

‘With him, it could be anything.’  Lance shrugged.  ‘Anyway, do you have any plans this afternoon?’

‘Me?’  Liliana looked up at him in surprise as they began walking again.  ‘I was going to write up my report for the meeting this morning.’

‘So, nothing that you couldn’t do later?’  He asked hopefully.

‘I suppose not.’  She shook her head.

‘Then, you wanna have dinner with me?  I mean, if not it’s all good.  I just figured you’re alone, and I’m alone, and we’re in this romantic foreign country that has amazing food, it’d be a shame to let it go to waste, and…’

‘I’d like that.’  Liliana interrupted Lance’s tirade of words as he took a breath, which made him stop despite having had more word vomit planned.

‘You would?  Of course you would!  Everyone likes dinner!’  Lance laughed awkwardly.  ‘How does meet out front of the hotel in an hour sound?’

‘It sounds very good.’  Liliana smiled sweetly, lowering her gaze out of sheer shyness.

‘Awesome.’  Lance grinned.  He wasn’t sure if this was what would class as a date, wasn’t even sure if she was interested in him that way, but he was going to do his best to win this girl over while he had the chance.

Notes:

Next up: Keith jumps...to conclusions and up the stairs!

Chapter 35: Heroes and Fair Maidens

Summary:

Jameson...wasn't a dick! Just this once, mind you.

Keith raced through the hotel lobby, hoping his instinct was wrong.

Jameson wasn’t that stupid, was he?

He bypassed the elevator, taking the stairs three at a time.

Deep in his mind he knew that Pidge could take care of herself, that she was already on the defensive when it came to their envoy, but it only took one slip of awareness to lead to disaster.

He stumbled into the wall beside the door to their floor, his lungs burning from running in such heat, dragging it away from the frame with such power it hit the wall.

Jameson was angry and, like all strong emotions, it could make you do irrational things.

The door to Pidge’s room hadn’t seemed this far away earlier, as though running towards it brought it no closer.

If Keith’s fears were true, the least Jameson could expect was a dishonourable discharge with criminal charges.

Keith angled himself as he ran down the corridor, throwing his shoulder at Pidge’s door hard enough to wrench the frame, and it swung open hard.  Keith drew to a sudden stop as he took in the scene before him.

Pidge wiped her thumb across the corner of her lips, removing the cookie crumbs from them.  ‘Wow, I know you’re keen for later but no need to break down the door.’  She chuckled, and was joined a moment later by Jameson sitting opposite her, a coffee cup in his hand.

‘You know, the garrison is going to have to foot the bill for the damage to that door.’  Jameson waved his cup towards it, which was when Keith turned around and surveyed the splintered wood.

‘Quiznak.’  He muttered before turning back around, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Jameson put down his cup and got to his feet, stepping over to where Keith stood.  ‘I owe you an apology, Captain Kogane.’  He offered him his hand.  ‘For my behaviour at the meet and greet.  You were right and I should have trusted your judgement, for that I’m sorry.’

Keith glanced at Pidge who did a drastic head bob towards Jameson, and Keith snapped out of it, taking the other man’s hand.  ‘Don’t worry about it.  We’re all under pressure and these are extenuating circumstances.’

‘Very true.’  Jameson nodded, a friendly smile on his face.  ‘Well, I’ll get out of your hair.  Thanks for joining me.’  He flashed Pidge a wink before turning back to Keith.  ‘Captains.’

‘Jameson.’  Keith replied as he walked by him.

‘Oh, I’ll speak to someone about either fixing your door or getting you another room to use.’  Jameson waved at the frame and Pidge offered him a small smile.

‘Thanks.’

‘No problem.’

And he was gone, leaving the two of them alone.  Pidge draped her arm over the back of the chair and leant back, toeing off her shoes as she spoke.  ‘So, what was that all about?’

‘He threw a hissy fit about you not being there.’

‘Oh, I know that.’  She waved her hand dismissively before picking up another cookie.  ‘I meant the door.  Rushing in here like some kind of hero saving me from the big bad wolf.’  She took an exaggerated bite.

‘That’s not what…’

She cut him off with a smirk.  ‘Not gonna lie, it was kinda hot.’

Keith paused for a moment to make sure he had heard her right.  ‘It was…what?’

‘Hot.  I mean dramatic, sure, but definitely hot.  Kicking a door down because you were worried about me.  My hero.’  She mock swooned.

‘Now you’re just making fun.’  He affected a scowl but it didn’t faze Pidge in the slightest.

‘Awwww, but you’re so cute, coming to my rescue.’  She got to her feet and came and stood toe to toe with him, his arms folded over his chest as he made a concerted effort not to look at her.

‘You don’t need rescuing.  Even if he did something you’d stop him.  You’re perfectly capable.’

‘Come on, I appreciate it, I’m grateful!  Lemme show you how much!’  She tugged on his arms playfully but he stood unmoving, knowing that they were both now just teasing one another.  It had happened before they got together and he was glad it still went on now.  It was one of his favourite things.  ‘Okay, fine.’  She shoved her head under his arms and pushed.

‘Hey!’  Keith sputtered as she made some literal headway, forcing herself between his arms and chest until he was hugging her.

‘It’s not that bad.  Take your reward like a man!’  She tugged on his jacket where her arms were pinned by her sides.

‘You didn’t mention there was a reward.’  He regarded her with casual curiosity.

‘A hero has to get a reward from the fair maiden, right?  Or, in this case, me.’

‘You’re a fair maiden, no matter what you might think.’  He argued as she wiggled enough to get one arm free and wrapped around his shoulders.

‘Fine, whatever, do you want this reward or not?’

‘Of course I want it, it’s from you, short stack.’

‘That’s fair short stack to you.’  She narrowed her eyes at him.  ‘Okay, close your eyes and you can have your reward.’

Keith closed his eyes, a small smile ticking the corner of his lips.  ‘I’m kinda looking forward to this.’

‘So you should be.’  She said in a hushed tone, pulling him closer…before pushing a cookie into his expectant mouth.

His eyes shot open and she burst out laughing, one of his favourite looks on her as she threw her head back with abandon.  ‘Whaf vuh heyul if vith?’

‘Amaretti cookie.’  Pidge giggled the words.  ‘They’re good!’

Keith turned his head while keeping a tight grip on her, spitting the biscuit as far from them as he could.  ‘That’s not the kind of reward I was thinking of.’

‘A cookie is a great reward!’  Pidge gave him a look of mock horror.  ‘What could be better than that!’

‘I’ll show you.’  He murmured before stealing her lips with his.

The small, satisfied noise Pidge made in her throat did things to Keith that such a simple noise shouldn’t, but there it was.  Awkward.  If there had been even the smallest doubt in his mind as to whether he was in love with her this banished it.  His body reacted to the smallest of her touches and now, apparently, noises she made.

Pidge’s fingers tangled in Keith’s hair as his lips softly caressed her, taking the kiss no deeper, but it was like a revelation.  She had always had this image that passionate kisses had to be messy and, well, a lot more tongue-y, but as their breath mingled under their continuous caresses, she realised she had been so, so wrong.  Her stomach was fluttering and lower down felt hot and tight, like it was just waiting for them both to follow through.  But not now, it was too soon, but the kissing?  Perfect.

‘Oh good grief.’  Matt’s voice broke them apart with a gasp as he toed at the broken door.  ‘I know you two are crazy hot for each other but don’t start breaking stuff.’

‘That was just Keith.’  Pidge said as she leant around Keith to see her brother.  ‘Jameson’s going to find out about repairing the door or getting us a new room.

‘A new room would make more sense.  It’s just for one night but it’s not exactly secure or modest.’

‘True.  Oh, whatcha got?’  Pidge finally broke out of Keith’s arms and tried to grab the package from Matt’s hands.’

‘Nothing for you!’  He held it over his head so she couldn’t reach.

‘Don’t make me climb you like the fucking redwood you are!’

‘I did get you something though!  It’s in my right pocket!’  He tried to divert her and it worked.  She was quickly pulling a paper bag out of his pocket and scrambling to see what was inside.

‘Nougat!  You’re the best!’  She popped a piece in her mouth before rushing back to Keith.  ‘Try one!’  She held one up to his lips before he could respond and he took hold of her wrist to hold her excited fingers still while he took the candy.  It made the moment more intimate than he had meant it to be but the blush that coloured her cheeks was well worth it.

‘Quit it with the PDAs, jeez!’  Matt implored them.  ‘Don’t you two have a date to go on or something?’

‘He’s right, we do.’  Keith nodded.

‘Okay, let me shower and change…wait, that’s going to be weird with a non lockable door.’

‘Change in the bathroom, I’ll guard the door.’  Matt offered.

‘Thanks, Matt.  ‘So shower and change, meet you downstairs in half an hour?’

‘Make it an hour.’  Keith suggested.  ‘We’re in no rush and we have all afternoon and evening.’

‘This just keeps sounding better and better.’  Pidge grabbed his arm and bounced enough to be able to kiss his cheek.  ‘I’ll see you in a while, my hero.’

‘Hero?’  Matt asked as Pidge started gathering her things.

‘Probably best you don’t ask.’  Keith shook his head, no doubt leaving Pidge to tell Matt exactly what it meant.

Notes:

Coming soon...in a few minutes actually...Pidge picks at Matt for information.

Chapter 36: Matt's Secret

Summary:

Matt confesses!

‘Oh my God, look at you!’  Matt gushed as Pidge emerged from the bathroom.  Her playsuit fit perfectly and was easy to move in.  Her makeup was subtle, and her hair caught away from her face but loose in the back.  ‘You look adorable!’

‘I’m changing.’  Pidge turned to walk back into the bathroom but Matt caught her arm, pulling her away from the door.

‘Don’t!  You don’t look adorable!  At all!  You look badass!’

‘Keep talking.’  She narrowed her eyes at him, knowing badass wasn’t exactly right but she didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to bolster her currently fragile confidence.  She wanted to look nice for Keith but makeup, an actual hairstyle that wasn’t a ponytail, and an item of clothing that required her to pretty much get naked whenever she wanted to pee, were giving her a hard time.

‘You look like a girl who’s about to knock her date’s socks off.’  Matt smiled warmly, holding her arm above her head and making her twirl for him with his other hand.  ‘Yup, yup, looking good, little sis.  Those slip-ons you wore the other night too?’

‘I was debating my sneakers.’  She looked at them longingly, sitting haphazardly where she had thrown them when she unpacked, taunting her with their familiarity.  ‘But I told Allura I’d wear the pumps.’

‘Wear the pumps.’  Matt agreed.  ‘And since when did you and Allura discuss fashion?’

‘Since everyone else is equally as invested in this relationship as we are, apparently.’  She picked up her small bag and slung it across her body.  It wasn’t big enough to contain much, but she didn’t need it to.  ‘We were just chatting about the date when we were done comparing notes on the Altean.’

Matt sat on the bed, his curiosity piqued.  ‘How’s that going?’

‘Weird.  But let’s talk about it when we have a door we can close for privacy.’  She nodded towards the opening in their room.  ‘And maybe we can throw some ideas around, because I’m kinda stumped.’

‘If you’re stumped it’s gotta be a doozy.’

‘A doozy?’  She cackled.  ‘Did you visit the nineteen-fifties today?’

‘Shut up!’  He laughed along with her.  ‘We’ll catch up later, and I’ll message you to let you know what’s happening with the room.’

‘And what’s in that package.’  She hinted as she slipped on her shoes.

‘Nope.’  Matt shook his head.  ‘Nice try.’

‘Oh come on, that’s two you brought back now!’

‘Maybe one is for Mom and Dad.’

‘If it was you’d tell me.’  She narrowed her eyes at him before taking a bottle of water from the mini fridge.  ‘Which means it’s not.  So you’re either gonna spoil this girl or you have your eye on two women.’  Matt shifted in embarrassment and Pidge gasped.  ‘Oh my God, it is two women!  You’re actually playing the field!’

‘I’m not!’  Matt got to his feet defensively.  ‘I just…’  He lowered his voice.  ‘I don’t know what girls like, not really, and every time I see something I think she might like I start to doubt my previous choice.’

Pidge sighed.  ‘Listen, I’m not exactly an expert on what girls like, but if she doesn’t like you for you then she’s not worth it.  Give her a gift, see how she reacts, but don’t go batshit crazy if she doesn’t seem that into you.  There’s plenty of girls out there who’d give you more than the time of day.’

‘I’m not about to go batshit over a badly received gift.’

‘I didn’t mean batshit as in get mad, I meant don’t keep pushing it if she’s not showing interest.’  She shrugged as she did a final check in the mirror.  ‘I’m pretty sure at least one person at the garrison wouldn’t be unhappy if you looked her way a bit more.’

‘Wait, what?’  Matt put himself between her and her reflection, his face both shocked and excited.  ‘Someone at the garrison likes me?’

‘I think so.  She does look at you with sickeningly sweet eyes.’  She fluttered her eyelashes to make her point.

‘Who?’  Matt grabbed her upper arms and all but shook her.

‘I’m not telling you mine unless you tell me yours.’  She gave him a grin so smug he had only ever seen her pull it when she was showing someone how wrong they were regarding something technical.

‘Dammit.’  Matt groaned, knowing she had him.  ‘Okay, I’ll tell you mine, you tell me yours, on three.  Deal?’

‘Deal.’  She put her hands on his upper arms so they were on a level with one another physically.  ‘You wanna count down or shall I do it?’

‘Both.  Ready?’

‘Ready.  Three.’

‘Two.’

‘One!’

‘Romelle.’

‘Romelle!’

‘I knew it!’  Pidge whooped.  ‘You are so quiznaking easy to read!’

‘What?’  Matt took his hands back in horror.  ‘What do you mean you knew?’

‘I mean, I wasn’t sure.’  She bounced excitedly.  ‘But I know she’s your type; she’s cute and pretty, funny too and not dumb.  Good for you, making a move though!  I’m pretty sure she won’t let you crash and burn.’  Pidge grinned to herself as she went for the door, almost time to meet Keith.

‘Wait, what do you mean you’re pretty sure?’  Matt looked at her in horror.  ‘Does she like me or not?’

‘How would I know?’  Pidge shrugged.  ‘I didn’t even notice Keith liked me.  Later!’  She chuckled to herself as she left Matt to no doubt have himself the freak out he deserved for having teased her so much.

Notes:

Next up: Date night/afternoon!

Chapter 37: Pala-dates

Summary:

Time for three paladins to go on two dates!

Notes:

You are really catching me up now!

Liliana looked at her reflection and let out a sigh.  It was just dinner.  A meal everyone eats.  There was no reason to feel as nervously excited as she did.  The two emotions were fighting for supremacy inside her stomach, like battling butterflies that actually had her hands shaking.  Still, she wanted to look her best, for herself, of course.  Definitely.  Not for Lance McClain.  Who she definitely at least had a crush on.  No, no, no!  She had to stay professional!  Though she had chosen not to wear a suit.  Instead she was wearing a floral tea-dress, buttoned up the front in white with a pale pink ditsy print.  She had taken care with her hair and makeup, wanting something different to her normal professional look, and all in all she was happy…but was it too much?  Was she treating this more like a date when she didn’t know if it was one?  Having said that, however, this wasn’t a business meeting, it was two colleagues getting dinner outside work.  Therefore she was allowed to dress in a way she wouldn’t under professional circumstances.  But what if…?

She growled at herself in frustration and walked away from the mirror to slip on her heels and grabbed her bag.  She was horribly overthinking this.  It was just dinner, an out of work meal, that was all there was to it and she wanted to look nice.  End of story.

Right.

 

Lance was pacing outside the hotel.  He had chosen jeans and t-shirt, he had packed casual other than his uniform, and he was now regretting it, especially when he saw Keith come out of the elevator wearing a black button down shirt with his jeans.  It looked immensely smarter than Lance felt and he a pang of jealousy hit in for a moment before he shook his head.  He would not be jealous of mullet, even if it was just for his shirt.  Keith spotted him and headed towards the doors.

‘Hey.’  Keith nodded to him as Lance stopped his small circuit of the front of the building.

‘’S’up.’  Lance replied, the words so out of character Keith gave him a concerned look.

‘Are you alright?’

‘I’m fine.’  Lance blustered.  ‘Why wouldn’t I be alright?’

‘Because you were pacing and muttering to yourself.’

‘I was muttering?’  That made Lance pause, having not realised.

‘I mean, your lips were moving and I couldn’t hear you so sure, muttering.’  Keith shrugged.

‘Huh.  So, was everything okay with Pidge when you got back?’

‘Fine.’  Keith’s answer was short enough that Lance knew something had bugged him.

‘Not entirely fine.  What happened?’

Keith shoved his hands in his pockets and let out a sigh.  ‘She was drinking with Jameson.’

Lance went bug eyed for a moment.  ‘Whoa, our Pidge, drinking?’

‘Coffee, drinking coffee.’  Keith specified.

‘Ohhh, so the problem wasn’t what they were drinking, it was that it was him.’

‘I guess.’

‘You’re jealous.’  Lance said exaggeratedly with a grin.

‘I’m not jealous of him!’

‘Not in the traditional sense.’  He shrugged.  ‘There’s a whole world of jealousy out there just waiting for you, and a jackass spending time with your girl is just one of them.’

‘That’s…annoying.’  Keith admitted with a grimace.

Lance rested his hand on Keith’s shoulder.  ‘Yeah, but it just proves how strong your feelings are for…oh hey, Pidge!’

Keith turned in alarm at the thought that Pidge might have caught him pouting, and there she stood in the doorway, brow wrinkled and lip quirked in an adorable expression of confusion.

‘Hey yourself.  What are you doing out here?’

‘Waiting for Liliana.’

‘You’re what?’

‘Oh really?’  Keith was surprised by his admission but Pidge grinned broadly.  ‘A date, maybe?’

‘We’re going out for dinner.’

‘A dinner date?’  She persisted.  She had noticed Liliana tended to bring their conversations around to Lance regularly and the interest seemed more than just a professional basis.

‘I don’t know, maybe.’  Lance was very interested in his feet suddenly, the tips of his ears turning pink as he deliberately avoided eye contact.

‘You men are hopeless.’  Pidge shook her head.  ‘Let’s get out of here before he gets so hot he stains the pits of his shiny white shirt.’

‘Right.’  Keith held his hand out to her and she took it with a grin.  ‘I hope you have a good night.  Oh, and don’t do anything to ruin your professional relationship with your envoy.’

‘Who?  Me?’  Lance scoffed.  ‘I’m the perfect gentleman.’

‘Now’s your chance to prove it.’  Pidge nodded towards the lobby as Keith led her away, leaving Lance to look up in time to see Liliana exiting the elevator, looking more lovely than he had so far seen her.  It made him swallow hard in the hope of stemming some of his nerves.  It didn’t work.

 

‘So, where are we heading?’  Pidge asked as Keith took her through the streets towards what she now recognised as the way towards Piazza Navona.  ‘Because it would be nice to not bump into Lance doing his lover boy bit.’

‘Don’t worry, we won’t bump into him.’  Keith promised.

‘Which means you’ve done some research.’  She hummed thoughtfully.  ‘Somewhere Lance wouldn’t think to go.’

‘Stop trying to guess.’  He laughed as he looked down at her.  ‘You’ll ruin the surprise!’

‘You know I like to figure things out though!’  She argued.  ‘Expecting me not to try and work out what I can from the parameters in front of me is asking me to quit the habit of a lifetime!’

Her response made him smile even wider.  He had to admit he loved the way she looked at everything as a puzzle waiting to be solved, but he doubted she would figure out what he had planned.  ‘How about, just once, you don’t try.  You just enjoy the scenery and wait for the surprise to unveil itself?’

She wrinkled her nose.  ‘I don’t know, that sounds like hard work.’

‘You have a funny definition of hard work.’

‘To each their own.’

‘And I admire you for that.’  Keith stopped and pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead.  ‘You’ve never let anyone tell you what you should do.’

‘That doesn’t mean people haven’t tried.’

‘And would you be where you are now if you’d listened to them?’

‘Listening only works if I’m learning something.’

Keith took her other hand in his, drawing her nearer.  ‘Are you listening now?’

‘Depends.  You going to teach me something?’  The look she gave him was wholly innocent and he had to swallow before replying.

‘If you’re willing to learn.’

‘Jeez, get a room!’  Lance’s voice ruined the atmosphere as he and Liliana walked past, his hand up to the side of his face to hide the view.

‘Shut up!’  Pidge yelled after him, noticing Liliana’s smile of amusement.  ‘You kids have fun!’

‘He always knows how to ruin a moment.’  Keith sighed as they began walking again.

‘We can have more moments.’  She squeezed his hand.  ‘Ones with one hundred percent less McClain!’

‘I always found they were the best moments.’  Keith said thoughtfully, making her laugh.

‘I don’t know, he’s good for somethings…’

‘Struggling to come up with one?’

Pidge wrinkled her nose.  ‘Yeah, and I don’t know why.’

‘They’re there, he just masks them with his obnoxiousness.’  He laughed as they reached Piazza Navona.  ‘Anyway, no more Lance tonight.  This is our date, not his.’

‘You seem pretty certain we won’t run into him.’

‘We won’t.’  He nodded into the plaza where Black was already opening her mouth for them.  ‘I promise.’

Notes:

Next we have:- Lance and Liliana at dinner!

Chapter 38: Cool Beer With Good Company

Summary:

Liliana's date with Lance begins!

Lance looked at the menu before him and wondered what had possessed him to ask for the food menu in English but not specify the same for the wine list.  It was his own fault, different servers had brought them to him and he had been too busy talking himself up to Liliana to realise.  Maybe turning it sideways would...nope.  It was all Italian to him.  He wished he had said that joke out loud. 

‘Is everything alright?’  Liliana asked as she watched him puzzling over the list before him.  ‘We don’t have to have wine.’

‘No, it’s all good.  I just don’t want to order the wrong thing to go with whatever food we decide to order.’

Liliana smiled.  She realised he was doing this for her benefit rather than his own and, while she appreciated it, it was unnecessary.  ‘Then let’s look at food first.’

Lance let out a small sigh before swapping menus.  Even in English it was obvious some dishes were lost in translation, and Liliana couldn’t help but watch his brow wrinkle in the most adorable concentrative expression she had ever seen. 

‘Is there anything in particular you do or don’t like?’  She asked after a glance over her menu.

‘Honestly, any Earth food is a treat, but I want to lean towards simple after last night’s smorgasbord of options.’

‘Then would you mind if I order for both of us?’

Lance looked up at her in surprise.  She was smiling sweetly and was perhaps offering him a way out of his puzzling.  ‘You know what, that would be great.’  He closed the menu and gave her a knee-trembling smile.

‘I’m glad you don’t mind.  A lot of men get territorial when a woman offers to do, well, anything for them, especially in public.’

‘Well, I’m not a lot of men.’  Lance leapt at the chance to use the pickup line and was relieved when she let out a gentle laugh. 

‘You’re definitely not.’  She agreed with him, sitting back as the server returned to take their order.  Lance waved his hand toward Liliana and was amazed when she reeled off a number of dishes in perfect Italian before returning the menu.

‘Okay, that was pretty awesome.’  Lance gushed as he leaned on the table with his forearms crossed.  ‘Am I allowed to know what we’re having?’

‘I ordered two dishes and thought we could share. It will give us the chance to truly sample the local cuisine.  I also took care of drinks.’  She nodded towards where the server was already returning with two glasses filled to the brim with frosty, cold beer.

‘Wait, you didn’t want wine?’

‘Honestly, it goes to my head too fast.  I’m quite happy just sitting and enjoy good food and a cold beer with dinner and good company.’

‘I am literally going to drink to that.’  Lance laughed as they were served their beers, raising their glasses and clinking them together.

Notes:

Next up! Keith has pulled out all the stops!

Chapter 39: Kidge Date

Summary:

Pidge-nic date! Or Pic-Keith! Anyway! DATE TIME!!!

Notes:

Well, this is it, you're up to date!!! I will write more, most of the next chapter is done already! But just bear with me as I get through this final slog of the house sale! I'm sure more things will crop up, but for now that's the big thing on the horizon! Anywho, enjoy the story so far, I'll be back soon!

‘Wow.’

That was all Pidge could think of saying.  Keith had brought Black to a secluded beach, at least a mile long and hidden from view of the land beyond by sheer cliffs.  The sand was white, the sea a crystalline blue, it was like something from a travelzine.

‘It’s only accessible by boat, or lion I guess,’ Keith explained, ‘so we should have the whole place to ourselves.’

‘You get extra boyfriend points for this, but I gotta say it…’

‘One remark about how there’s sand here and I won’t let you have anything from the picnic basket I brought with me.’  Keith interrupted and she shut her mouth immediately.  He got up from his seat with a grin and took her hand, pulling her through to Black’s interior and pulling back a tarp to reveal a cool box and blanket.

‘Oh my God, you really brought a picnic?’  She finally spoke again in complete surprise at the fact he had gone to all this effort.

‘Of course, I’m going all out, it’s a big deal, after all.’  His smile was more smug than she had seen it other than when one-upping Lance.

She shook her head.  ‘Damn, you got extra boyfriend points for the location, but a picnic too?  Boyfriend of the year.’

‘I’ll take that title.’  He handed her the blanket and picked up the cool box before heading towards the now lowered ramp.  They set out the blanket a little way from the water’s edge, far enough from the damp sand to know they were safe, and they both took a seat.  ‘Are you hungry?’

‘Are you kidding, I’m always hungry.’  She grinned as he lifted the lid off the box, showing an impressive array of dishes and drinks.  ‘When did you get time to do all this?’

‘I had the not-really-a-hotel fix it up for me while we were at the meet and greet today.  It’s amazing how much they’ll do for a galactic hero who asks nicely.’

Pidge watched as he laid out dish after dish; fresh meats and cheeses, crusty bread, a colourful salad, olives, the list went on, and her stomach rumbled in anticipation.

Keith handed her a plate and glass, then brought out a bottle of wine of which the cork had already been removed and put back in to save needing a corkscrew.  Cutlery followed next, then the wine was poured.

‘Here’s to our first date, and many more.’  Keith held his glass out to her and they clinked rims.

‘To successful dates.’  Pidge agreed, sniffing the glass as she brought it to her lips before taking a sip.  The taste surprised her and Keith could tell from her raised eyebrows that it was a pleasant one.  ‘This is sparkling apple juice!’

‘Well, yeah, you don’t really like wine.’  He shrugged.  ‘But you can get pretty much anything bottled up nice to impress someone.’

‘I’m definitely impressed.’  She agreed.  ‘A picnic on a secluded beach?  No alcohol?  No Lance?  Complete privacy, and all this good food?  I’m feeling pretty spoilt right now.’

‘Good, I want you to.’  He rested his glass on the lid of the cool box.  ‘So, what do you want?’

She knew he meant the food but couldn’t resist taking advantage him being distracted by being the perfect date, and she leant forward and kissed him.  It had the desired effect and took him completely by surprise, but it only took him a moment to respond, his eyes closing and his lips moulding to hers.  Pulling away from what was such an innocent kiss, Pidge’s cheeks burned, but she was glad she had had the courage to do so.  Keith too had flushed, and she hoped he didn’t mind.

‘What was…’ he cleared his throat, ‘what was that for?’

‘Because I wanted to.  Because I can.  Because you’re right there in front of me and you put all this effort in.  I love it, Keith, thank you.’

He smiled broadly.  ‘You don’t need to thank me, this was my pleasure to put together, but if you do want to thank me with more kisses I’m not going to complain.’

‘How about food first then I thank you a bunch more?’

‘Priorities.’  He chuckled, having heard her stomach rumble earlier which pretty much confirmed his theory that she hadn’t eaten well today.

The food was as delicious as it looked.  Pidge tried a little of everything before going back in for seconds.  There was plenty, and Keith delighted in seeing her enjoying herself.  They chit chatted about nothing in particular, the background noise that of the lapping waves and occasional gull.

‘Can’t eat any more.’  Pidge put down her plate and flopped onto her back on the blanket.  ‘So full.  You gotta watch out no environmentalists try and roll me back out to sea.’

Keith laughed loudly.  ‘You’re not going to get rolled into the sea, but I am glad you enjoyed the food so much.  And there’s dessert to go still.’

‘Dessert?’  Pidge’s head rocked to the side to look at him, her expression serious.  ‘But I’ll explode!’

‘It can wait.  It’s not going to spoil.’  He started packing the remaining food away before moving the cool box so he could lay beside her.

They stayed like that for some time, just listening to the sounds around them, feeling the weak afternoon sun slowly ebbing as it sunk on the horizon, until finally Keith spoke.

‘So, uh, what did you and Jameson talk about over your coffee?’

Pidge tried not to laugh but merely succeeded in bringing it down to a snort.  ‘You aren’t honestly jealous of him, are you?’

‘No.’  Keith’s voice was a mixture of defensive consternation and it only made Pidge laugh out loud.

‘You know I barely like the guy, right?  But I managed to make small talk like a proper grown up for a whole hour!  I’m kinda impressed with myself, to tell the truth.’

‘I didn’t know he could keep his hands to himself that long.’

‘I very deliberately made sure there was a table between us.’  She rolled onto her side to face him.  ‘What was I supposed to do?  He showed up with coffee...’

‘That’s a good reason to let him in.’

‘Shut up.  He asked to talk because he was worried he’d made some huge blunder this morning.  He thought you and Lance were going to drop him in deep shit with the garrison!  He knew he was wrong but he couldn’t apologise until it was over and he didn’t want to stew.’

Keith rolled to face her, surprised to find her face a picture of concern.  ‘I believe you, I know it was all fine, this time, but I still don’t trust him.’

‘Good, you shouldn’t.’  She pushed his chest gently.  ‘I don’t trust him either, but I do have to work with him, for now at least.  We’ve always made the best out of what we’ve got, and this is no exception.  Grin and bear it.’

‘Just because we make the best out of it doesn’t mean we have to like it.’  He grumbled as he wrapped an arm around her, allowing her to rest her head on his bicep as he held her.  ‘But I don’t want to talk or think about him for the rest of our date.  Longer, if feasible.’

‘So who do you want to talk about?’  She asked as she shuffled closer.  ‘Lance, maybe?’

‘Definitely not him either.’  Keith pulled a face.  ‘How about if we talk about you?’

‘Me?  But I’m so boring.’  She wrinkled her nose at the idea.  ‘We should talk about you, because you’re awesome.’

‘I’m not going to lie here and talk about myself.’

‘Then, I guess we…don’t talk?’  She suggested hesitantly with a raised eyebrow.

He nodded thoughtfully, such an over-exaggerated motion it was all she could do not to burst out laughing.  ‘Not talking.  Something else other than that.’

‘Thought of anything yet?’

‘Maybe, one thing.’  He smiled, his lips brushing hers in a gentle kiss.

Notes:

Next up: Back to Lance and Liliana!

Chapter 40: Getting To Know You

Summary:

Lance and Liliana talk over their food.

Notes:

Eyyyy look who ain't dead and is still in the fandom!

Honestly, my health is terrible, so forgive any obvious typos because my hands don't work as well as they did. Quick run down: health still deteriorating, new health issues every few months it feels like. Nerve damage through my elbows and neck/spine are causing tremors and twitches, and my brain types faster and more accurately than my fingers these days, so patience is appreciated! Pain is ridiculous, now virtually bed bound most days as I can't get comfy anywhere else but my bed or my wheelchair, and that's pretty depressing! But I'm still smiling and, most recently, writing again! Specifically this fic as my brain won't let me do much else. It has ideas but they don't quite connect together. This one though, I found myself laying awake just before midnight two days ago, typing up a random idea I had for something to do with the mysteriously unconscious Altean! Full convo between Pidge and Allura noted, and then I could finally sleep! I'm also going through the whole series again just for research purposes obviously, and I've reread almost all of my one shots too! I'm so sad!

Cute little update now, my girls, who were so young when I started my @miraculousmumma profile, are now a week away from turning 21, and the other is having her final two exams today then she will be finished with our equivalent of high school for good and starting college next year, which here makes her 16! Time has seriously flown by!

I've been feeling nostalgic for Voltron recently, and for the feels I had in 2018 and onwards, all the friends I made who I miss, Pixie, Tog, all of you. I still have amazing online friends from various fandoms but I miss the Voltron ones! Anyway, that's my age I think, rocking 50 now like it's a comfortable old biker jacket that fits me perfectly and lamenting my broken body!

But now, over to Lance and Lil!

Lance’s eyebrows went up at the first bite he took and didn’t come back down for some time.  Liliana thought it comical yet endearing as she watched him eat the food she had ordered, so enamoured that she forgot to eat herself.

‘I thought all pizza was perfectly round!’  His astonished voice was adorable as he took another bite.  ‘I didn’t know they could be all out of shape.’

‘Rustic is the word you’re looking for.’  She told him before finally taking a piece for herself.  ‘Freshly made and baked pizza dough is a world away from the frozen monstrosities served around the world.’

‘Hell yeah, it is!’  He put the part eaten slice on his plate before picking up his fork and twirling spaghetti onto it from the large bowl between them.  ‘What was this one called again?’

‘That’s spaghetti al pomodoro.  It’s a simple dish but also a test of a chef’s skill, to see how well they can do with basic ingredients.’

‘This is a world away from canned ravioli.’  Lance said around the bite in his mouth.  ‘Sorry, that was rude.’  He quickly chewed and swallowed.  ‘You picked good.’

‘I went for the simplest things on the menu.  Often they’re the best.’  She took her first bite and was delighted by the flavours of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes bursting over her tongue.

‘Yeah, they are!’

They ate in silence for only a matter of moments before Lance spoke again.  ‘So, do you speak any languages other than English and Italian?’

‘Just Spanish, Portuguese, French, Mandarin, and Russian.’

‘Whoa.’  Lance just stared at her, his loaded fork partway to his mouth.  ‘No wonder you were chosen for this job.’

She shook her head as she finished her bite.  ‘That was just a bonus.  I always excelled at languages so it seemed silly not to learn as many as I could.’

‘Wow.’  Lance shook his head.  ‘So what did you actually study?’

‘Diplomatic studies.  It might sound boring but I got a lot of out of it, and it brought me here.’  She shrugged as though it was no big deal.  ‘What about you?’

‘I’m not really the academic type.  I’m more your action hero.’

Liliana snorted her beer as she tried not to laugh, assuming it was a joke that was timed badly with her taking a drink.  ‘Sorry.’  She wiped at her eye with her napkin as she coughed slightly.

‘All good?’

She smiled to reassure him, his expression one of concern.  ‘Your joke caught me off guard.’

‘My what now?’  Lance blinked before realising what she meant and decided just to avoid it, his attempt at impressing her not working one bit.  ‘So diplomatic stuff, and you were obviously good enough to be recommended to the garrison.’

‘I was top of my class and my professor has links to the garrison hierarchy.’  She smiled as she swirled the spaghetti around her fork.  ‘They asked him for recommendations and here I am.’

‘Well, I’m glad he did.’  Lance toasted her with his glass before taking a gulp.  ‘What about family?  What do they think of you having such a high profile job?’

‘My job isn’t really high profile, just my client.’  After a moment her smile slipped as she hurried to cover herself.  ‘Not that I think of you as just a client, of course!’

‘Glad to hear it.’  Lance smiled, letting her know he wasn’t insulted or put off.  ‘But back to your family, because I think you already know all about mine.’  He winked.

‘I know names and data, no real personal details.  You learn a lot more by speaking to people than you do reading a document.  I have one sister who is younger than me, Mum and Dad live on the Norfolk coast which is in the east of England.  I was lucky enough to get a place at a major university within near distance of home so I could visit often.  Dad’s a retired economics professor, Mum still teaches at the local high school.  My sister is studying law at university.’

‘Wow, just three people to fight for the bathroom?  That sounds like a dream.’

‘Actually, I envy you your big family.’  She picked up one of the slices of ciabatta from the basket on the table, ripping a piece off before dipping it in balsamic and olive oil.  ‘My grandparents were gone long before I was born and I had no aunts, uncles, or cousins.  I always thought how nice it would be to be fully surrounded by people who love you.’

‘Wait, your parents didn’t love you?  Also I wondered what was in that dish?’

‘Balsamic and olive oil, it’s very good with the bread.’  She chuckled.  ‘But my parents do love me, very much, but they were also both very busy with their careers.  Often as a teen I would come home and make dinner for my sister and myself, then sit around reading waiting for Mum and Dad to get home.  My sister spent a lot of time in her room so I entertained myself.’

‘That does sound kinda lonely.’  Lance followed her lead and dipped his bread.  ‘But a houseful is no picnic either.’

‘I think every household is like that, the grass is always greener after all.’

‘Holy quiznak, why have I never had this before?’  Lance’s eyes went wide when he tasted the bread.  ‘This is so good!’

‘I won’t steer you wrong when it comes to food.’

‘You seem to know your stuff.’

‘I like to eat and I like to cook.  Life is too short to eat boring food.’

‘Oh my mom would love you!  Her mantra is to eat well and live life to the fullest.’

‘I bet that you running off to space wasn’t what she had in mind when she said that.’  Liliana laughed.

‘Well, no.’  He wrinkled his nose.  ‘Once she was over greeting me and being happy I was okay I got one hell of a talking to.’

‘Those who love us generally get the most angry.’

‘I mean, I get it, Mom has good reason to be pissed at me, but it’s not like I did it on purpose.  Not like Pidge.’

‘Pidge deliberately went to space?’  Liliana frowned in confusion, her glass partway to her lips.  That wasn’t in the generally released information.

‘She would have if she could.  But I meant she left home, ran away.  She entered the garrison under a fake name, posing as Pidge.  I was at the garrison on my own merits.’

‘Then, did Pidge completely falsify her enrolment?’

‘Yeah, I mean, I guess, maybe?’  Lance scrunched up his nose as she raised a valid point, then laughed.  ‘You know, I never asked.  I know for a fact she had the grades to get in as Katie Holt, but I don’t know if she actually applied or if Pidge Gunderson had a whole new application.’

‘Either way she got in on her own merits, then.  Just not conventionally.’

‘Definitely not that.’  He drained his glass.  ‘Actually, I was wrong in what I said earlier too, in a way.  She absolutely would have tried to get to space, if she knew what really happened on the Kerberos mission, because she was not only determined to find out what really happened to her dad and Matt, but if she had found out the truth she would most likely have stolen a ship and headed out to look for them herself.’

‘That does sound like Pidge, actually.  I’ve only known her a day though so what do I know?’  Liliana signalled the waiter.  ‘Would you like another beer or shall we move on?’

Lance was surprised by her offer to move on elsewhere rather than call it a day, a smile sliding onto his face.  ‘Moving on would be good.  What did you have in mind?’

Notes:

You might not believe this, with this fic suddenly being back from the dead, or at least the brink, but I have written quite a few more chapters already in this, so they will hopefully continue to come to me!

Don't forget to breathe life into this old girl by commenting if you're still along with me for the ride!

Chapter 41: Beach Date

Summary:

Keith and Pidge's date continues.

Notes:

Hey all!

Well, I'm on hold for some stupid bullshit so I figured I'd post here while I wait! I am still a few chapters ahead and am finding myself sporadically writing, which for me is a nice change from not writing at all!

Yesterday I had a lovely day out with my girls and my mum, as it was my eldest's 21st birthday! I got her so many fandom things she was amazed! It helps having a geeky mumma to go with it! And tomorrow is my youngest's prom! Argh, time flies!

But enough about me, back to Kidge!

Laying on the blanket in the warm afternoon sun, Keith’s palm splayed over Pidge’s back, spanning the space between her shoulder blades, feeling the heat of her body through her clothes as their kisses slowed.  Keith nudged Pidge’s nose with his own as her lips sought his, and he couldn’t help but chuckle at how adorable she was.

‘You’re teasing me.’  Her brows knitted together with a frown.

‘Actually I’m admiring you.’  He nuzzled at her cheek.  ‘I didn’t know you could make noises like that.’

‘You are teasing.’  She pushed at his chest as she rolled backwards, giving her enough momentum to break his hold and continue into her knees then feet.  ‘And you’re not exactly silent yourself, Mr Growls-Like-His-Space-Wolf.’  She kicked off her shoes and walked towards the water’s edge, hoping there might be a breeze enough to cool her heated cheeks.  And ears.  And entire body honestly.

Keith sighed to himself as he watched her shove her hands in her playsuit pockets and hunch her shoulders, dabbling her toes in the water.  He hadn’t meant to upset her, he thought the noises she were making were adorable, no, actually they were hot, and maybe that was a step too far for their  fledgling relationship.  He owed her an apology.  He hadn’t meant to mess things up when they only just begun.  He got to his feet and followed her much smaller tracks in his boots.  By now she had paddled out to mid shin, and he stopped at the edge behind her.

‘Hey.  I didn’t mean anything by that, and I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable.’  He kept his voice low but knew she would hear him all the same.  ‘This is so new I just let my mouth run away with me and…’

‘Hah!’  Keith didn’t get to finish as he was showered with sea water, Pidge kicking it up at him multiple times as she giggled.  ‘I’m not mad at you, dumbass, but I can tease as good as I get when I need to!’

‘You brat!’ He sputtered a laugh as he jumped back, large patches of his outfit soaking wet.

‘You should have thought through your clothes for the beach better!’  Pidge cackled as she attempted to splash him again, but her laughter was starting to get the better of her.  ‘Mine was a fluke!  You knew and you still wore jeans and boots!’

‘You know what…’. Keith looked down at himself, knowing she was right and his outfit was already a lost cause.  He ploughed into the water rapidly, getting far wetter but not caring.

Pidge yelped and turned, trying to run parallel to the beach so as not to get deeper, but Keith had the advantage of surprise, and much longer legs.  He caught her quickly, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her off her feet as she laughed and yelled at the same time.

‘Put me down!  Keith!’  Pidge grabbed at his arms around her, kicking her legs and spraying them both with droplets, but his grip was unrelenting.

Her giggles were music to his ears, such a free sound at one time he hadn’t realised she was even capable of, and the joy hit him straight in the heart.  ‘Someone said something about teasing?’  He murmured in her ear before shifting his grip to one arm and scooping up her legs, even as she continued to wriggle.

‘Okay, you win!’  She gasped.

‘You’re calling it?’  He checked, not quite believing this from who he knew to be as stubborn as they come.  ‘Giving up first?’

She shifted in his arms enough to feel secure, wrapping her arms around his shoulders for good measure.  ‘This has the potential to get messy real fast.  We’re both already a little wet, you more than me, and it doesn’t have to get worse than this…right?’

‘Hmm.’  Keith looked thoughtful for a moment, over-exaggeratedly pulling a face and turning his eyes away from her.  It was when his violet gaze fell on her, a smile spreading on his face, that she knew she was screwed.  ‘I’ve always thought of you as an equal.’

‘Don’t you do it!’  She pulled herself closer to him, assuming he was going drop her, but she was wrong.  He really was keeping things equal.

His knees bent as he pushed them forward into the waves even as she took a breath, submerging them both before breaking the surface a moment later.  ‘Now we’re equal.’

‘Oh my quiznak!’  Pidge wiped water out of her eyes before glaring at him, getting sprayed as he shook his hair.  ‘You are such a stupid jerk!  A stupid…hot…jerk…’  Her voice trailed off as she realised how close they were, and how very, very wet.  Her playsuit clung to her, the sun warming her skin where it had cooled with their plunge.  Keith’s body gave off so much heat as to almost scorch her, or maybe that was just her cheeks at the way he looked with droplets sliding down his skin.  She swallowed and licked her dry lips, watching a particular drip as it slid towards his lips.  ‘Sorry, I just…gotta…’  She drew herself closer to him, her eyes closing as she brushed her lips against his, unable to help herself.

It was barely a touch but it took Keith’s breath away, and he didn’t wait to regain it before deepening the kiss.  On some unspoken cue, their tongues met, stroking one another as they learnt the tells the other gave in actions and sounds.  Pidge fisted Keith’s hair between her fingers and the noise he made had her shiver in his arms, as though it called to her body on a level she had never before experienced.  For Keith, it had him shift her position, still holding her weight in his arms but her body flush against him.  It felt so natural for her legs to wrap around him that she didn’t even hesitate, her core pressing to his firm abdomen as it begged her for some sort of friction, but she resisted, despite knowing by instinct how good it would feel.

Keith didn’t remember telling his legs to start walking, but he was back on the beach, still tasting Pidge with long, languid kisses that had her murmuring in approval.  He knew better than to mention it now, but his brain seemed to have floated away on the last wave as he lowered Pidge down onto their picnic blanket, not caring that they were both sopping wet.

He pulled away just far enough to focus on her, both of them gasping as water dripped from Keith’s hair onto and around Pidge’s face.  A slow smile lit up her face, a soft laugh escaping her lips.  ‘You are such an asshole.’

‘Beats being an emo.’  He ducked his head and kissed her cheek once, then twice, this time nearer her jawline, and she groaned as he moved away from her again.

‘Maybe you’re an emo asshole then.’  She pulled lightly on his hair and was delighted when his eyes fluttered.  She tucked that information away for future reference.

‘Can’t I just be your asshole?’  He leaned in to where her fingers were caressing his scalp.

‘I don’t know, I’m considering naming you my new pet dog, because you are so much like Kosmo it’s hilarious.’

His eyes shot open from where they had been resting closed to find her grinning at him, and it was all the distraction Pidge needed.  She used her training to flip his unsuspecting form over, putting her firmly on top, her hands on either side of his head.  ‘You’re comparing me to my space-dog now?’

‘You like being scritched behind the ears.’  She shrugged, which was when he noticed how her playsuit clung to her breasts.  Oh, that was not good.  He returned to eye contact rapidly, trying his best to remember what they had been talking about when she continued.  ‘Do you like your belly scritched too?’  She sat back on his hips and poised her fingers over his abdomen, wiggling them for good measure.

‘You know better than to do that though, right?  Because some animals bite when you touch their bellies.’

Pidge bit her lip, resisting the urge to say that was what she was hoping for, and instead put her hands on her hips.  ‘If you act out I’ll have to have you fixed.’

Well, that reversed the effect of her sitting on his crotch pretty quickly.  ‘That’s kind of drastic, don’t you think?’

‘Yeah, I think I can tame you without resorting to that.’  She shifted her position and laid the length of him, one forearm across his chest, the other elbow resting beside it so she could plop her chin on her hand.  ‘You don’t look like you need a shock collar or anything.  And you seem clean enough to not need a tick bath.  You’ve already proved yourself a good attack dog, and you’re pretty affectionate too.’

Keith ran his hands over her back, the sun warming the damp playsuit and she arched at his touch.  ‘Affectionate with those I care about.’  He said quietly as he sat up, pulling her towards him in another kiss.

‘I noticed.’  She said on a hushed breath before his lips stole all her words once more.

Pidge had always figured kissing must be messy, and her younger self considered it gross, but suddenly she was very into it.  The heat of Keith’s tongue stroking hers as his hands pressed her into him was something she couldn’t have even begun to imagine.  She had been right before, he was so warm, the heat of his body somehow drawing her closer, even though physically it wasn’t possible without taking a major step in their relationship.  She murmured appreciatively into his mouth as his hand trailed down her back, caressing what curves she had in a heated trail.  She couldn’t help it, her hips twitched and it was the reality check they both needed, the kiss slowing to a stop.

‘Sorry.’  They both said at once, then laughed together.

Pidge rolled to off Keith and sat beside his hip, one leg bent on the blanket, the other knee up to her chest which she wrapped her arms around and hugged tight.  ‘I don’t know what I’m doing.’

Keith turned onto his side and leant up on one elbow.  ‘You’re doing okay from where I’m laying.’  He gave her an encouraging smile.  ‘But I get it, this is new for both of us.  We’re learning as we go along.’

‘Even you?’  She looked at him doubtfully.

‘Even me.’  He chuckled softly.  ‘I don’t know what you think I got up to with the Blades or in the quantum abyss, but this is probably as new for me as it is for you.  I’d like us to find our way through this together though, with no pressure.  What do you think?’  He held his hand out to her with a soft smile that had her heart flutter.  Her fingers brushed his a moment later before lacing them together.

‘I’d like that.’  She agreed quietly.  ‘I…I really like you, and I know we’re friends but I’m so scared I’m going to do something wrong.  I hate not knowing what I’m doing.’

‘It’s not one of my favourite things either.’  He sat up and crossed his own legs, facing her but not releasing her hand, instead he cradled it in both of his, caressing it softly.  ‘But it doesn’t have to be a bad thing.  We’re in the same boat so we can figure this out together.’

‘I’d like that.’  She watched his much larger hands as they stroked her skin, tracing random patterns that soothed her more than she could have explained.  ‘But for now, how about those strawberries?’

He smiled as genuinely as she had ever seen with a small laugh on the end that had her heart soaring.  ‘That’s something we don’t need to figure out.’  He raised her hand and kissed her knuckles before reaching for the picnic basket.

Notes:

A lil Kidge wet smoochies for the win!

I'm still on hold...

Chapter 42: Affogato

Summary:

Lilance dessert!

Notes:

Eyyyy, guys! I'm still here, and finally back to writing this again and feeling up to posting. I have felt so poorly this last week, thanks to an infected gum. It started with toothache 8 days ago, quickly becoming an infected and swollen gum, face, neck, pain, tingling, flu type symptoms, heavy antibiotics from the dentist, and worry over whether it would affect my heart. I was a wreck! Now most of the swelling has mostly gone, the pain is at a minimum, I can write again and have a vague attention span. Basically as back to normal as I ever get! Although I am kind of tired last night as my boo was sick last night and she wanted to sleep in with her mumma. I'll sacrifice anything for my girls, even sleep, though now I'm achy and sleepy!

‘Local desserts…’  Liliana mused as they walked through the dusk lit city streets, Lance occasionally getting waylaid by well wishers and gratitudes.  ‘First question.  Do you prefer hot or cold?’

‘I don’t mind either, really.’  Lance waved off the little boys who had had him sign their soccer ball.

‘Okay, what about fruity desserts?  Or something simple?’

‘I don’t mind something simple, like ice cream, though maybe non-alcoholic.  Gotta set a good example.’  He winked and Liliana couldn’t help giggling.

‘Do you like coffee?’

‘I love coffee.’  Lance leant towards her, his eyes sparkling like she had just started speaking his language.

‘Then I think I have the dessert for you.’

‘Is it Tiramisu?  Because I do like it, but it doesn’t like me, for some reason.’  He screwed up his nose at the reaction that had had him trapped in the Garrison bathroom for a few hours the first and only time he had tried it.

‘Simpler.  And I hope it won’t have any adverse effect on you.’

‘I handled space goo for a stupidly long time, I think my stomach has steeled itself now.’  He couldn’t help but flex slightly, realising he might have talked himself down by even alluding to his prior gastric distress and wanted to talk himself up again.  ‘What did you have in mind?’

‘A simple affogato.’

Ten minutes later, Lance found himself seated outside a small cafe with a pretty stemmed bowl filled with vanilla gelato, and a cup of steaming hot espresso.  ‘This is really how they do it?  You swear?  Because I don’t want to make an ass out of myself with the locals.’

‘I promise you.’  Liliana poured the espresso over her gelato first, to show him she wasn’t leading him astray.  ‘Affogato literally translates as “to drown”, the melding of two after dinner classics.  The hot, the cold, the bitter, the sweet, the contrast of colours.  It’s incredibly popular.’

‘Well, you didn’t steer me wrong this far.’  He took a small breath before pouring the coffee on top, watching the edges of the gelato melt into the dark liquid.  ‘Here goes nothing.’  He muttered, before taking a spoon of both and bringing it to his lips.  He had to admit, the scent of creamy coffee had his already full stomach rumble in anticipation, not to mention his tastebuds salivating in preparation.  Yup.  She was right again.  He closed his eyes and moaned softly, the combination of the flavours playing over his tongue in a new yet familiar way.  When he opened his eyes again he found Liliana looking at him in gentle wonder, her own spoon still sitting in her dessert as she watched him enjoy the dish.

‘This is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.’  Lance spoke around the food that remained and immediately shovelled another bite in, the gelato melting on his tongue rapidly as the coffee acted as a caffeinated chaser.

‘If affogato is the best thing you ever put in your mouth, I’m telling Hunk, because he will be insulted six ways til Sunday.’

Pidge’s voice made Lance choked down the bite he held before he turned to see both her and Keith returning from their date, their clothes worse for wear than when they left, a picnic basket in Keith’s hand that didn’t hold hers, and their hair stood out at all angles.

‘Don’t tell Hunk I said that.’  Lance frowned at her.  ‘You know he’s a top shelf chef but have you ever tried this?’

Pidge laughed.  ‘Lance, I’m Italian, I grew up with affogato.  Actually, I grew up stealing affogato because Mom didn’t want us to have caffeine and decaf is a dirty word in the Holt household.’

‘Decaf can have its place.’  Keith argued, and Lance couldn’t help but notice the soft look he gave her.

‘Yeah, and that place is the bottom of the trash can, according to my folks.’

‘So break tradition when you two have kids and let them have it with the banned drink.’  Lance waved his spoon between them before going in for another bite, meaning he missed both Keith and Pidge panicked expressions as his suggestion they have children.

‘I think that’s our cue.  Enjoy your evening.’  Keith said rapidly and pulled Pidge away from the table.

‘Have a good evening.’  Liliana called after them, Pidge turning back with a small wave, before she gave Lance her attention again.  Lance and her dessert, that is.  ‘Do you think they’re serious enough to be considering children?’

‘Those two?  Not right now, I don’t think.  Or I hope not.  Kinda fast if they are because they haven’t been together a week yet.’

‘That was what I thought too.’  Liliana dropped her chin onto her hand with her elbow on the table.  ‘I was starting to think you knew something I didn’t.’

Lance looked up at her and away from his food, finding her expression thoughtful and incredibly cute, and he stumbled over his words.  ‘Uh…I just know how long they’ve both been pining over one another.  I guess the kids comment just slipped out.’

‘It happens.’  She shrugged.  ‘I know there have been multiple occasions I’ve put my foot in my mouth without thinking.’

‘Happens to the best of us.’  Lance grinned as he finished the last of his affogato.  ‘But enough about them, I gotta say that this is probably the best night of food and company I’ve had in a long time.’  He leaned back in his chair, one arm over the back in what he hoped was casual but maybe a little intriguing.

‘I agree, thank you for asking me.’  Her voice softened as she poked at her remaining gelato coffee mix, almost melted enough to be a drink alone.  ‘Honestly, there hasn’t been a lot to celebrate since the arrival of the Galra, and you’re responsible for the fact we can sit here together now, enjoying peace and safety.  So, thank you for that too.’

Her simple yet sincere statement touched Lance, and he sat up again, the mood more serious than he had anticipated, and his cheeks flushed, her words warming him.  ‘I mean, yeah, but, we all played a part.  It wasn’t just me and…yeah.’  He scratched the back of his neck and laughed nervously.  ‘Can I ask something?’

‘Anything.’  Liliana leant forward, concerned by how serious he had suddenly become, wondering if she had soured the so far pleasant mood.

‘Because we’re not really here in our official capacity, do you mind if we don’t talk about that, like not as paladin and envoy.  I’ve been having a great time, but as Lance.  I don’t get to just be Lance so often since we got back to Earth.’

‘You have been incredibly busy, it’s understandable you would want to enjoy being yourself and just relaxing instead of posturing constantly in front of officials.’

Lance let out a small sigh.  ‘That’s it, exactly.  I don’t mind showing up as the multiple galaxy saving hero, waving and smiling for everyone, but I’m just a boy from Cuba who got a lucky break that led to something bigger than…well, anything any of us could have imagined.  And sometimes that boy from Cuba just wants a nice meal with a nice girl and a little peace and quiet.’

Liliana’s heart clenched at his admission, giving him a warm smile.  ‘If it helps you, if I can be that girl, then I’m happy to oblige any time.’

‘You might regret that.’  He laughed.  ‘I can be pretty needy.’

She smiled confidently.  ‘I think I can handle you.’

‘I bet you can.’  Lance murmured, then cleared his throat, realising that might have been a little forward or, well, weird of him.  ‘Do you want to do something after this?’

Liliana was surprised by his question.  She wasn’t sure what else there was they could do now they had eaten.  ‘If we can come up with something, sure.  Did you have something in mind?’

As was the case most of the time, Lance did, in fact, have nothing on his mind.

Notes:

I love writing people abusing decaf, because I myself am caffeine intolerant and haven't had it in so many years! In this household, caffeine is the dirty word, because no one likes me when I'm poorly from "food poisoning" lol

Chapter 43: Movie Date

Summary:

Date night becomes double date movie night!

Notes:

Hey all!

Well, have I been on a roll today or what?! I have written like four or five chapters, despite the ridiculous heat we are having in the UK and my proclivity for fainting, and I just can't wait for you to read what I wrote! Which is nearly ten chapters ahead, honestly, so I need to pick up my posting schedule and stop being so lazy!

I did an awesome mumma thing this week too, I took my baby Boo, who of course isn't a baby at all, is 16 and has left school and is starting college in September, to get her tongue pierced! She's her mumma's daughter for sure, next to no swelling, no bleeding, and a fast recovery means she only moaned for one afternoon! I reminded her about my gum infection the week before and that she had chosen to have this done! My face is now back to normal size and no longer painful though I am very wary about eating on that side! Still waiting for my referral for an extraction but as long as I'm not in additional pain, I can manage!

‘I got it!’  Pidge looked up from her laptop to the large screen TV on the wall in the lounge of the hotel.  ‘We are about to get some primo movie watching, free of charge!  All the hits we missed while off world!’

‘Of course you did, I’d expect nothing less.’  Keith smiled at her from his seat beside her.  Both were showered and in comfier clothes.  For Pidge, that was shorts and a tank top, for Keith, sweats and a t-shirt.  ‘What are we going to watch?’

‘Okay, don’t hate me.’  She pressed one final button and the screens mirrored one another, a list of movie names listed alphabetically that she scrolled through.  ‘But they made a movie of that video game Lance and I bought at the space mall.  Killbot Phantasm?  It’s supposed to be soooooo bad and I’ve wanted to watch it ever since I found out about its existence.’

‘You…want to watch a bad movie?  By choice?’  He frowned at her as she clicked on the movie, stowed her laptop, and settled into the couch beside him.

‘It’s the badness that makes it good!’  She laughed, realising what was wrong with her seat as she continued to wriggle.  ‘It’s like the cheesier a movie, the more fun it is because sometimes the plot sucks so much it’s hilarious, the acting and special effects are low budget, it’s great to watch and not take it too seriously.’  She grabbed his hand and pulled it over her shoulder then snuggled against him.  ‘Okay, there we go.  Movie date.’

Keith laughed at her bravado, her cheeks flushed at her own actions, but damn if it wasn’t the cutest thing.  He leaned towards her and kissed her temple just because he could, and she fluttered surprised eyes at him.

‘What was that for?’

‘Just because.’  He smiled warmly at her.  She wrinkled her nose and warred with herself, and he had to resist kissing her again as he watched her trying to come up with a reply and eventually she settled on something as she shot him a grin.

‘Shh, movie’s starting.’

Keith chuckled to himself and turned to face the screen but he was all too aware of her warmth sitting in a solid line against his side, more so when she tucked her legs to one side and leant on him more.  He gave her a small squeeze, hoping to let her know he was happy with this, but she didn’t respond so he took that as a good sign.

The studio logo lit the room as atmospheric music played, the screen darkened a moment later, the title written in a gothic font crawled towards the screen…

‘THEY MADE A KILLBOT MOVIE?!’

The couch bounced as Lance leapt over the back and onto the far end.

‘Why did no one tell me?  Why didn’t you tell me?’  He punched Pidge in the arm, so she kicked him in the thigh.

‘Quiznak off, Lance, this is our movie night!’

He made a dismissive noise.  ‘Good luck enforcing that in the lounge.’  He looked around to where Liliana still stood in the doorway and patted the couch between him and Pidge.  ‘Come, sit, we just found our next date activity.’

‘This is our date activity!’  Pidge prodded him with her toes but then shifted position to make room for Liliana, who was even now feeling flustered butterflies after Lance called tonight a date.  Pidge didn’t really mind, the whole reason she and Keith had chosen the lounge was so they didn’t get carried way…again, but it was just natural to verbally spar with Lance.

‘Here.’  Keith spoke as he shifted his arm around Pidge and pulled her into his lap sideways, her back against the arm of the couch, seated securely on his thighs.  She stuck her tongue out at Lance with a smirk as Liliana joined them.

‘So, what are we watching?’  She frowned at the unfamiliar movie.

‘So, while we were in space, we found a Mercury Gameflux console with Killbot Phantasm I…’

‘And Lance got a free cow.’  Pidge added.

‘Yeah, I got a free cow and…hey!’  Lance glared at her.  ‘Who’s telling this story?’

‘You, badly.’  Pidge leaned towards the coffee table and grabbed her soda, using Keith as a lever not to fall off by looping her arm around his.  ‘Carry on.’

‘Are you going to keep interrupting?’  Lance narrowed his eyes at her before flicking his eyes towards Liliana in some vague attempt to let Pidge know not to cramp his style.

‘Probably.’  She grinned, but turned her attention to the movie, taking a sip of her drink before passing it to Keith.

‘Alright.’  Lance lowered his voice and leaned towards Liliana.  ‘The game is awesome.  Once we finally got it set up and running we had so many game nights, it was a nice slice of home.  And I’ll tell you about the cow later.’

‘Okay.’  Liliana smiled, her cheeks warm from his vicinity, but turned her attention back to the screen anyway.

A little under two hours later they all looked at the credits rolling, none of them quite sure what to say.

‘Well…that…was…’  Keith started, unsure how to finish.

‘It sucked!’  Lance announced loudly.  ‘How can they take a video game that was so well loved and turn it into…into…that pile of weblum crap!’

‘Still standing by that something so bad can be good?’  Keith gave Pidge a knowing look where she was leaning against his shoulder, her nose wrinkled in disgust.

‘Okay, this is the exception, and I’m sorry I made you all watch it.  But in my defence it’s such a good game I didn’t believe they could have screwed it up that badly!’

‘It’s like they tried to use the name as a catch to drag unsuspecting fans in.’  Lance waved his hand towards the screen.  ‘It’s a travesty!  An insult to the name!  They should be ashamed of themselves!’

‘But the part where they were fighting the giant worms was kind of funny.’  Liliana interjected, trying to lighten the mood a little.

‘And that scene that was supposed to bring them together as a team?  I’d have left them anyway, they.  They could barely function as a team even during the end fight.’  Keith argued as Pidge grabbed her laptop and shut the screen mirroring down.

‘And if you’d had that attitude we would never have been able to form Voltron.’  Lance shot back.

‘Different situation, Lance.’  Pidge added as she stretched.  ‘And a moot point because we did get Voltron up and running eventually.’

‘Was it not straightforward, then?’  Liliana looked between them all.

Keith and Pidge laughed as she got off him then pulled him to his feet.  ‘We’ll let you tell Liliana that story.’  She said as she threw her can in the recycling bin by the door.  ‘I’m beat, and we have to do this whole two days all over again in England from tomorrow, right?’

‘That’s right.’  Liliana smiled apologetically.  ‘I have to leave a couple of hours before you to take my flight so I can be there on your arrival.’

‘Or you could catch a ride with Lance.’  Keith suggested as Pidge pulled him towards the door.

‘Wait, you could!’  Lance grinned, giving her a hopeful look.

‘Night.’  Pidge called back, leaving the two of them alone.

‘Would you like to ride my lion?  I mean, with me, in my lion?’

‘Smooth, sharpshooter!’  Pidge’s voice came from somewhere in the distance, making Lance frown.

‘No one asked you!’  He turned back to Liliana, his voice lower, more intimate now the two were alone and, hopefully, Keith and Pidge were out of earshot.  ‘Would you come with me tomorrow, instead of taking your flight?  Blue is a smooth ride and I know she’ll like you nearly as much as I do?’

‘If it’s really okay?’  Liliana asked hesitantly.  ‘I don’t want to upset things with the Garrison or…anything, really.’

‘I’ll fix it.’  Lance smirked confidently.  ‘What are they going to say to the galaxy saving hero?  No?’

Notes:

There is a follow up to Lance's question about would they say no, you just have to wait for not the next chapter, but the one after that, and it becomes a whole thing, so, yeah! it will follow up!

Next time: Pidge and Keith say goodnight...and get interrupted by Jameson because why would I give them peace and quiet?

Chapter 44: New Door, New Room

Summary:

Jameson is creepy. Just a little bit, but that's enough!

Notes:

Ao3 is having an issue today, so hopefully this posts! I'm going to bulletpoint down the notes I put up already and lost because the website didn't post my chapter!
Bloody hot. Feet swollen, fainting risk. Spending the day with my feet up writing this fic.
I can only rest all day because my grocery shop was delayed due to a broken down van. instead of delivery 9-10am it's now going to be after 7pm.
This is annoying because normally my girls and I spend the best part of the day prepping my meals for the week because I have such exclusive dietary requirements and can't eat the same things as them.
We're doing laundry too.
Also my package was cancelled which is a little annoying but no big deal.
I'm going to copy paste this in case it crashes a third time lol

‘Hey, they fixed my door!’  Pidge remarked as they reached it.  ‘I wonder if my key still works.’  She turned the card over in her hand.

‘Are you actually going to sleep here tonight?  Because Matt kept you awake last night, remember?’

‘And I crashed on Liliana’s couch, I know.’

‘That’s not really worthy of your status, you know?  The press would go crazy if they knew, not to mention the Garrison.’

‘I’ll figure something out.’  She shrugged.

He took her hand in his, so he held both of hers, his thumbs grazing over her knuckles.  ‘If you find you can’t sleep you can always stay in my room.  It doesn’t have to be for anything but sleeping, but I want you to know the offer stands.’

‘No need to put yourself out, Captain.’  A third voice interrupted them and they turned to see Jameson approaching them, holding out a keycard.  ‘I can’t believe you didn’t mention you slept on Cooper’s couch last night, but when I found out I arranged another room for you, just a couple of doors down so you don’t have to share with your brother.’

‘Oh, uh, thanks, I guess.’  Pidge took the card from his outstretched hand.  ‘I’ll use it if I need it.’

‘Just doing my job.’  He winked with a small eyebrow raised that Pidge thought he meant to be sexy but instead just came off as creepy.  ‘Goodnight.  Remember, I’m not far away either.’

‘I thought we got past his douchery.’  Pidge wrinkled her nose as Jameson’s door closed, leaving them alone once more.

‘I don’t believe in that kind of miracle.’  The look of disgust on Keith’s face finally slipped to a softer, more gentle one, as he turned his attention back to her.

‘But at least I have a solution if Matt has another thrash attack.’

Keith shook his head.  ‘I don’t fully trust Jameson not to have another key to that room.’

Pidge gave a small laugh, thinking about how Keith had to be exaggerating Jameson’s intentions.  ‘Maybe I’ll send Matt there to sleep.  It would serve Jameson right, if that’s his plan, and Matt would kick his ass.  Not to mention it would be hilarious.’

‘And safer.  My offer still stands though.’

‘I’ll see what happens, but don’t wait up just in case.’  She pushed up on her tiptoes, pulling on his hands to help her balance as she pressed a soft kiss to his lips.  ‘I had the best time on our date, Keith, thank you.’

‘Me too.  Even Lance invading movie night couldn’t sour my mood.’  He smiled down at her.

‘But we have another busy day tomorrow.  So, goodnight.’

‘Goodnight, Katie.’

Pidge felt the rush of blood to her cheeks as he called her by her real name.  Pidge was as much a part of her now as Katie was but there was something special about the way Keith said it, or perhaps it was the fact it was Keith who said it.  Either way, she didn’t mind.

Keith waited until she closed the door to head back to his own room.  He stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled.  He hadn’t felt this happy in a long time.  Maybe not ever.

Notes:

Coming next! Lance gets the answer to his question from chapter 42; "What could they say? No?"

also, this was a short chapter so I might post another one later!

Chapter 45: Everyone Has Entered The Group Chat

Summary:

Lance gets his answer, then puts his foot in it, Voltron pow-wow, and Jameson continues to be a dickhead!

Notes:

Hey! So I didn't get around to posting another chapter yesterday, but here it is for you finally and it is a looooooooong one! I'm sure you won't mind!

As for my day yesterday, my package came today finally, the grocery shop showed up at 915pm, which was when I was in my pjs and not expecting it to show up at all, so I was exhausted this morning, woke up in so much pain I could not physically move, and have today had people out to clean the mould off our windows (it's owned by the local council so it's their responsibility), and try and fix my leaky toilet, only to be told they couldn't look at the latter as it's a specialist wet/dry bum wash toilet so I have to wait until Thursday! i also spent two and a half hours this morning from 5am doing the meal prep I should have done yesterday but couldn't and then the rest of the day collapsed on my bed while avoiding asthma attacks thanks to all the chemicals being sprayed on the windows! Phew! I just want one quiet day!!

‘No.’

‘Oh, come on!  Matt is travelling with Pidge, why can’t Envoy Cooper ride with me?’

Shiro shook his head.  ‘Matt is still an honorary member of the Garrison, not to mention a war hero.  He has experience in the field and, when it comes down to it, your Lion is a military weapon and not a pleasure cruiser.’

Lance’s brain tried to formulate another argument in the face of Shiro giving him a firm, arms folded stare over the video call.  It was made all the more pointed by his floating arm bobbing slightly, the light below his shoulder casting shadows over his Garrison uniform.  Lance couldn’t think of one, not straight away, but he stammered out some letters and half formed words before finally settling on; ‘But it would be good press?’

‘Stop teasing the boy, Shiro.’  Sam remarked as he went past.  ‘It won’t do any harm, and maybe Jameson can ride with Keith.  It would make sense to have them all arrive together.’

‘I don’t think Keith will go for that.’  Lance muttered, as Shiro relaxed his pose and smiled.

‘Yeah, okay, you got me, Sam.  It’s fine, Lance, just make sure she stays safe.’

‘Wait, really?’  Lance asked as Sam, gave him a curious look.

‘Why don’t you think Keith will go for Jameson travelling with him?  If it’s some clash of personalities then Pidge could take him and Matt go with Keith.’

‘No, that definitely won’t work!’  Lance said far too loudly and far too quickly, which made both men give him a curious look.

‘Okay, what’s the problem with Jameson?’  Shiro demanded.

‘I…uh…he’s…’

‘Now!’

Lance sighed, knowing that now he had to say something, and he didn’t see any point in lying.  ‘Jameson’s being borderline inappropriate with Pidge.’

‘He’s what?!’  Sam yelled, as Shiro looked at Lance incredulously.

‘Excuse me?’

‘Yeah, so we’re all trying to keep him away from her.’

‘If he’s being unprofessional he needs bringing back and reprimanding.’  Sam snapped, a little fiercer than he meant to, but dammit, this was his baby girl and he wouldn’t sit still.  ‘Maybe even a dishonourable discharge!’

Shiro smiled softly and rested his hand on the smaller man’s shoulder.  ‘Okay, papa bear, calm down, your cub is in safe hands with Lance, Matt, and Keith, but I agree, this has to be actioned.  Lance, tell us everything, then we’ll speak to Pidge herself and see what she wants to do.’

‘She’s not let him get away with anything, which you’d expect really.’  Lance smiled slightly.  ‘But he is persistent and can get a little…handsy.’

‘Does Jameson have a good record?’  Shiro deflected Sam by quickly asking another question that only he could answer.

Sam blustered for a second, obviously struggling to remain professional, but he realised what Shiro was doing.  He was going about things rationally.  ‘I’ll speak with Iverson, but when you speak to Pidge I want to be there.  I need to know she’s okay and not just putting on a brave face.’

‘She’s not, and she’s aware, even though she thought it wasn’t because he was attracted to her at first.’  He rubbed the back of his neck as he thought over the last two days.  ‘She’s got this weird idea she’s unattractive.  Anyway, he’s deliberately done things, like resting his hand on her back a little too low down, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.  He even told her to smile more, for quiznak’s sake!’

‘And she hasn’t strung him up with her bayard yet why?’  Shiro looked at him in disbelief.  Pidge wasn’t one to take any crap from anyone, she would say it like it is, and the fact she hadn’t retaliated in some not so subtle way was unusual.

‘At first she was in denial about it, and we’ve all been keeping an eye on things, but she’s aware and about on her last nerve, to be honest.’

‘I’m calling her.’  Sam pulled out his personal phone, then paused.  ‘No, I’m calling Matthew.’

‘General Holt, Matt has really stood by her, I don’t think he needs a going over from you.  He even bunked in with her the first night just in case.’

‘He was that worried?’  Sam glared at Lance then began calling Matt anyway.  ‘He should have reported this.’

‘How has Keith been taking Pidge getting this unwarranted attention?’  Shiro asked, and it made Sam pause.  That was a good question.

‘He’s pretty pissed about it, but he’s letting her handle it how she wants.  He respects her choices, even if it does seem stupid.’

‘Matthew Holt, why didn’t you tell me your sister is being harassed?!’

‘I’m not being harassed!’  It was Pidge’s voice that came back, slightly distant but there all the same.  ‘And who told?’

‘Lance.’  Sam and Shiro said at once, and a moment later the screens all linked up, Pidge leaning over Matt’s shoulder, throwing visual daggers directed at Lance, who missed it as he was facepalming so hard he couldn’t see a thing.

‘You tattling little shit!’

‘Language!’  Sam cut her off from saying more.  ‘I want to hear what has been happening from you, young lady.  If Jameson is being inappropriate in any way, this is a concern for the Garrison.’

‘I can handle it, Dad.’

‘He’s been really up all over her.’  Matt spoke, Pidge punching him in the arm.  ‘Ow, hey!  I’m not going to defend him or let you brush this off!  It’s a big deal!’

‘It may be a big deal but I’m a captain of the Galaxy Garrison and I don’t want to look like I can’t handle something this blatantly stupid!’

‘You are a captain, it’s true,’ Shiro said, ‘but the responsible thing to do in your position would be to report him and send him home for his behaviour.’

‘I wasn’t sure at first it was behaviour and not just habit, like maybe he was like that with everyone.  I didn’t want to send him packing for a character flaw.’

‘Yeah, but he pretty soon proved it was just you.’  Lance decided to give his opinion, knowing everyone else was on his side and he would be damned if he wouldn’t stand up for Pidge after all they had been through.  ‘Touching you and pulling you around like you should be joined at the hip.  And when he told you to smile more, I’d have floored him myself if it wasn’t in front of the dignitaries.  You don’t have to put up with his behaviour.’

‘I’m not.  We had a proper conversation yesterday and he was pretty respectful.  He apologised to Keith for his outburst while you guys were meeting the royal family.’

‘He had an outburst in front of the royal family?’  Sam stated more than questioned.  ‘That’s unacceptable.  He was the only envoy chosen from within our ranks and he’s going to give us a bad reputation.  I’m calling Iverson and getting him recalled.’

‘Dad, please.’  Pidge insisted, as Lance spoke.

‘It wasn’t in front of the royals, just before we met with them.  Was it unprofessional, yeah, but at least he had the sense to contain it to me, Keith, and Liliana…erm, Envoy Cooper.’

‘You can use her first name, Lance.’  Shiro assured him it was okay.  ‘What did he blow up about?’

‘About Pidge not being there.’

‘You didn’t meet the royal family?’  Sam again.

‘I had to check something for Allura about the Altean at the barracks hospital.  It took priority, or at least to me it did.’

‘That’s acceptable.  We’ll come back to that later.  First, we need to know what we’re doing about Jameson.’

‘Give him one more shot.  If he hasn’t changed his ways then I’ll give him a dressing down and dismiss him.  If needs be I’ll call it in and have him escorted back by the Garrison.’  Pidge replied while looking to her wrist console, realising she had a call coming in from Keith.  She hit a couple of buttons and linked him into the call.  ‘Come join the party, everyone is bitching at me for either not electrocuting or firing Jameson.’

‘Hey…all.’  Keith waved hesitantly.  Lance was here too, so it wasn’t really a family conversation.  ‘And if we’re on the topic of Jameson, I have some pretty strong opinions.’

‘I bet you do.’  Shiro smirked despite the seriousness.  ‘Tell us what’s been going on.’

‘I’m getting my coffee.’  Pidge groaned, going to the table behind her and finishing preparing the cup she had been making when their father called.

Keith relayed every little detail he could remember, some Pidge herself had even blocked out as being insignificant, but she realised this had been more in-depth than she thought, and another memory came back to her as she stirred her mug.

‘Actually,’ she spoke as soon as Keith finished, before anyone could ask any questions about what had him rushing back to the hotel the day before, fearing for Pidge’s safety, ‘now we put it all together, I think maybe he was digging for information about my dating status before we left for Italy.’

They all looked at her, Matt turning fully sideways in his seat, eyes wide.  ‘What did he say?’

‘It was after the Garrison briefing with the envoys.  When we got sent off to separate rooms to get to know them.  Shiro, you stopped Keith and I went on ahead with Jameson.  He seemed really interested in whether or not Keith and I were an item, even directly asking if I was single.’

‘And what did you tell him?’  Keith asked, having not heard this and knowing it was before they officially became a couple, at least in their own eyes, if not the Garrisons.

‘I told him we weren’t an actual item and that I was married to my lion.  And we weren’t at that point,’ she said defensively, ‘if I’d known he’d do what I guess is some bizarre touchy feely courting ritual I would have lied.  At the time it just seemed like he was getting to know me.’

‘Yeah, but there’s getting to know you, and getting to know you.’  Lance said the last in air quotes.  ‘And he really wants to get to know you.’

‘In my defence, we were meant to be becoming acquainted with one another.  For all I knew he was just asking about the relationship between me and Keith for clarity.’

‘You didn’t tell me that.’  Keith spoke quietly but everyone heard, and Pidge rolled her eyes with a sigh.

‘Listen, we all know I have zero experience with men and that naïvety is no doubt what’s brought us to this point.  But I still say give him one more shot, Keith and I will make our relationship clear, and if he’s still the Garrison groper then we pack him back home for an official reprimand.’

‘Katie…’  Sam shook his head as though he couldn’t believe her leniency, while Keith stated; ‘You’re being too soft on him.’

‘I’m offering him one final benefit of the doubt.  One last chance.  I’m not saying we start making out like we’re on heat every time we see him, but maybe be less subtle and see if he takes the hint.  Maybe that’s just how he flirts.’

‘That is not flirting!  And I should know!’  Lance banged his fist on the table in front of him.  ‘You don’t do anything to a girl you wouldn’t want to see someone do to your mom!  End of!’

They all just stared at him.  Lance was a huge flirt, but that was a pretty good rule to live by.

‘Okay.’  Shiro sighed before resting his hands on the console before him.  ‘We will let Pidge decide this, as it concerns her directly.  However,’  He added quickly as Pidge smiled smugly.  ‘If he does anything else even vaguely crossing the professional line you report him, he gets his write up, and potentially a dismissal, depending on if the Garrison want to make an example of him or not.  Do you understand?’

‘Got it.  Thanks, Shiro.’  Pidge nodded, forcing down her smile.

‘And if any of you witnesses something that she misses, it is your responsibility to report it.’

‘No argument from me.’  Keith agreed, Lance and Matt agreeing a moment after.

‘Good.  Now, if he should get recalled then envoy duties will all fall on Liliana Cooper’s shoulders so you will all need to go easy on her.’

‘I can act as an envoy.’  Matt raised a hand as he suggested it.  ‘If it helps I’ll even work as Cooper’s assistant.  She knows her duties and maybe I can just back her up.’

‘You’re also a war hero in your own right, Matthew.’  Sam reminded him.

‘Which makes it perfect.  I already know everyone, Cooper less so but we’ve met at least, and if my status helps get things done, well I’m not too proud to use that.’

‘We’ll take that into account, thanks, Matt.’  Shiro nodded to him.  ‘Now, if that matter is to rest for the moment, what have you been working on for Allura?’

Pidge put down her coffee and leaned over Matt, hitting a few buttons before standing back again as a single knock came from the door.  She gave Matt a puzzled look before going and opening it.  There she found Keith, hanging up on the call to join them in person.

‘Hey?’  She stepped aside and let him in.  ‘Sure, I guess this makes sense.’  She murmured before returning to Matt.  ‘We’re on a secure line now.  Like even secure from the Garrison so…no offence, Dad, but we don’t want this leaked til we know what’s going on exactly.’  She picked up her cup only to have it taken out of her hand a second later by Keith.  ‘Hey!’

‘If you drink this now you won’t sleep.’  He took a sip himself and wrinkled his nose.  ‘Damn, that’s so sweet.’

‘Just because you like your coffee like motor oil.’  She wanted to take it back but knew everyone was waiting for her to tell them what she knew, so she settled on pulling a face at him, showing her disappointment.  ‘Okay, so the Altean.  Before we left I went to speak to Allura about something but she was so worried about the Altean not waking up that we talked about that instead.  I suggested maybe it was some sort or neural or cerebral inhibitor and she was going to get scans done to see what they could find.  Maybe even look for something so crude as some sort of lobotomisation.  They must have run them all overnight as I woke up the next morning to a message from Allura letting me know they found something organic, a parasite of some sort in the brain tissue.  She asked me if I’d look over all the information and scans we have from the medics and see if I could see anything they missed with the advantage of having seen more in the last few years than any of our doctors.  I agreed and recommended a blood test from each of the Alteans to compare and see if, with only four of them, we could have enough data to compare and maybe cobble together an average, or at least if the Altean at the Garrison had something that was out of the ordinary.  The results were…different.  Like a genetic change has been made.  Nearly Altean DNA, but not quite.  The levels of quintessence were higher than Allura’s, but off the scale, not just a little.  Like someone gave her a quintessence infusion by a million percent.  I still need to dig into it a little further but Allura insisted…she told me not to prioritise it over other things.’

‘Like the meet and greet.’  Sam nodded, thinking he understood.  ‘But you were too late to join them regardless.’

‘Well, yeah, and no.’  She flushed slightly and Lance choked out a laugh.

‘You chose Keith over work?’

‘Allura told me to!  You can ask her!’  Pidge argued, and Shiro held up his hands to quiet them both.

‘It’s fine.  I think we’ve all been invested in your relationship for so long it’s nice to see it finally moving forward, but if you get any further with your investigation I’m sure we’d all like to know the results.  Agreed?’

Everyone agreed affirmatively.  ‘I checked it before Matt got back and it was still running my program.  Hopefully it will be done by morning.  If not, I’ll check it again as soon as we get to England.  I just don’t know what it’s going to turn up, if anything.  I’m looking for an unknown variable amongst unknown variables.’

‘You’ll get it.’  Keith rested his hand on her shoulder reassuringly.  ‘You always do.’

Pidge gave him a shy but grateful smile before deciding, screw it, and stepping into him.  She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest, closing her eyes with a sigh.  She was grateful she got to do this with him whenever she liked now, as she appreciated his confidence in her.  Truthfully, she was thoroughly frustrated with what she was missing from the Altean’s blood work.

‘Soon, I hope.’  She grumbled.  ‘I don’t like the idea that I’m missing something, it’s infuriating.’

‘I agree with Keith, you’ll get there.’  Shiro assured her.  ‘And we’ll leave it with you.  But we also have to decide how Jameson is getting to England.’

Lance pulled a face.  ‘He has a perfectly good flight booked for him.’

‘But if you take Cooper with you, then it will be all the more pronounced that he is being excluded.  Blatant favouritism even.  We need to appear as a cohesive unit, the Galaxy Garrison does not isolate or prejudice against anyone in their ranks.  We are a team, as much as you might hate that idea.’

‘I think I speak for all of us when I say we don’t hate the idea so much as the man you’re applying them to.’  Keith said seriously.  ‘But I understand us needing to display a united front, at least publicly.  I’ll take Jameson.  At least that way we know where he is.’

‘Thank you.’  Shiro gave him a warm smile, proud of him taking the high road.  ‘I’ll make sure the Garrison informs both envoys, and if word doesn’t reach them for some reason, double check with them in the morning and ensure they depart with you.  We will have their flights to England cancelled and you can decide before you leave there if you wish to continue with the same arrangement.’

Everyone replied or nodded affirmatively and Shiro sighed with relief.  ‘Keep us apprised of the situation and try and enjoy yourselves if you can.  But don’t smile if you don’t want to.’  He directed a wink at Pidge who spat a small laugh that was little more than air escaping her lips.  ‘Goodnight, Paladins, Matt.’

They all said goodbye and he cut the contact, leaving the three together looked at Lance, now alone on the big screen.

‘I didn’t think asking them to let Liliana fly with me would be such a big deal.’  Lance laughed sheepishly.

‘Get in here, now.’  Pidge stated firmly, and they saw his Adam’s apple bob before he too hung up.  ‘Okay, before he gets here,’ she pushed up on her tippiest tippy toes and pecked Keith on the lips.  Matt wasn’t sure if he was supposed to complain about her actions, tell Keith to cool it in presence, or the latter he eventually went with, which was to make gagging noises.  Pidge kicked his chair without looking as she dropped back to her bare feet.  ‘Thanks for coming in person.  The screen was getting a little crowded.’

‘Like I’d let you face them down when I’m only down the hall.’  He smiled and rubbed her jaw with his thumb.  ‘You did good.’

‘So did you.’  She punched him lightly in chest.  ‘Thanks for offering to take Jameson.  I know we have to look professional but he makes it difficult sometimes.’  Keith gave her raised eyebrows at her understatement.  ‘Okay, a lot of the time.’

‘Did you tell Matt about the other room?’

‘Just before you got here.  He’s going to take it.’

‘Thanks.’  Keith nodded to him, finding him watching the two of them with something akin to curiosity, but not quite.

‘I don’t need you to thank me for watching out for my sister, man.  Though I’m grateful you do all the same.’

‘And I’m standing right here.  If you think I wouldn’t have shoved a chair or cabinet against the door if I’d been in there alone tonight, then you don’t know me at all.’

‘I’d have thought you’d have found a way to set your bayard as a trigger to electrocute anyone trying to get in, but sure, keep it basic.’  Matt shrugged teasingly.

‘Quiznak off.’  She smirked at him as the door was knocked on again, no doubt Lance joining them.  Keith reluctantly released Pidge and went for the door, allowing her to quickly grab her coffee and down a few gulps while his back was turned before putting it back in place, Matt chuckling at her.

As soon as the door closed again, Pidge turned a glare on Lance and verbally let him have it.

‘You tale telling, tattling, blabbermouth rat bastard!  I was handling things just fine and you went and told my dad?!’

‘That wasn’t my intention!’  He held his hands up in surrender, worried he would get zapped by her bayard before Jameson was.  ‘I called to say about Liliana travelling in my lion and then I kinda…’

‘Put your foot in it, is my guess.’

‘Yeah, pretty much.  Sorry about that, I guess.’

‘You guess?’  She kicked him in the shin, more for effect than for pain, due to her being barefoot.  ‘Now Keith is stuck with Jameson.’

‘Come on, the flight will only take twenty minutes including our farewells on the ramps to the Italians, and at least we’ll know where he is.’

‘Sure, fine.  But next time don’t drag me into your little loved up shenanigans.  Last time you did that, you got Blue stolen and cuffed to a tree.’

Keith sputtered a laugh.  ‘I had almost forgotten about that.’

‘I hadn’t.’  Lance mumbled, before yet another knock came from the door.  Pidge made a point of counting each of them with a frown, demonstrating they were all already here, then shrugging.

‘I’m on it.’  Keith was at the door in three strides, opening it to find Jameson standing there with a small smile.

‘I just saw Captain McClain head in here and you’re here too?  Are you having an impromptu party, because I’m supposed to report anything untoward to the Garrison.’

‘Just how untoward do you think we get?  We’re the Paladins of Voltron.  Everything we do is for the greater good.’

Jameson peered around him, seeing Matt sitting at the table in the window with a computer open in front of him, Pidge standing beside McClain, and his eyes trailed over her in shorts and vest in a way that had her suppress a shiver and Lance step slightly in front of her.  ‘I guess it doesn’t look too raucous, and I could be convinced to let it slide.  For a price.’

‘You’re trying to blackmail us?’  Lance scoffed as Matt got to his feet, he and Lance dwarfing Pidge with their presence, but he hadn’t missed how Jameson’s eyes had lingered.

‘I want in, if you’re drinking, gaming, whatever.’  He smirked, thinking he had the upper hand.  Pidge was only too happy to knock him back down to Earth.

‘Cool, I’ll call Shiro back.’  She moved to the laptop and drew out the motions of pretending to put through a call.

‘Shiro…Captain Takashi?’  Jameson straightened slightly.  He might have been trying to insert himself into whatever he thought this was, but still, Shiro was a legend.

‘Yeah, we were just talking travel arrangements with him and my dad, General Holt.  But we already hung up, and if you think you’re missing out on some kind of illicit activity maybe they can confirm what was going on.  Of course, I think they have a meeting with some dignitaries, so if you want to interrupt that, be my guest.’  Her finger hovered over the call button and turned to look at him with a look of superiority on her face that made Keith, still standing by the door and effectively blocking Jameson, want to kiss her right here and now in front of everyone.  And not just a peck.

‘There’s no need to disturb them.’  Jameson said rapidly, as though his words had to get out to stop her from making that last click.  ‘I just thought…’

‘We know what you thought.’  Lance all but growled.  ‘But, while you’re here, tomorrow you’ll be travelling to England with Keith.  The Garrison cleared it.  Cooper will be travelling with me.’

‘And you?’  Jameson looked pointedly at Pidge, even though his eyes hadn’t strayed far from her since the door opened.

‘She’s got me.’  Matt took a step forward, Pidge virtually disappearing behind him.

‘Then that’s a fair distribution.’  Jameson nodded once but there was a tightness to his eyes, a well held anger that Keith recognised, a volatility that lurked beneath the surface, waiting to break free when he didn’t get his way.  ‘Does Cooper know?’

‘I’m going to tell her when we were done here.’

Jameson nodded, then deliberately moved his gaze to make what eye contact he could with Pidge.  ‘How’s your new room?’

‘Looks great.’  She lied, knowing she hadn’t even set foot in it, and wouldn’t be, especially not after this visit.  ‘Thanks again for fixing that up for us.’

‘I fixed it up for you.’

Nothing creepy about that, she thought.  But what she said was; ‘Still, Matt appreciates it too.  Right, Matt?’

‘Right.’  Matt shifted his stance slightly, again blocking Pidge from view.  ‘Was there anything else?  Because we all have another busy day tomorrow.’

‘No, not if you’re all dispersing for the night.’

‘We are.’  Keith started to close the door.  ‘Just as soon as this Voltron powwow is over.’  And, without skipping a beat, he pushed the door against Jameson enough to let him shut the door completely.  He took a long slow breath with his eyes closed before looking through the peephole to see the other man retreating.  ‘How bad would the reprimand be if I trussed him up and left him in Trevi fountain tomorrow morning?’

‘Not as bad as if it would be if you killed him.  We could could at least call the fountain a prank gone wrong.’  Lance assured him before turning back to Pidge, who was still staring at the door, her expression serious.  ‘You good?’

‘Yeah.’  She said absently.  ‘But that was creepy, right?  It wasn’t just me?’

‘Finally, she realises!’  Lance held his palms up and arms out straight towards her in a gesture of surprise.  ‘Took you long enough.’

‘Shut up.  Weren’t you going to tell Liliana what’s going on?’

‘Yeah, I should before it gets too late.’  He turned towards the door but Pidge called him before he could open it.

‘Do you like her?  I mean I know you were hooked on Allura for a long time, I just don’t want to see either of you blow your professional relationship because you’re, well, you.’

‘It’s not his professional relations he wants blown.’  Matt leaned into her and whispered, but she managed to ignore him.

‘Yeah.’  Lance fumbled.  ‘I mean, she’s cute, and I thought it might be a nice distraction while we’re travelling to flirt a bit, but the more time I spend with her, just, yeah.’

‘Aw, Lance are you smitten?’  Matt threaded his fingers together over his heart and fluttered his eyelids at him.

‘Shut up, I am not!’  Lance yelled back.

‘And you’re shouting because…?’  Keith prompted.

‘Because he’s right!’  Lance threw his hands in the air dramatically.  ‘I don’t know what it is about her, but I like her, a lot, and almost instantly, and it’s not…’

‘Shallow?’

‘Shallow?’  Lance looked as insulted as he sounded.  ‘I’m not shallow!’

‘I didn’t mean you, but if the cap fits.’  Keith shrugged.  ‘But what I meant is it’s more than just surface attraction.  Sure, you’re attracted to her, but you also want to get to know her, right?’

‘She’s interesting.  And fun.  I learned a lot about her while we were out tonight.  She speaks seven languages!  Her mom is a teacher and her dad is a retired professor.  She’s so smart but still so sweet, it hasn’t gone to her head, not smart like you two are smart,’ he waved vaguely at the Holt siblings, ‘but smart-smart.  Normal person smart.’

‘He called us abnormal.’  Matt nudged Pidge.

‘Yeah, he even suggested being smart has gone to our heads.’

‘To be fair, we are really smart.’

‘Damn right we are.’  They fist bumped one another without looking away from Lance.  ‘So, we have to make sure you get to know her better to make sure you do like her, and when we get back to the Garrison hope Matt’s gift is enough to win over Romelle.’

‘You like Romelle?’  Lance spat, the sudden revelation hitting him even through the Holt babble happening before his very eyes.

Matt flushed pink and glared down at Pidge.  ‘Thanks for that.’

She shrugged.  ‘Like it was going to stay secret for long.’

‘You do kind of seek her out whenever she’s in the room, even if it’s just with your eyes.’  Keith backed her up.  ‘You aren’t exactly subtle.’

‘Like you two can talk.’  Matt grumbled, and Pidge laughed, his mannerisms so reminiscent of the boy he had been it was almost comical.

‘You know what, go for it.  You got her…something, as a gift, and that’s a nice gesture.  I don’t know what counts as flirting with Altean’s, or maybe wooing is a better word because they’re such a  traditional race, but I could maybe ask Allura if she can help.’

Matt waved his hand at her offer.  ‘No, it’s okay.  I’ll figure it out.’  He grabbed a keycard sitting on the table.  ‘But for now, I’m going to head to the other room to sleep and hope I don’t get a midnight visitor.’

‘Good luck with that.’  Pidge replied as he pulled her into a quick hug.

‘You’ll be the first to hear if I do.’  He screwed up his nose before heading towards the door.  ‘Breakfast at seven?’

‘Sure.’  She nodded as he said goodnight to Lance and Keith.  ‘I get the bed to myself!’  She ran the few paces to it and jumped onto it, dropping onto her back with her arms out to her sides.  ‘Better than a couch.’

‘We’ll leave you in peace.’  Keith tugged on Lance’s sleeve.  ‘Goodnight.’

‘Night, guys.’  She waved from her position, not wanting to even move for a goodnight kiss.  She was looking forward to a decent nights’ sleep more than anything.

The door began to close but opened again almost immediately, Keith walking back to her and scooping her up into his arms as she gave a little surprised yip.  He walked back to the door, put her down, then bent his head and kissed her quickly.  ‘Now deadbolt the door before you fall asleep.’

‘Got it.’  She smiled warmly at him.

‘Sweet dreams.’  He winked at her, and she gave him a small wave before closing the door and doing as he suggested, deadlocking it before testing it for good measure.  It seemed sturdy enough but, just to be sure, she carried one of the chairs from the window and shoved it under the door handle.  You could never be too careful.

She looked back at the bed, suddenly so large but oh so inviting, and decided to do the sensible thing.  She went about her bedtime routine, using the bathroom and brushing her teeth, then checking her laptop one last time before burrowing down in the blankets and falling asleep faster than she could ever remember.

Notes:

Coming up! A very early start for Pidge and Keith, and they discover that Pidge can be very seductive when she doesn't even try!

Chapter 46: Never Too Early For Flirting

Summary:

Early morning with Keith and Pidge!

Notes:

Hey all! Yup, still going strong! I am up to chapter 61, if you can believe it, but I think it's time for a confession.

My health is not good. I know I talk about it often, or have in the past, but I have now got nerve damage through my neck, shoulders, and arms, which means I am having a lot of trouble with my hands, which are also tremoring and twitching without control. Don't get me wrong, I never plan on giving up writing, it is just becoming more inaccurate and I am really starting to notice it. If you spot any errors or something that doesn't make sense, feel free to tell me, although I always re read and try and correct anything I find on here, and I'll try not to be too hard on myself because I know it's not my fault. I guess just, please, be patient and gentle with me. I'm all but housebound now and only able to sit in my wheelchair or my bed due to the awful amount of pain I am in, barely sleeping, and even driving is now limited to very short journeys because of how bad it leaves me. let's not even start on the heat of the summer making me blackout and swelling my legs. I need to call the pain clinic again because they are about four months behind on the change they are supposed to have made to help me have a better quality of life, and my adapted car is causing me so many headaches, it's ridiculous.

Anyway, just a quick vent and admission, I'm going back to writing the aftermath of Jameson being taken into custody (admit it, that caught your attention!) while watching the live action How To Train Your Dragon with my Boodle, and trying extreme nacho Takis for the first time!

Pidge wasn’t used to getting to bed so early and found herself awake before the sun was up.  It wasn’t a bad thing, she didn’t think, it gave her some peace and quiet to check if there was anything from the data she could work on.  Failing that, there was always something she could tinker with, something she could work on.  She had had an idea just that morning and it had astonished her that not only she but none of the team had thought of it before.  Which was why she had her laptop plugged into the wrist computer from her armour while she ran through Allura’s data results searching for the anomalous anomaly that was so well hidden she had named it twice.

Eventually, she rubbed at her eyes, not through tiredness or because they were aching, but out of sheer frustration.  ‘What aren’t I seeing?’  She growled, taking a moment to check the time and realising it was almost time for breakfast, which also meant almost time for her to start packing up to leave for England.  It wouldn’t take her long, but they had to ensure the lions were packed up and ready to go, and now the envoys had to be loaded on board too.  It was more fiddly things to take up time that she could be using studying this; ‘stupid, tangled data dump of nonsensical numbers!’  She slammed the laptop lid shut and decided she was done for now.  With time getting away from her she was better off getting herself organised and ready to be out the door, giving herself a longer span to check it over again later.  She was grateful there had been no organised sending off ceremony, because that would have taken hours, and even though this was only the first stop of the tour, she was bored of it already.  Smile, wave, rinse, repeat.  She knew there had been more than that, a lot more and a lot more good things, like her date with Keith, the movie with Keith, basically any time with Keith,.  She was looking forward to breakfast for the same reason, and she failed to keep the smile from upturning the corners of her lips.  He had a lot to answer for, and it was all good, damn that stupid emo.  She started packing away her laptop and cables, but violet eyes kept drifting back into her thoughts.

Her back straightened and her eyes went wide as she had a sudden realisation.  ‘Oh my quiznak, it’s not him, it’s me!’  She started packing her things with more gusto, muttering under her breath.  ‘He’s not here, he’s not distracting me, my thoughts are!  My stupid hormones are!  I’m turning into a mooning girl in love!  Ew!’  She finished throwing the last things she could into her bags, carefully spending time detaching her cables and packing them with her laptop, knowing she would return to it as soon as she got the chance.  She figured she had the time and a walk in the first light of the sun sounded good right now, and Green was as safe as place as any, probably safer, so long as she had her armour to change into before the flight, she could just drop her bags off, get a little light exercise to ease her tense muscles, then grab breakfast and get Italy in her rear sensors.

She was just emerging from Green, having given her a pep talk and run down of how frustrated she was, when she saw Keith waiting for her at the bottom of the ramp, hair tied back with a few loose strands sticking to his cheeks, a vest and shorts, and running shoes, obvious to her now that that was exactly what he had been doing.  He glistened in the early morning light, sweat dewy on his arms and chest, neck and face, his eyes bright as he took her in, shorts and vest with her sneakers.

‘Good morning, Katie.’  He all but purred, his voice low and deep, his breaths shorter than usual following his exertion.  ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you this early.’

‘Trust me, I would rather be in bed than walking around in this accursed brightness any day, but I went to bed too early.’  He wiped his face on the bottom of his vest as she approached, offering a tantalising glimpse of his toned abs that had Pidge thinking far too many things that belonged in her deepest fantasies, especially at such an early hour, but she appreciated he was at least dryer when he leant down and kissed her softly.  ‘I can’t believe you did this voluntarily.’  She gestured at him in general, meaning his ability to not only rise and shine, but to exercise this early.

‘There’s only so many push ups I can do in the room.’  He shrugged.  ‘You heading back now?’

‘Yeah, thought I’d get ahead of the game instead of putting my head through a wall with frustration at the data Allura sent me.’  She took the hand he offered naturally.

‘I don’t think I’ll be any help, but if you want me to I can take a look?’  He offered as they walked, but she shook her head.

‘Nah, I’ll get there, I just need to sit and look at it without the knowledge I’m just waiting for something else to come along and disrupt me lingering in the back of my mind.  It’s frustrating not being able to set aside as much time as I want.’

‘We can see what time we can afford you while we’re in England, if that helps?’  He offered.  ‘We already proved we can do these things without you, if needs must, and Jameson can just unbunch his underwear if he gets cranky again.’

Pidge couldn’t help it, she laughed out loud and it echoed around the square, before she quickly stopped herself.  ‘It’s okay, I’ll get there, it’s just a lot of data with conflicting variables.  There’s an answer in there and I’m damned if it’s going to get the best of me.’

He squeezed her hand reassuringly.  ‘You’ll get it, but don’t burn yourself out doing so.’

‘Who, me?’  She looked up at him in amusement and he chuckled at her denial.

They walked in silence for a while, speaking about not much in particular in others, until they reached the hotel again.

‘I need to go shower, meet you in the breakfast room?’

‘I’m heading straight there so don’t be long.’  She nudged into him bodily, but it didn’t move him, and she hadn’t expected it to.

‘You can start without me, I don’t mind.’  He flashed her a wink, now at arms length as he still hadn’t released her fingers.

‘I can’t go anywhere if you’re still attached to me.’  She shook their arms in demonstration.

‘Damn, you’re right.’  He pulled hard on her hand, her body bumping into his as his lips met hers.

Pidge made a small murmur low in her throat that had Keith step closer, his free hand curving around her waist and pulling her flush against him.  The kiss was far from innocent, a tangling of tongues and hot, moist breath, and Pidge’s fingers pressed into his back with a pressure that sent a shot of arousal through Keith, a reality check that he knew now was not the time to cash.  He squeezed her to him, but slowed the kiss, taming the heat flooding him with slower, more languid kisses until he was able to stop entirely and press his forehead to hers.  Pidge’s eyes remained closed, her breathing heavy, cheeks flushed, the sudden passion of the kiss taking her by surprise, and there they stood for long moments as their racing hearts began to gradually slow.

‘Well, now I gotta take a cold shower.’  Keith laughed softly, making Pidge finally open her eyes, finding his still closed, a small smile on his face.  She pushed up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss.

‘And I gotta eat something for breakfast that isn’t you.’

That made his eyes open and he found her smiling in embarrassment, pink scorching her cheeks all the way to her ears.  ‘I mean, the offer is open.’  He said, his voice so low it was more a vibration than an actual sound.  He meant to tease her, see if he could make her blush deepen, but instead it had come out far too sexually and his own cheeks stained red instead.

‘I’ll stick with some pastries today, I think.’  She stroked her thumb along his jaw, the heat of his own embarrassment warming her fingertips.  ‘Maybe another time?’  She kissed his cheek and walked away, hoping she looked as cool as she thought she sounded, because in truth she was burning up, from self-consciousness, awkwardness, and pure lust running through her veins.

Keith watched her walk to the breakfast room.  Not once did she look back over her shoulder, not once did her steps falter, her hair bobbed around the nape of her neck, and damn where had that sudden confidence come from?  And by the time he entered the stairwell he was wondering just how cold his shower could go.

Notes:

Coming up! The journey to England: A story in three parts!

Chapter 47: England Bound

Summary:

A three part chapter; each Paladin talking to their respective flight buddy...and Jameson is still a dickhead!

Notes:

Hey hey! Nothing depressing today...I mean...not really. I had a hell of a morning involving being dicked around by car garages and the providers of my wheelchair adapted vehicle, no calls back from hospitals, dentists (my toothache is coming back), and service departments, a toilet engineer for my special bum wash toilet showing up about the leak only to be told it's a job for a plumber...who was here last week and told us it was a specialty job for them. So, yeah. I've given up and immersed myself in Kidge again for a change!

The Lions were packed up with their extra passengers and luggage, and there was a small contingent of Italian officials and a larger contingent of the worldwide press to see them off, but they were soon in the air and on their way.

‘You know, I didn’t plan on actually going with you on the entire tour.’  Matt commented from his seat back right of his sister, who was piloting Green with a hand that was more than practiced.  She could have done it in her sleep and it showed.

‘Then why are you?’  She asked absently, not really concentrating on either what he was saying or piloting.  They had their course and it was a simple thirty minute flight, including flypasts of other countries and their capital cities on the way, but she muted her communication with the other Lions, just in case.  ‘Because if you put this down to Jameson again I’ll have Green spit you back to the Garrison without a parachute.’

He shook his head, even though she couldn’t see, and sighed, ignoring her threat.  ‘After last night can you blame me?  He was creepy when we first got to Italy, but last night he was downright doing more than undressing you with his eyes.  And he threatened all of us.’

‘I don’t think he threatened us, but you know I am on edge about him.’

‘He straight up tried to blackmail us!  That’s threatening behaviour.’

Pidge huffed out a long sigh.  ‘Yeah, I know, that was a dick move.  But we all agreed that he’s on his last shot.  And I think I’m safe enough on my own, let alone with Keith and Lance too.’

‘I get it, but do you think Mom and Dad would let me live if I came home instead of staying here with you and something happened?  Besides,’ he leant forward and shook her shoulder gently until she gave him her attention, ‘what kind of big brother would I be if I didn’t stand by you through crap like this?’

She shrugged his hand off her but smiled.  ‘And I appreciate it, I don’t mind having you along, you’re pretty fun to be with when you aren’t being a douche, hell, I travelled halfway across several universes to find you!  Just don’t damn well baby me.’

‘Aw, but you’re my baby sis.’  Matt leaned closer and hugged her tightly.  ‘And I kinda wanna see you kick Jameson’s ass.’

‘Seems inevitable, right?’  She smirked as she pushed at him.  ‘Now get off me, I gotta do some fancy manoeuvres over France!’

She clicked herself off mute, checking her spot in formation, ready for their brief performance.

 

‘So, yeah, I started piloting Blue, but then got bumped to Red.  It was a whole thing.’  Lance shrugged nonchalantly as he showed Liliana some of the functions of Red that wouldn’t disrupt their flight.  ‘But Red and I, we get on great.’  He patted the console in front of him before turning in his chair to grin at her.

‘It’s absolutely fascinating.’  Liliana was leaning forward in her seat, amazed by both the view and the abilities of the Lion.  ‘And you each have a form of telepathic bond with your Lions?’

‘I mean, I’ve had bonds with both Blue and Red, but who’s keeping count?’

‘Then Keith has too?’  She asked for clarification and he pulled a face.

‘I mean, yeah, but…just me and him.  That’s pretty special.’

‘I would say so.’  She agreed.  ‘I hate to change the subject, but do you have any questions before we land in England?’

‘I guess so.’  He said hesitantly, having been enjoying being able to show off his Lion.  ‘Actually, yeah, I was wondering, London is the capital, right?  So why are we going somewhere else?’

Liliana sighed.  It was not really a sore topic but more a pity.  ‘We’re going to be going to Cambridge, which is actually where I was based for university and work.  London suffered heavily in the initial Galra attacks and is still trying to rebuild itself.  It’s a slow but sure process.  Even the monarchy were evacuated to Balmoral in Scotland during the first wave, but they have travelled down to meet you this evening at the state dinner at Kings College.’

‘Whoa, that’s…a lot of fancy sounding words.’  Lance swallowed hard, the combination of royal estates, world famous educational establishments, and formal wording making him nervous.  That wasn’t like him, but it seemed…a lot.

‘You managed just fine in Italy, and although it was a lot less formal I believe you will be amazing.’

‘But what if I use the wrong fork?  Or insult someone?  Do they still imprison people at the Tower of London?  Is it still standing?’

Liliana laughed at the spew of word vomit that flew from his lips and rested her hand on his arm reassuringly.  ‘The tower still stands but it hasn’t been used for centuries.  We have much more high tech prisons now, not that you would be sent to one.  You have a lot of diplomatic immunity you could throw around, should you want to.  And I’ll be right there with you to make sure you don’t try and eat your fish course with a soup spoon.’

Lance gave a small laugh of appreciation at her trying to lighten the mood and reassure him at the same time, and he took a chance, resting his gloved hand on top of hers.  ‘I’m really glad you’re there to guide me.  I thought coming home was a big deal, but this, this is out of my comfort zone.’

‘But you’ve met royals on other planets before.  And travelled with Princess Allura all this time.’

‘Yeah, but that doesn’t count.  I could always use being from another planet as an excuse if I screwed up, but now I’m on Earth again and feel like I could make some huge etiquette faux pas any second.’

‘Then let me make you a promise.’  She turned her hand over to squeeze his.  ‘If you are a good boy and don’t mess up, I will personally treat you to a meal at my favourite restaurant.’

Lance raised his eyebrows at her offer.  ‘That’s pretty tempting.’

‘Then follow my lead and try not to worry.  You’ve got this, hero.’

Lance felt his cheeks flush at her calling him that and knew, that for her, he would damn well try, especially with the opportunity for another night out with her at stake.

 

‘I bet she’s a smooth ride.’

‘Excuse me?’  Keith’s head shot around to glare at Jameson through his visor, his fists clenched tightly on the controls.

‘The Lion.  I haven’t felt a single bump of turbulence, let alone the manoeuvres.  The artificial gravity in here is sharp.’

Keith huffed a breath quietly, not quite a sigh but not quite a moan, and returned his attention to the front.  ‘The Lions run on pure quintessence.  That’s beyond anything the Garrison was even working on when we left.’

‘Amazing.’  Jameson ran his hand over the console he sat beside admiringly.  ‘I don’t suppose you’d consider letting me take her for a spin?’

‘You’re right, I wouldn’t.’

Jameson chuckled to himself, watching Green and Red on either side of Black, their Paladins just visible inside.  ‘You must have seen a lot.’

‘Some.’  Keith stated, not wanting to encourage him.

‘That’s an understatement if ever I heard one.  Come on, tell me some of the highlights.’

‘We were fighting a war, Jameson, not joyriding our way across the galaxies.’  Keith growled.

‘There has to have been some alien hotties who caught your eye, what’s that like?’

Keith had already had enough and got to his feet, muting his mic as he went.  He spun on Jameson, who was still seated, and waved a finger at him.  ‘I don’t want you here, but for the sake of keeping the peace, here you are.  Just sit there, shut up, and stop asking inane questions that don’t have anything to do with your duties as envoy.  Understand?’

Jameson regarded Keith curiously, as though he hadn’t just received a dressing down from the leader of Voltron.  ‘Where is this animosity coming from, Captain Kogane?’

‘Where is it…?’  Keith repeated, his voice trailing off in disbelief.  ‘Last night you tried to blackmail us into letting you join us in what had been the shortest debriefing on record, not to mention when you blew your top at the meeting with the royal family, and then there’s your treatment of Captain Holt.  She’s a Paladin of Voltron, a Captain of the Galaxy Garrison, and superior to you.  You need to treat her as such and not as someone put on this tour for your entertainment.’

‘I don’t know, she seems to like it.’  Jameson shrugged and sat back in his seat, manspreading his knees with his arms crossed.  ‘She seemed pretty happy to entertain me yesterday until you literally crashed our party.’

‘Learn the difference between someone being polite and being happy.’  Keith suggested, going back to his seat, but before he could reach it, Jameson spoke again.

‘I know you’re protective of her, she’s like a little sister you all take care of, and that’s admirable.  But the last thing I want to do is hurt her, far from it.  I would love the opportunity to make a woman out of her.’

Jameson’s head snapped back as Keith’s fist connected with his face, the latter having pulled the punch in a vague moment of clarity, not putting his full strength behind it.  Before Jameson could recover, Keith got down in his face, his hand braced on the wall above the envoy’s head, and snarled at him.

‘If you even come close to laying a finger on Pidge, Black here will chew you up and spit you out into the recesses of space, and that’s after I’m finished with you.  There won’t be enough of you left to make a DNA profile, do you understand that?’

Jameson wiped at his mouth and came away clean, it was a dramatic gesture considering there was no trace of blood, just a red mark where Keith’s gauntlet had increased the damage of what he had managed to pull into a light punch.  ‘I think we should leave that to Captain Holt, don’t you?’  Jameson’s smile was anything but pleasant, a challenge even, and Keith was only too happy to take him on and blow him out of the water.

‘Alright.’  Keith straightened.  ‘But take my word for it, you don’t stand a chance.  And when you lose, you will get the fuck back to the Garrison with your tail between your legs, even if we are still on this tour.  And that isn’t a request.’

‘May the best man win.’  Jameson sneered.

‘The best man already has.’  Keith growled, returning to his seat and unmuting himself.  ‘Formation time, Paladins.  On my mark.’

Notes:

NEEEXXTTTTTT!!!! Liliana takes charge, and Matt invades Pidge's space again!

Chapter 48: Excuses, Excuses

Summary:

Pidge doesn't curtsey. Liliana makes a surprising statement. Lance is Lance. Jameson makes excuses. Keith agrees with Jameson (shocker!). Matt gets teased.

Notes:

Listen, I'm on chapter 65 and I'm itching for you to see what is coming up, so as I have no self control here's another chapter! WOOOOOO!

‘I don’t care, I am not curtseying!’  Pidge hissed as they all gathered together at the foot of their Lions, awaiting the aides who had begun to approach them on the university lawn.  The meet and greet here was not immediately on departure, but they would be taken to their rooms to refresh and change into their dress uniforms.  There would be an official medal presentation ceremony by the Prime Minister and King before the press and selected guests, then onto the state dinner where there would be much mingling, talking, and dining.  And drinking.  They had all perfected the art of carrying a drink to look the part, while being wary that the taste and side effects could be extreme, and this would be no exception.

‘It is protocol.’  Jameson said it as though spelling out a particularly difficult concept to a toddler, her stubbornness riling him after the altercation with Keith on the flight over.

‘I’ll show you what you can do with your protocol.  I will bow, but I will not curtsey.  Do you know how stupid a curtsey looks in a dress uniform?  Quiznaking stupid!  That’s how!’

‘I don’t think it will be a problem.’  Liliana interjected herself into the conversation.  ‘I will double check with the attache to confirm but I am, however, almost one hundred percent certain we could ask the king to do a ritualistic mating dance in a wig and tutu and they would allow it because you are the Paladins of Voltron and they owe you their lives!’

They all just looked at her for this sudden mental image and no one seemed to have the heart to argue.  Lance on the other hand was distracted by something else.  He moved in close to Jameson’s side, his finger preceding him and poking his cheek.

‘What happened to your face?’

‘I didn’t duck when I should have…on the Lion.’  He said, his eyes not leaving Keith’s face.  ‘Too busy taking in the sights.’

‘Stupid thing to do.  The Lions are all pretty open plan in the back.’

‘It was in the cockpit.’

‘I can vouch for that.’  Keith replied, ignoring Pidge looking between the two of them as she tried to figure out what she might have missed.

Any further conversation was put on hold as the aide reached them and introduced themselves.  Minutes later they and their luggage were on their way to their rooms.  The university held en suite double rooms much the same as a hotel, but the architecture leading to them was classical to say the least, panelled walls and original artworks.  Liliana personally made sure each of them had everything they needed, pointing out where each of them were staying; Keith, Lance, and Jameson up one set of stairs, Pidge, Matt, and Liliana up another; and promising to come for them in an hour for the medal ceremony.  Admittedly, Matt had been a hasty add on, at the Garrison’s behest, but they had easily accommodated him in a room beside his sister.  Which was why the second they were alone, Matt found himself sprawled on Pidge’s bed while she got her dress uniform out to hang.

‘Did you see the way Jameson and Keith were looking at each other though?’  She asked, brushing some lint off her jacket where it hung on the outside of the closet door.

‘There was some tension there, sure.’  Matt begun channel hopping in the hope of something familiar, finally settling on the news which was running live footage from outside the university and from the press contingent inside awaiting the medal ceremony.

‘Yeah but, like, worse than before.  I can’t help but wonder if Keith gave him a dressing down about last night.’

‘Is it a big deal if he did?’

Pidge dropped down on the bed beside him and pulled out her phone.  ‘Not really.  I just don’t want to be out of the loop.  Smile with me.’  She held up the phone and took a candid shot of them both before uploading it to her Pidge pics and sending it to their parents.  ‘And you need to get back to your own room because I want to shower in peace and quiet.’

‘Okay, stinky.’  He rolled off the bed, kissing the side of his head as he went.  ‘Get scrubbed up and I’ll see you after.’

‘Wait,’ she called after him as he reached the door, ‘do you have a suit?  Or something smart to wear for this deal?’

He pulled a face.  ‘I’m not going, that’s why I said I’d see you after.  Jameson hasn’t gone home yet so I’m not an actual envoy assistant.’

It was her turn to wrinkle her nose at him.  ‘I can get them to send you some fancy pants food, if you want.’

He waved his hand dismissively.  ‘I’ve got a pass to get in and out of the accommodation so I’m going to go investigate this city that has buildings older than the United States.  Take some photos for Mom and Dad.’

‘Get another gift for the Altean you loooooooove.’  She clutched her hands up to her cheek and batted her eyelashes at him.

‘If I see something, maybe.  Try not to think of me having fun while you’re rubbing elbows with dignitaries again.’  He grinned, closing the door quickly when she threw a pillow at him.

Now alone, she huffed out a sigh.  Time to get in a hot shower.

Notes:

Coming next! A right royal affair!

Chapter 49: A Right Royal Evening

Summary:

Nothing major, just socialising with royals!

Notes:

Another day, another moan! I have spent two days trying to secure some antibiotics for my poor infected tooth/gum, to no avail! The pain isn't so bad right now but it will typically get worse as time goes on and no doubt it will be awful because it's the weekend! If I can hold out until Tuesday when I have an actual appointment then all well and good! I am prepared with my pain meds, morphine, tapentadol, gum ointment, numbing spray, and if needs be I'm sure there might be some alcohol in the house lol I'm already not sleeping so this could be a picnic!

Anyway, still writing, up to chapter 66, and they are on Lance's home turf! Cuba! And he finally gets to go back to Varadero beach! I'm spoiling him!

Keith hated these things.  He had always tolerated them as a member of Voltron when liberating planets, but he had decided he would rather be drowned in a vat of nunvill than bow and kowtow at any more state events, let alone repeating the same stories, answering the same questions, and smiling until his face ached.  But, he was the leader of Voltron and would act accordingly.  Lance, on the other hand, seemed to be having the time of his life, a drink never out of his hand, his smile never leaving his face, and never without a crowd of well wishers crowding him.  That said, Keith noticed Lance’s eyes also never strayed far from his envoy, as though checking she were still there, always within a few steps, no matter who he entertained.  This was more than a crush, something more than a lustful obsession, and honestly weird to see, but Keith saw it as Lance maturing and wouldn’t mention it.  Knowing Lance he would do a full one-eighty if Keith mentioned it, so he kept it to himself, observing everything going on around him.  He watched Jameson, mostly because their envoy was never far from Pidge, who Keith’s eyes sought out as naturally as breathing, and every now and then Jameson looked back, when Keith would give him a small nod of acknowledgment or raise his glass just enough to make sure he knew he was watching him.  Keith was absolutely committed to showing Jameson up and if he wasn’t smart enough to realise that he and Pidge were now a couple then that was down to his own arrogance and Keith was happy to exploit that while low key getting to protect Pidge at the same time.

Liliana checked that Lance had enough drink before excusing herself with the professor she was talking to, one who had taught her years before, and heading out to the terrace for some fresh air.  The lawn was perfectly sculpted, elegant stripes leading to the Lions which were illuminated by spotlights, some partygoers taking the opportunity to have photographs taken before them.

‘I wondered where you snuck off to.’  Liliana turned to see Lance coming towards her, his hand still holding his drink, his cheeks lightly dusted with pink no doubt from the alcohol he had imbibed and the heat of the great hall.

She smiled.  ‘I just needed a moment to clear my head.  Do you need something?’

He shook his head, maybe a little too fast.  ‘I’m good, just…I missed you.’

Liliana laughed at what she assumed was a joke.  ‘I’m sure their company wasn’t that bad.’

‘Nah, they’re cool and all, but you’re better to hang out with.’  He reached out his free hand to lean on one of the many patio chairs and missed, barely catching himself before he hit the floor.  He cleared his throat as Liliana hid her laugh behind her hand, not wanting to damage his ego.

‘I appreciate the thought, but right now you have other, much more important people waiting to speak with you.  I can wait.’

‘You’re more important than them.’  He pouted.  ‘You know me better.  And you’re cute.’

Liliana faltered in the reply she had been forming to make him return, a blush starting at her neck trying to rush north rapidly, but she quickly put it out of her mind, as much as she could at least, and pressed her palm to his elbow.  ‘You’re cute too, Captain McClain, but right now you have around one hour left to impress these dignitaries and then you can call it a night.  Can you manage that?’

‘For you?’  He winked and threw her finger guns that sloshed his drink over his hand.  ‘Anything.’

‘Off you go then.’  She turned him and rested her hands on his shoulders, pointing him back towards the room and giving him a gentle nudge.  ‘I will be right behind you.’

‘Make sure you are.’  He admonished with his glass, but managed to walk a straight line back into the function hall while Liliana shook her head.

Pidge had found herself in a discussion with physics and math professors, both old and grey with their mouths hanging open as she described her work hacking into various Galra computer systems, often times while under literal fire.  She raised her hand to adjust her non-existent glasses as she came to the end of her spiel with a smug smile on her face.

‘But, you know, if you have a better idea of how I could have done that, I’m all ears.’

Both of them shook their heads, astounded by the sheer brilliance of the young woman before them, then made their excuses to leave.  Pidge huffed out a relieved breath.  The meal had been incredibly rich with more courses than she had expected, and she was glad she had paced herself, as being talked down to by some dumb old men who wouldn’t know a quintessence field from a bowl of couscous on an uncomfortably full stomach would have got real old real fast.  She was rapidly learning what shut them up in the shortest amount of time, and part of that included speaking quickly and not giving them a chance to interrupt, until their eyes were glazed over in utter confusion.  This was her third group tonight who had seemed to want to prove somehow that her genius was exaggerated and she was only too happy to oblige in setting them straight.

Gentle applause greeted her ears and she turned to find Jameson approaching her, a smirk on his face.  ‘Very nicely done, Captain Holt.  You sure can hold your own.’

‘Yeah, well, when no one else can do it, do it yourself.  It’s got me a long way.’  She sipped the lemonade in her glass, finding the ice had long since melted and was now luke warm.  She set it on the nearest table and dusted her hands unnecessarily.  ‘Are we nearly done here?’

Jameson checked his watch.  ‘It shouldn’t be too much longer.  Though it’s not quite midnight.  Worried you might turn into a pumpkin?’  He leaned towards her with a conspiratorial wink.

‘Nah, I’m just getting tech withdrawal.’  She stretched her arms above her head.  ‘And if memory serves we have an early start tomorrow, right?’

‘A private breakfast with the King and Queen, then speeches at a local military academy for inspirational purposes.’  Jameson confirmed.  ‘If you’re worried about sleeping in, I don’t mind waking you.’

She wrinkled her nose at him and his suggestive look.  ‘Thanks, but I have alarms for that.’

‘The offer stands.’  He shrugged, as though she were passing up some amazing opportunity.  ‘Shall we replenish our drinks?’

He went to take her by the elbow but she sidestepped it, walking backwards and putting distance between them as she did.  ‘Thanks, but if I keep drinking I’ll be up all night peeing.’

He winked at her and she knew she wasn’t going to like whatever was about to come out of his mouth.  ‘There are many better ways to keep you awake all night.’

‘And science is my favourite.’  She snapped louder than she meant to, before turning on her heel and wandering into the crowd, looking around for someone, anyone, and finding Liliana the nearest.  She made a beeline for her, passing Lance on the way, who offered her a vague wave and some mumbled words she couldn’t quite decipher, before reaching Liliana’s side.  ‘Hey.’

‘Pidge, can I help you with something?’  She smiled warmly.

‘Yeah, tell me we can leave?’  She asked hopefully, and Liliana laughed.

‘Not quite yet, but soon.  Protocol dictates we stay until the King leaves, which from previous records should be within the next hour.’

‘Ugh, I never wanted an emergency so much in my life.’  She groaned, her shoulders dropping at the thought of entertaining more old men with condescending smiles.

‘Talking to old geezers who think they know everything isn’t your cup of tea?’  She grinned.

‘The only old geezer I will tolerate trying to convince me he knows everything is Coran, and that’s because he’s now like a weird uncle who shows up at every family party that no one can figure out how we’re related to but he’s harmless really and has grown on us.’

Liliana laughed louder than she meant to and covered her mouth with her hand.  ‘Sorry.’

‘Don’t apologise.’  Pidge tapped Liliana’s arm down from her face.  ‘You have a great laugh, and Lance has noticed that.’

‘I don’t think…’  Liliana started, but Pidge waved her hand around to make her stop.

‘Seriously.  I don’t know if it goes against protocol, but you seem to get on really well and, honestly, Lance is a great guy.  If you feel something for him, go for it.’

Liliana sighed.  ‘Is it that obvious that I like him?’

‘Only if you have eyes and a brain.’  Pidge grinned.  ‘And he likes you too.  I can tell.’

‘How?’  She quirked her head to one side, suddenly very invested in her conversation with the youngest Paladin.

‘He’s not overtly flirty with you.  I mean he’s trying, but he’s failing.  When it’s just flirtation with Lance you know about it because you want to crawl inside a hole and die from the cringe.  With you he’s trying more subtly.  It’s kinda refreshing, actually.’

Liliana’s expression turned serious and she glanced around, making sure they weren’t going to be overheard.  ‘Are you really sure?  Because I certainly have feelings for him but I didn’t want to overstep or make things weird.’

‘Trust me, if anyone will make things weird it’ll be Lance without trying.’  Pidge snorted.  ‘But we all want to see each other happy, and you seem to make Lance that.  Go for it.’  She gave her a warm smile and Liliana felt as though she had been accepted into some special club, to get the approval of one of the Paladins.

‘Thank you, it really means a lot.  Even if nothing happens, I’m honoured to know you trust me that much.’

‘You seem pretty cool.’  Pidge punched her arm playfully.  ‘And it’s nice to have another girl around.  It was me and Allura for so long, and while she accepted me as I was I think there was always a part of her that wanted to dress me up like a doll to prove she could.  Then we got Romelle and Krolia but everything was so crazy we didn’t get to spend much down time together.  I’m glad I got to do this tour with you.’

‘I am too.’  She glanced to the side.  ‘Looks like Jameson is heading this way.’

‘Oh shit, really?’  Pidge stepped behind her, just barely shorter but still able to hide herself somewhat.

‘What is his deal, exactly?’  Liliana asked as casually as she could without trying to draw attention to the fact she was hiding a hero behind her back.  ‘Were you close back when you were in the Garrison training program?’

‘Nope, not even.  Barely interacted with him.  I don’t know what his obsession is with me now, but it’s creeping me out.’

‘If you want, I can distract him and you can escape?  Go find Keith?’

‘You’d do that?’  Pidge risked going on her toes and peeking over Liliana’s shoulder.

‘For all the advice you’ve offered me I owe you that at the very least.’

‘Then you’re on.’

‘On three?’

‘I’ll go right.’  Pidge nodded to herself towards where Keith was currently speaking with the King and Queen.

‘One.’

‘Two…’

‘Three.’  Liliana set off at a confident walk towards Jameson while Pidge darted behind pillars until she could slip out next to where Keith was having his conversation.

‘Here’s our resident genius now.’  He smiled warmly and held his hand out to her, drawing her into the small group.

‘Hi, again.’  Pidge nodded her head respectfully to the royal couple.  They had not been ruling long, and he was the youngest regent in some decades, which meant the conversation, while official, was a little less stuffy.  ‘Should my ears be burning?’

‘I was just telling their Highnesses about the string of bizarre happenings that led to us all meeting.’

‘Oh yeah, that was kind of crazy.’  Pidge ran her hand through her hair.  ‘A drop out, a runaway in disguise, a Cuban serial romancer, a flight engineer with no stomach for flying, and an alien abductee who crash landed back to Earth.’

‘Captain Kogane tells us you had no flight experience before becoming the pilot of the green lion?’  The queen asked in fascination.

‘Only emergency training on the flight simulator just in case something happened to my pilot.’  Pidge shrugged.  ‘But the link between Paladin and Lion goes beyond the physical.  As a scientist, it’s weird to say it, but it’s more along the lines of spiritual.’

‘Fascinating.’  The king nodded.  ‘I don’t suppose you would consider…giving us a spin?’

Keith and Pidge shared a look.  ‘I don’t see why not.’  He shrugged and she nodded.

‘So long as we aren’t going to get arrested on our return for high treason or kidnapping or something?’  Pidge checked.

‘I promise no repercussions.’  The king waved over his head of security, who was never far from his side.  ‘We are going on a joyride with the Paladins.  Try not to worry.’

Notes:

Coming next! OMG I can't wait for you to read the next one! I'm not even going to say what happens! It's the end of the night! That's all I'm saying!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Chapter 50: A Different Kind Of Goodnight Kiss

Summary:

Jameson is in trouble, Keith is in trouble, Pidge is unhappy.

Notes:

Heeeeeey all! Still toothachey, nothing new there! But, I am sooooo excited to be sharing this chapter finally!

Just, read it! Discuss it with me after! Anything, just, I love this so much! And I created a new word that I LOVE SO MUCH!!!

They were only gone half an hour but the security detail did, indeed, worry.  Not enough to send the RAF after them, but enough that they stood on the lawn of the university waiting for their return.  Keith had taken both royals, Pidge flying as a guard, on the lookout for anything that could be construed a threat while Keith explained as much about his Lion as he could in laymen’s terms.  Pidge would occasionally drop in on the comms to explain a particularly technical subject that Keith himself had either not grasped or simply didn’t remember, not that that actually helped, as her technobabble managed to make all three of them share puzzled looks.  On return to the university the king and queen finally departed for the night and everything wound down.  The Paladins and envoys met at the bottom of the stairs, ready to retire to their rooms.

‘I think that went fairly well.’  Liliana looked between the group, Lance all but leaning on her as he fought sleep.  ‘Even if it did at one point look like the King and Queen had been abducted.’

‘I swear it was their idea.’  Keith held his hands up in a gesture of surrender.  ‘Their security were aware and everything.’

‘I’m teasing.’  She assured him, as Lance’s head nodded onto her shoulder.  ‘Come on, Captain, wake up enough to get to your room.’  She shook him slightly and with a sudden inhale he stood bolt upright.

‘I’m awake.’  He promised, his eyes drooping heavily.

‘Could I trust you to see him to his room?’  Liliana looked to Keith imploringly.

‘Leave it to me.’  He nodded before turning his attention to Pidge.  ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’

‘Obviously.’  She smiled, but it slipped into surprise when he took her hand and pulled her towards him, cupping her cheek in his hand and giving her a searing kiss that had her toes curl in her boots and her fingers grasping at nothing as she whimpered.  Keith was sure Jameson was watching and he hoped this would prove to the man that Pidge had already made her choice, but what he hadn’t been expecting was Jameson to think this was all part of their competition.

The second Keith’s lips left hers, Pidge found her arm grabbed and herself being dragged towards Jameson.  She was too stunned to do anything as he dipped her like some movie heroine but her clarity came back like being doused in cold water as his lips suddenly approached hers.

There was a; ‘WHAT THE QUIZNAK?!’; a TTTZZAAAPPPPPTTT; and Pidge fell to the floor on her back as Jameson jolted from the shock her bayard had delivered to his neck, appearing in her hand at her panic and automatically ramming into him.  Finally, his shaking body collapsed into a heap as she lay there panting, everyone else seemingly frozen for a moment before responding.

‘Are you alright?’  Keith was on his knee beside Pidge, helping her sit up, while Lance, who seemed to have sobered up rather rapidly, poked at Jameson with his toe, the latter’s limbs still occasionally flailing from the electrical current that had run through him.

‘I think he peed himself.’  Lance remarked at the growing damp patch on Jameson’s dress pants.

Liliana looked between them all, Pidge rubbing her sore back as she sat up with Keith’s help, Lance seemingly fascinated by Jameson’s unconscious form.  ‘What on earth just happened?’

‘I think that was my fault.’  Keith sighed, and Pidge turned to look at him, eyes steely.

‘What do you mean, your fault?’

Keith had the decency to look embarrassed.  ‘I mean I might have provoked Jameson into a may the best man win bet on the flight over.’

‘With me as the prize?’  She pulled out of his grip and got to her feet.

‘It was a sucker bet.’  He explained, stepping closer to her, only to have her move away.  ‘If I won, which I knew I would, he would leave you the hell alone and go back to the Garrison.’

Pidge shook her head.  ‘That wasn’t your decision to make, Keith!’  She marched around Jameson’s prone form and behind Liliana, running up the stairs two at a time and out of sight, leaving Keith to sigh and realise he had screwed up.

‘So, mullet,’ Lance finally looked up from Jameson to his teammate, ‘why was Jameson’s face red when we disembarked earlier?’

‘I might have hit him.’  Keith rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.  ‘But only because he was talking about making a woman out of Pidge and being generally derogatory about her!’

‘Okay, he deserved that,’ Lance conceded, ‘but you gotta give me a hand getting him into his room, because I’m not touching this piss stained douche canoe alone when I’m not responsible for the state of it.’

‘Shouldn’t we get him checked out medically?’  Liliana asked anxiously, not knowing whether she should take care of matters here or go after Pidge.

‘He’ll be fine.’  Lance waved his hand dismissively.  ‘I’ve been shocked by Pidge’s bayard and he’ll regain consciousness soon enough.’

‘I’ll help you then go fix things up with Pidge.’  Keith looked towards the stairs where her presence still felt like a ghost to him, disappearing from existence as though he had caused it with his own stupid actions.

‘I don’t think she’s going to let you in the room, man.’  Lance shook his head as he pulled one of Jameson’s arms over his shoulder.  ‘But you’re welcome to try.’

‘I will.’  Keith promised.  ‘And I’ll get her to let me in, one way or another.’

Notes:

FUCK YES, HE DESERVED IT!

TTTZZAAAPPPPPTTT!!!!

BEST WORD EVER!

AND HOW FUNNY WAS LANCE?!

Coming Next! Keith tries to difuse the problem he caused with Pidge!

Chapter 51: Late Night Apologies

Summary:

Keith sucks up to Pidge.

Notes:

Uggghhhh I cannot wait to share this story! I am so excited! I have some real goodies coming up for you and I could just squeal in a way that is highly inappropriate for a woman of my age!!! I just wrote Lance and Liliana's first kiss!!! EEEEEEEEE!!!!!! You have a while to wait for it, but I chose the perfect location for Lance and the situation is just ugghhhhh so cute! It's nice to know I do still believe in love, even if it is fictional, because I have given up on myself ever finding anyone again because no one will ever live up to my own imagination and a plethora of fictional characters!!!!

Pidge had angrily thrown her uniform in a heap on a chair before throwing open the window to let in the cool night air and, finally, throwing herself onto the bed in her vest and underwear.  She was shaking with anger, that Keith had all but set her up, even accidentally, and created a butterfly effect that left Jameson unconscious in a puddle of his own urine and her mind buzzing at the entire event.  She curled up on her side, hugging a pillow against her body and growling into it, burying her entire face in its fluffy depths, which was why she didn’t realise she was no longer alone.

‘Knock knock.’

Her head shot up to find Keith crouched in her window, his uniform jacket gone, Black close behind him having obviously given him the boost he needed to reach her.

‘Get out of here, Keith, or I’ll defenestrate you and damn the consequences!’  She leaned up and drew her arm back, holding the pillow to make her point.

‘Just hear me out, okay, then I promise you can…defenestrate me?  Whatever that is?  To your heart’s content, if you still want to, that is.’

‘It literally means throw you out of a window.’  She laid back down and hugged the pillow again.  ‘You have two minutes.’

‘I’m sorry.  I should have told you what happened, and I shouldn’t have made the bet with Jameson in the first place.  But he was seriously disrespecting you and this was an easy way to get him off your case and back to the garrison.’  He came and sat on the side of the bed behind her, not wanting to reach out just yet, not until he knew she had heard him out.

‘You undermined me, Keith.’  She said, her emotions coming out in her voice.  ‘You took away the choice that was mine to make, we all agreed to let this last chance be my decision, and you removed me from the equation, you excluded me when it wasn’t your place!’

‘And I shouldn’t have.  We should have agreed to this together, conspired even, and I’m sorry I went about it the wrong way.’

They stayed in silence for a moment, the only noise that of the final partygoers murmuring in the distance as they left for the night, and distant tyres on gravel.  Finally, it was Pidge that spoke.

‘What did he say?  To disrespect me?’

‘That he’d make a woman out of you.’  Keith felt angry just having to repeat it, especially to her.  He had wanted to protect her, not upset her, but as Jameson had grabbed her he realised he had failed at both and she saved herself, which was what he should have let her do in the first place.  ‘That it was your choice and that he was going to be the one you chose.’

‘And when you kissed me goodnight he thought it was his opportunity to take his turn to try and be the victor.’  She confirmed her understanding.

‘In my defence I wasn’t expecting him to try and make a deal after I punched him.’

She blinked a few times before replying.  ‘You…punched him?’

‘Yeah!  I was defending your honour!’

She sighed and rolled over onto her other side to face him.  ‘And how’s that hormone laced machismo crap working out for you?’

‘Absolutely terribly.’  He admitted with a small smile.  ‘I didn’t mean to deliberately provoke him downstairs, I just wanted to kiss you goodnight.  I hardly saw you today…I missed you.’

Pidge pouted and wrinkled her nose.  She was still mad about what had happened, but he was so damn difficult to stay angry with.  ‘I missed you too.  I didn’t need Jameson trying to kiss me, but I did miss you.  And I guess I’m grateful you tried to defend my honour, even though I didn’t need it or approve of it.  And it was kind of satisfying to zap him, even if I did have to bruise my back and almost get kissed by him to do so.’

‘Truce?’  Keith held his hand out to her and she took it in her own, shaking it once before pulling him down onto the bed beside her.

‘Truce.  But part of your punishment is to hug me right now.’

He gave a small laugh and bundled her into his arms, holding her close as she nuzzled against his chest.  ‘And what’s the rest of my punishment?’  He asked with his lips against her hair.

‘In the morning you have to call Space Dad and tell him what you did.’

She felt Keith swallow, her eyes closed as she felt the tension of minutes ago seeping away.  ‘Can I convince you to punish me some other way?’

‘I’m still thinking of other things, but those two stand.  Space Dad in the morning, or no hugs now.’

‘I thought hugs was a punishment?’

‘Don’t ruin my hugs for me!’  She dug him in the ribs, making him flinch.

‘Okay, all the hugs for you with no arguing.’

‘Better.’  She settled back down again and soon Keith felt her breathing settle into a steady, deep rhythm.  He would just hug her for a few more minutes, let himself indulge before going back to his room.  But like the best laid plans, this one just didn’t pan out.

Notes:

Coming up! Waking up together embarrassment; Pidge shows off her new invention; Matt has bad timing, but not as bad as Liliana!

Chapter 52: Morning Would If It Could

Summary:

Pidge gets to show off to Keith.

Notes:

Happy Sunday all! It's 830pm here, I have neglected this fic entirely today to take a bit of a break, did all our usual weekly meal prep, took a nap as my chronic fatigue is high at the mo, during the day at least, and I played some Fantasy Life on my Switch! Mostly because I'm an obsessive completionist on video games and wanted to get a certain bit done! Anyway, now it's this late my brain wants to read back what I wrote yesterday so hey, maybe I'll be up writing until 11pm again! It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't awake by 5am every day!! lol! Sleep is for the weak, or the dead, or whatever! Enjoy!

Waking up with Keith made Pidge realise she had missed waking up with Keith.  Her alarm was set for too bright and too early, which made them both stir at the same time, Pidge trying to burrow under the covers they hadn’t used, while Keith leant all the way over her to turn off her phone alarm.

‘There’s gotta be some law against staying up late and then having to get up early the next morning.’  He groaned before dropping onto his back, throwing the arm Pidge wasn’t laying on across his eyes against the bright morning sun streaming in through the windows.

‘I don’t think protocol cares about our sleep schedules.’  Pidge grumbled before nuzzling into Keith again, fully intent on ignoring everything but the desire to sleep that pulled at the corners of her brain.

‘No going back to sleep, we promised their majesties, or whatever we’re meant to call them, that we would be there bright and early and you would show them the schematics behind the new technologies you’ve been adding to Green.’

‘Ugh, that was a stupid idea.’  She groaned, but it did remind her she hadn’t had the chance to talk to him about her new idea for their armour.  ‘Oh, but I did want to show you something.’  She started getting up but Keith pulled her back into his arms and kissed her softly.

‘Good morning.’  He said, his voice suddenly feeling so gruff and intimate in such close confines it surprised her.

‘Morning.’  She smiled back.  ‘We do have to get up, so I can show you my something I’ve been working on in my spare time.’

‘Science is your wake up call, I guess.’  He sighed.

‘Think of it as more punishment.’  She kissed him quickly before throwing him a cheeky grin as she scrambled off the bed.  Which was when she realised she was barely wearing anything.  She sort of froze at the end of the bed, her back to Keith, realising she had half a wedgie going on and her vest had ridden up so high she may as well have been wearing a crop top.  Was there an elegant way of doing this, or at least a non embarrassing one?  She was coming up blank.

Keith seemed to realise something was wrong as she stood stock still in front of him as he tucked his hand behind his head.  His eyes looked her over once, twice, and then realised what his body was trying to tell him.  She was barely dressed.  He bit his lip at how cute the prospect was that she had slept with him all night like that but now she was standing in the open she was somehow embarrassed, but he didn’t want to prolong it for her and was prepared to give her an out.

‘Hey, while you set up whatever it is, is it okay if I just use your bathroom?’  He got off the bed and headed towards it without waiting for her reply, and by the time she had sputtered that was fine he was already closing the door.

She let out a huff of a sigh and quickly straightened her clothes before digging through her holdall for some shorts, which she threw on rapidly, before booting up her computer and connecting it to her armoured glove, the only piece of armour she had brought into the room with her.  ‘Okay, you gotta work this time, because I’m trying to show off here.’  She muttered under her breath as she ran the program she had been writing, hoping it would pay off.  She looked down and saw the result she wanted.  Silently cheering herself on, she dismissed it again and decided to make coffee for them both with the in room facilities while she waited.  She was just pouring into their cups when Keith came back out of the bathroom.

‘Jeez, you’re a keeper.’  He commented as she passed him his coffee before adding all the provided sugar packets to her own, and a couple of extra creamers for good measure.

‘Of course I am, I’m awesome.’  She said smugly before returning to her laptop.  ‘So, check this out.’

Keith stood behind her chair and watched her initiate a program he had never seen before.  She tapped the table by her gauntlet to get his attention, and he watched in astonishment as the white surface turned to grey, then black, then completely transparent.  ‘What the hell?’  He muttered as he put down his cup and touched the gauntlet, finding it remained solid under his fingers.

‘Stealth mode, bitch!’  Pidge did a happy little dance in her chair before turning to look at him.  ‘Well, what do you think?  I can implement it on everyone’s suits once I get the interface finished.  I can’t believe I never thought of it before.  We run around in bright white quiznaking outfits that are like targets!  This way we can blend in a little more.’

‘You’re making us invisible?’  He looked at her in disbelief.

‘Not invisible, stealthy.  It uses sensors and reflectors to transpose the surfaces around us.  It’s the white of the armour that will blend in, not the whole of us, so faces still visible, black under armour will show against lighter surfaces etcetera, but it will make being shot at a whole lot less hair raising, with us being a disguised target.’  She raised her hand to adjust her glasses once more but Keith caught it and crouched beside her, bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss.

‘You’re incredible, you know that?’

‘I mean, I’m the smartest person you know, so yeah.’  She grinned at him.  ‘But this is a good plan, right?  We can utilise this?’

‘You know it is.’

‘Late nights for the win!’  She launched herself into his arms, putting him off balance and onto his back, and she had no choice but to follow him down, finding herself pressed against his chest with her groin nestled snuggly against his.  His hand caressed her cheek and she closed her eyes, nuzzling against his palm before it slid into her hair and drew her closer, their lips a hairsbreadth away, when there were two sharp knocks on the door, making them freeze.

‘Pidge, are you awake?’

‘I’m up, Liliana.’  She called back before opening her eyes to look down at him.  ‘Rain check on the celebration?  So we can get ourselves fixed up for the day and you can tell Shiro that Jameson is going home?’

‘That last part is your decision.’  He assured her.  ‘Like it should have been.’

‘He’s going home.  He tried to kiss me and I don’t care the reason, that’s not okay.’  She rocked back onto her heels between his legs.  ‘And if he needs telling then I’ll do it.  It’ll be my pleasure to tell him to call Iverson and get his marching orders.’

Keith sat up and rubbed his thumb over her cheek before using it to draw her into a soft kiss.  ‘I’ll go back to my room, shower, and call Shiro.  He can get the ball rolling.’

‘Oh, wait.  It’s stupid o’clock in the morning where they are.  You’ll have to wait until after we go to the military academy thing.’

‘Then what do we do with Jameson until then?’

‘Assuming he’s conscious, we could try and avoid him, or I can tell him what’s going to happen after last night’s stunt.  With you for back up, obviously.  Then he can argue it all he likes but we’ll be leaving without him, whether he likes it or not.’

‘I like that plan.  Want me to come get you when I’m done?’

She shook her head.  ‘It’s okay, just shoot me a message when you’re ready and we’ll coordinate from there.’

He got to his feet and pulled her with him.  ‘I’ll see you soon.’

‘Not soon enough.’  She smirked, pushing up and giving him a quick kiss.

He picked up his cup and threw her a wink before heading to the door, and all she heard as it closed was the teasing words of one Matthew Holt.

‘Watcha doing leaving my baby sister’s room at this time of the morning, Kogane?’

Notes:

Next up!!! A little more Holt sib bantz!

Chapter 53: Holt Sibs FTW

Summary:

Just a lil more Holt sib bonding!

Notes:

Hey all! So I miiiigghhhttt have stayed up until 1140pm last night writing this fic! And my alarm goes off at 5am. and my body tried to wake me up at 410am, but I feel kind of chipper!

I can't remember if I posted the toilet saga, but I have a special wet/dry toilet that is a speciality disabled device, basically washes and dries your bum when you're done, which was here when we moved in, and it has proved invaulable with my issues lol but it's got a leak. so last monday a plumber came out, wrong type of toilet, they sent the specialist guy out, wrong sort of leak, today original plumber came out, found leak referred it back again to the specialist people because the toilet is getting on a bit and needs probably a full overhaul and they can't get to the leak (it's a waste leak so ew...it's leaking onto my bathroom floor which also needs replacing cos the shower drain disintigrated!) so now I'm waiting for the specialist guy AGAIN and honestly, at this point as long as it flushes I don't care, just decide if you're fixing it, replacing it, or ripping out the whold damn bathroom, just don't leave me without a toilet like the christmas catasrophe of 2023!!

Just like to amuse you all with my shitty (get it) luck, and keep this as a record for myself too!

Pidge had had to virtually beat Matt off with a stick to get him to leave her in peace to shower and dress.  Once she was done with the basics she called him over and explained what he had missed the night before, and that nothing untoward had happened between her and Keith, she didn’t add yet because that might just set Matt off in one way or another.  She showed him her stealth suit program and he scrolled through her code in amazement while she finished off her hair and added a touch of makeup to make herself what Allura had assured her was presentable.

‘Well?’  Pidge turned to show Matt her outfit and it was a moment before he could drag his eyes away from the screen, and when he did he was suitably impressed.

‘Very grown up, very smart.’  He nodded, looking over her green pants suit and black tank top.  ‘I do not envy you going for another meal with the royal family.  That’s got to be a lot of pressure.’

‘Well, get used to it, if I’m sending Jameson home today as planned then you get to step into his shoes, so to speak.  You might want to go shopping for a suit or something while we’re busy today.  Gotta look the part, poindexter.’

‘Yeah, okay, nerd girl, I’ll see what I can do.’  He turned back to the computer.  ‘When the heck did you have time to come up with this?’

‘I had a spare five minutes.’  She shrugged.

‘And that’s why you’re awesome.’  He got out of his seat and picked her up in a tight hug.

‘Don’t wrinkle the merch!’  She laughed, pushing at his shoulders until he put her down, and she straightened her jacket again.  ‘And I got the idea when I was tinkering with the stealth mode on Green before we left.  I was hoping I could get it to work on the other Lions, but we all know Green is the most adaptable, and I figured maybe a smaller scale would work.’

‘It’s an awesome idea.’  He agreed.  ‘Mind if I go through it some more while you’re out rubbing elbows with the bigwigs?’

‘Go buy your suit and I’ll grant you access to whatever you want.  Just don’t fuck with the code because I just got it to work.’

‘I won’t touch a thing.’  He promised.

‘Oh, wait.’  She paused mid tapping her message to Keith that she was ready.  ‘I need to take it with me to show the royals some stuff.  I forgot.  How about when I get back later?’

‘We could have an old fashioned Holt geek out tonight, if you can tear yourself away from Keith that is.’

‘I can show you my tech from his lap.’  She grinned and Matt pulled a face.

‘No one, and I mean no one, in their right mind at least, wants to third wheel with their little sister and her new boyfriend while they are still in the suck face stage.’

‘Ew, you’re making this weird!’  She slapped his arm before disconnecting her laptop and putting it in its bag.  ‘But yeah, you, me, some tech and some snacks sounds good.’

‘It does.’  He smiled at her.  ‘Any more luck with the results from the Altean?’

She shook her head.  ‘I haven’t had time to sit and look at the data since Italy.’

‘But you managed to find time to configure a stealth suit algorithm?’

‘I told you, that only took five minutes.’  She pulled him out of the chair and towards the door.  ‘Now go get yourself a suit and you can be my big envoy brother.’

‘Aye aye, Captain.’  He saluted dramatically.

‘You are such a dork.’  She ensured the room was locked and headed towards the stairs, knowing Keith would be there momentarily if not already.

Notes:

What's next? Who knows! Lemme check...

A lil Lilance, if you squint really hard, Kidge impress the royal couple, and BEEEEEP BEEEP BEEEEEEEEP EMERGENCY!

Chapter 54: An Alarming Breakfast

Summary:

Breakfast with the royal family gets rudely interrupted.

Notes:

Evening all! I just spent the last two hours going through my document and this fic adding titles to each chapter! I've been thinking about it for a few days and just decided now was a good time to do so! Let me know what you think of them!

Breakfast was a civilised affair; the king and queen were fascinated if a little bamboozled by Pidge’s technobabble, and Lance found himself kept busy by the couple’s young twin sons who wanted to show him the articulated toy Lions that clicked together into a very close scale model of Voltron itself.  Liliana marvelled at him seated on an antique rug at the royal Norfolk residence, looking like playing with kids for him was the most natural thing in the world.  It made sense, she knew he came from a big family with various young cousins, but it was such a change from what she already knew of him that it was refreshing  and, she admitted to herself, set off some sort of instinct in her that he would one day make a wonderful father.  The thought made her cheeks flush and she busied herself with her briefcase as a distraction.  She and Lance were currently colleagues, perhaps friends, and she tried not to get her hopes up that they could be more, but she couldn’t help herself.  She was drawn to him in a way she didn’t remember ever being to anyone before and it felt special, he made her feel special.  It would be a lie if she said the thought of him kissing her hadn’t crossed her mind, as had the thought of holding his hand, holding him close, but she had to remain professional, at least until this tour was over.  But then she ran the risk that they may part ways without anything happening, and as shy as she might be she didn’t want to miss what could be an amazing opportunity.  No, she had to be brave, had to at least imply that she liked him as more than a friend.  If she missed this opportunity she knew she would regret it for the rest of her life.  Lance McClain had, with no ifs, ands, buts, or maybes, wormed his way into her heart so deeply in such a short space of time that she was suddenly a firm believer in love at first sight.

Lance glanced up and realised it was Liliana’s eyes he could feel in him.  He smiled and threw her a small wink before beckoning her over.

She was immediately on her feet and beside him, her knees slightly bent with her hands on her skirt, bringing her closer to his level without getting onto the floor.  ‘Can I help you with something, Captain?’  She asked formally.

‘Yeah,’ he grabbed her hand and pulled her down beside him.  ‘Come play with me and the kids.  I’ll even let you fly Red or Blue.  Your choice.’  He offered her each Lion.

‘I couldn’t possibly take Red away from his pilot, but I’m sure Blue will take good care of me.’  She settled herself to kneel beside him and looked at the twins who were taking apart the rest of Voltron.

‘You saw last night the manoeuvrability of the Lions,’ Keith was explaining as Pidge ran some of their footage from the late castleship they had used in training, ‘but each has its own pros and cons, which is what brings us together so well as a team.  We too have different strengths and weaknesses, and the Lions reflect that.’

‘It’s amazing this technology is over ten thousand years old.’  The king shook his head, opening his mouth to continue speaking, but each of the Paladins alarms began to chime loudly.

It was Pidge who brought the details up, her wrist computer being the most comprehensive and easiest to access.  ‘What’s up, Shiro?’  She asked as the call flickered to life above her arm.  There was no ignoring the worried look on his face, the concern pinching the corners of his eyes, and it made her heart rate increase.

‘We just got an emergency call from the Garrison.  A downed Galra pod has ruptured in the ocean off the west coast of Ireland.  Reports of drones crawling out of the water and heading towards civilisation.  You guys are the nearest, though Garrison troops are being scrambled across the UK too.  Fancy a ride out to put them down?’

‘Already on the way.’  Keith said over her shoulder as he pulled her to her feet.  ‘Lance, we gotta move!’

‘What will your ETA be?’

‘We came here by helicopter, but we’re not far from the Lions.  They can be here in…’

‘Seven minutes.’  Lance confirmed.  ‘They already left.’

‘We’ll call you back once we depart.’  Keith confirmed, allowing Pidge to cut the call.  ‘Sorry to cut this short!’  He called back.

‘I’ll come back for you!’  Lance pointed directly at Liliana with a smile that flustered her, and they were out the door and gone before anyone could even comment.

Notes:

Coming up! Fighting back the Galra drones!

Chapter 55: Explaining Away Jameson

Summary:

On the way to the emergency, the three paladins explain what happened with Jameson to Shiro and Sam. It goes down about as well as can be expected!

Notes:

Hey hey all! Another day, another chapter, maybe even another one later because, well, the toilet issue still isn't fixed, it's constantly leaking water, and I'm now on a 24 hour emergency call out list so I might be up all night! Also I've finally been to the damn dentist, after telling them I needed more antibiotics last thursday, only to be told today I need more antibiotics! And don't start me on trying to get my car collected/courtesy car sorted for next week! It's a good thing I'm an optimist because I think otherwise I might be crying already!

On a much happier note, did anyone notice I started naming the chapters? I spent two hours doing it in the run up to bedtime last night, and I think I'm pretty happy with how they came out!

The Lions were coming in to land by the time they reached the manicured lawns and Pidge hoped they wouldn’t return to an angry groundskeeper.  They set their coordinates and were off, quickly changing into their armour, which was when Pidge realised she had failed to pick up her gauntlet when leaving her room.

‘Aw, I forgot my glove.’  She grumbled as she took her seat, Green sliding it into the perfect position for her automatically.

‘You’re missing a glove?’  Lance asked as the Lions settled into formation.

‘Yeah, she’s been working on something with the armour, but it’s up to her if she’s ready to tell you.  You know she doesn’t like to share until she’s perfected her work.’

‘Aw, why am I left out of the loop?  C’mon, tell me!’  Lance whined, making Pidge laugh.

‘Get Shiro on the comms and I’ll tell all of you, patch Allura and Hunk in too as it involves them.’

‘Just tell them after.’  Lance continued.  ‘You can tell me now and just tell everyone else later.’

She sighed exaggeratedly.  ‘ Okay, gee, you’re needy.  I’ve just been working on some stealth technology for the suits.  It will help us be less of a target when fighting in person.’

‘Stealth suits?  Nice!’  She could hear Lance grinning through the comms.  ‘How long before we can expect to see this implemented?’

‘If I ever get five minutes alone with our armour, less than a day, if I can get Hunk to help.’

‘Surely we can fit in a meet up at some point during this world tour?  And you a day away from official meet and greets?’

‘What are we getting Pidge a day off for?’  Shiro’s voice joined them.

‘Well, now you gotta tell him too.’  Lance remarked.

‘Just some tech I’ve been working on for our armour.  We’ve lasted this long without it, it can wait a few more days.’

‘And what does this tech do?’  Shiro asked as he patched through video footage of the drones for them all to see what they were dealing with.  ‘This is live, by the way.’

‘It’s stealth tech, will make us less of a target in a firefight.  Easier to sneak around places without standing out like sore thumbs.’

‘That’s…amazing, Katie.’

‘Hey, Dad.’  Pidge easily recognised Sam’s voice.’  ‘Just something I came up with on the fly.’

‘You do your best work on the fly.’  Shiro smiled.  ‘We can discuss this later though.  What’s your ETA?’

‘Eight minutes, give or take.’  Keith replied.  ‘What will be the ETA if we need Blue and Yellow here?’

‘If you need them and can hold them off, maybe twenty five minutes.’

‘We can cope with that.’  He assured him.  ‘Just how early is it there, by the way?’

‘Just after oh-three-hundred.’  He confirmed.  ‘Sam and I are ranking officers so we got the call.  We’ve raised Allura and informed Hunk.  It’s eighteen hundred for him so he’s primed and ready, if you need him.’

‘Roger that.’

‘And let’s hold a group video call later, you can tell us all about the new tech.’

‘Oh and Keith has something to tell you too.’

‘That can wait until after this mission.’  He replied to Pidge’s interjection.

‘Can it though?’  She grinned to herself.

He rolled his eyes, knowing there was no getting away with it now she had mentioned it.  ‘Fine.  Last night I accidentally caused a bit of a situation and Jameson needs sending back to the Garrison and reprimanding as a result.’

‘What happened?’

‘What did he do?’  Shiro and Sam spoke almost at the same time.

‘Oh he was not smart.  Nor was Keith.’  Lance joined in.

‘Just tell us.’

‘It’s a long story that I will tell you all of later, but for now let’s just say he…’

‘He tried to kiss Pidge so she electrocuted him so much he wet his pants.’  Lance said rapidly.

‘Oh my God.’  Shiro facepalmed while Sam leant against the desk as though it would allow him to check on his daughter.

‘Where is he now, and the answer had better be a Garrison holding cell.’

‘We kind of dumped him in his room because he was unconscious.  He doesn’t know anything about the reprimand or being sent home.’  Keith admitted.  He should have thought this through more as leader of Voltron.  One of his team had almost been violated and the right thing to do would have been to send Jameson to a Garrison hospital until he regained consciousness and could be transported back to headquarters under guard.  ‘That’s on me.’

‘No argument here.’  Lance remarked, but Sam ignored him.

‘Katie, are you okay?’

‘I’m fine.  I was kind of shook up at the time because my first reaction after my bayard appeared in my hand was to electrocute the quiznak out of him which made him drop me on the floor, but he deserved it, regardless of how we ended up in that situation.’

‘There is no situation where that’s okay.  We will definitely set up a call later for us all to fill one another in.’

‘And can someone apologise to the military academy for our absence?  I don’t think we’re going to make it.’  Keith added.  ‘We’re about two minutes until we get visual.’

‘Concentrate on that, we’ll take care of your duties.’  Shiro assured him.  ‘So long as everyone is okay after whatever happened last night we will revisit it later.’

‘I actually have a Holt geek out planned tonight with Matt so it might be a good time to let both him and Liliana talk over duties too.’  Pidge interjected, knowing this conversation was about to end, possibly abruptly.

‘I’ll talk to him, see if he has some suitable attire too.’

‘I told him to go buy a suit.’

Sam laughed.  ‘Sometimes, Katie, you are so much like your mother it scares me.’

Pidge smiled to herself, knowing how formidable Colleen could be.  ‘I take that as a compliment.’

‘Holy shit.’  Keith breathed and the line went quiet for a moment, especially from the three Paladins as their target location came into sight.

‘What is it?’  Shiro asked, his voice desperate, no trace of the lighthearted tone from moments ago.

‘There’s thousands of them.  It looks like someone lit a firecracker in a termite mound.’

Notes:

Next up! Fighting the Galra hoards!

Chapter 56: Creatures From The Deep

Summary:

The fight with the Galra drones continues.

Notes:

Wellllll, it's 1030pm, I am normally chilling out getting ready to sleep by now, but not tonight! Nooooo! I have to wait for a 24 hour emergency plumber for the leaking toilet! As it's a council owned place I rent I have to stay awake, or at least on edge, all night waiting! They will be here before 430pm tomorrow! Yeahhhhhhhh. I am not best pleased. So I'm writing, and I'm posting, and I'm going to doze in and out when I need to! Wish me luck! Tomorrow I will be a zombie!

‘Split up!’  Keith yelled, pulling on his controls to allow Black’s mouth laser to rase a path through the drones, but they quickly filled the gap again, metal flashing in the early morning light as more crawled from the sea like something from a horror film.

Pidge pulled left, Lance right, each firing into the crowds until smoke filled the air, the Lions pulling back to allow it to clear so they could see what remained.

‘How many do you think we got?’  She asked quietly, the smoke slowly beginning to roll out over the ocean.

‘Not enough.’  Keith replied as he caught the first glimpse of the ground, the gaps they had created being filled as more drones replaced them by the minute.  ‘Make another pass!’

This time they did so in a line, clearing a swathe of drones, finally seeing some progress, but there was still more than they could deal with over an enormous area.

‘We’re gonna need that back up!’  Lance yelled as he fired more beams of plasma, causing so many small explosions.

‘Noted.’  Shiro’s voice resounded in their ears.

‘A pod couldn’t hold this many drones.’  Pidge spoke over the blaster fire they were under, though the guns were small there were enough to rattle the crafts.  ‘Where did we get the intelligence that it’s a pod?’

‘I’ll check.’  Sam’s voice this time, and they could hear Shiro in the background speaking to they assumed Allura and Hunk.

‘Green, let’s take out a bunch of them.’  Pidge thought about her plan, her Lion picking up on her thoughts and taking a tight turn in the sky.

Keith glanced to his side to see Green dive at the ground, only pulling up enough to turn into a skid that allowed Green to wipe out a two mile length the width of her fuselage, then push off the ground once more.

‘What the hell was that?’  Keith yelled, his heart in his mouth.

‘I don’t know, it kinda worked though!’

‘Don’t do it again!  We need you in the air, not grounded!’

‘Yes, sir.’  She grumbled, not knowing what she had done wrong to get herself yelled at.

‘The existence of a pod is speculatory.’  Sam came back to them.  ‘It was an assumption from first reports given the fact it was the Galra’s ground troops.’

‘Pidge, see if you can get in close enough to see what it is, we’ll hold the fort out here.’

‘Got it.’  She angled Green out to sea, activating the cloaking device as she mapped the ocean floor, looking for somewhere deep enough for her to enter safely.  ‘Let’s see what you’re hiding.’  She murmured, diving down and slicing through the surface of the water easily.  She took stock of her surroundings, letting her sensors aid her in the gloomy depths.  Something showed up to her left and she followed the scan carefully until she could see faint lights ahead of her.  Hundreds of them.  ‘I think it’s a battle cruiser, or a large part of one.’  She said quietly.  ‘Give me another minute.’  She found the stream of drones filing from the bulkhead and realised there was no damage, the bay doors had been opened, allowing them exit.  ‘This was deliberate, not a breach.’

‘Something or someone released them?’  Lance asked in disbelief.  ‘You think it could be timed?  Because surely no one could just be chilling down there on part of a battle cruiser for how long?’

‘Long enough.’  Keith replied.  ‘We’ll keep things to a minimum up here until Hunk and Allura arrive then I’ll join you and we can try and cut them off at the source.’

‘We’re gonna have to.’  She scanned the constant stream of drones.  ‘They’re still coming out of the damn thing.  This was an invasion force.’

‘We knew that was what they were trying to do, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear.’  Keith replied.

‘Do you want me to try and close the doors with Green?  Or pick off some of the drones?’

‘Negative, don’t draw any attention to yourself until I get down there.’

Pidge pulled a face.  ‘If you insist, but I feel kind of useless just sitting here.’

‘Then see if you can find us a discreet way in.’

‘Discreet I can do.  Could do it easier if I had the new tech up and running…wait…’  she turned to her laptop bag, sitting innocuously against the console.  ‘I have something I can be doing until you get here.  Leave this to me.’

The comms clicked suddenly.  ‘The cavalry is on its way!’  Hunk’s voice reached them all, each of them unable to help the smile on their lips.

‘We missed you , big guy.’  Keith welcomed him.  ‘ETA?’

‘Eleven minutes.  What do we have?’

Allura joined them moments later, seven minutes out, and Keith explained the conversation while he and Lance kept the drones away from the civilian population, stopping the front lines from progressing.  Meanwhile, Pidge had her scanners working overtime, keeping an eye on things while she plugged her laptop into her wrist computer.

‘Come on, baby, work for me.’  She mumbled to herself, hitting keys rapidly.  ‘I need you to work, if only for half an hour.’  She hadn’t tested the stealth for the suits on anything bigger than her missing glove and didn’t know how long it could sustain the stealth mode, if at all over an area so much larger.  ‘Reroute this…’  She dragged her top lip between her teeth, concentrating as hard as she could.  ‘Borrow some power from here…’  She ran the program, crossing the fingers on her right hand while watching her left armoured hand.  After a moment or two when she was worried it was going to fail, she watched her armour flicker, the colour darkening like old fashioned heat sensitive paper.  She glanced down at herself, pulled off her helmet and checked it.  Her entire suit was reflecting the interior of Green’s cockpit, other than her bare right hand, and she grinned smugly.  ‘I think we have our way in.’  She announced, putting up her laptop.  ‘I just need an entry point to be able to initiate it.’

‘Roger that, find a way in and hold position.  Wait for me.’

‘I will.’  She confirmed, carefully manoeuvring Green over the top of the cruiser until she could get a better view into the doors.  There was plenty of space at the top of them, they could, in theory, easily swim through, but with so many drones even in her stealth mode she still might be detected.   Not to mention they were marching through a force shield which was how the inside remained dry.  Instead, she began scanning the metal surface, trying to find a weakness, an airlock, anything they could exploit.  In doing so she caught a glimpse of her bare hand, remembering she would lack protection from the cold water which, while a minor matter, would make holding her bayard difficult.  She had some spare under armour in the back which wouldn’t really protect her as much, but it would suffice, so she left the scanners running while she fetched a spare glove.

‘Did you miss us?’  Allura’s voice was cheerful despite having been woken so early in the morning.

‘It’s not a party without the two of you.’  Lance acknowledged.

‘I think this party is at max capacity.’  Hunk commented.

‘We can lower the occupancy in no time with the two of you along.’  Keith replied, checking briefly on Pidge’s exact position.  ‘Anything new for us, Pidge?’

‘I think so.’  She moved Green again, this time to the far side of the ship.  ‘I found an access hatch with an airlock and can isolate it from the mainframe so they won’t know we’re in.  Just preparing it now.’

‘And how’s the stream of drones?  Any sign of an end?’

‘Once I hack in I can tell you more accurately, but it looks like they were held in a stacking system, they’re just delivering them in batches, floor to ceiling, so it’s more than we’ve seen on one ship before.  Guess the Galra meant business.’

‘When don’t they?’  Allura asked rhetorically.

‘Screw it, I’m starting the hack now.’  Pidge initiated her program.  ‘If I can shut down the protocol that’s sending them out then it will minimise what you have to deal with on the surface.’

‘Just try not to alert them.’  Keith replied.

‘Who do you think you’re talking to?’  She said indignantly as her fingers flew over her keyboard.

‘Ohhh you’re in the doghouse!’  Lance laughed, but Pidge ignored him, carrying on with her work and ignoring their chatter as much as she could.

‘I’m about one minute out if you want to go ahead, Keith.’  Allura said, the coastline coming into view before the drones and Lions.

‘Alright, Pidge, you ready for me?’

‘I will be by the time you get here.’  She sealed her helmet and set her hacking protocol running, knowing she had thirty seconds before it would disarm their sensors long enough for her to pop the airlock.  ‘I’ll be right back, Green, hold the fort.’  And with that, she slipped out into the water beyond.

Notes:

Coming up! Welcome back Allura and Hunk!

Chapter 57: Underwater Escapades

Summary:

Inside the Galra ship...

Notes:

Another day, another million phone calls! Stayed up most of the night waiting for the emergency plumber and got around three hours sleep, only for him to show up at 830am. he fixed the major leak, found a bunch more, found out someone asked for a quote for a brand new special toilet yesterday, which I didn't know about, and that the man who came out and said we needed a new floor to replace the drain didn't put the job through! so the handy dandy plumber this morning put that in and was trying to get everything to coincide on the same day! Bloody people!

As for now, I am still trying to arrange collection of my car, I have been on and off hold for an hour and sixteen minutes, cried at two operatives because I feel like I'm being punished for having a temperamental unreliable car, and again, still on hold!!! So I'm stuffing my face with a Cadburys Caramel bar and writing some Kidge smut for later on in the fic! You are seriously in for a treat!

The airlock seemed to open out onto a gantry, high in the drone docking bay, and Pidge waited inside for Keith, floating in the pressured water with her wrist computer connected remotely to the door controls.

‘Nice outfit.’  Keith’s voice behind her had her turn and see him propelling himself through the door and she quickly closed it behind him, sealing it and beginning to equalise the pressure as the water drained away.

‘Thanks.  Wish I could have had you a matching set ready and waiting, but, you know, a girl has to make a good impression where she can.’  She shrugged, concentrating on the data she had been able to garner from this side of the door alone.  ‘There’s a console to the right of the door.  If I can get to that I might be able to shut the doors or shut down the drones all together.’

‘The latter would be better.’  Keith looked through the small porthole style window.

‘That’s what I’m aiming for.’  She replied, pulling her right glove off with her teeth and shaking life back into her fingers from the cold water.

The airlock finished its pressurisation protocol and the door opened with a hiss as the seal was broken.  They stepped out onto the gantry, looking over the edge at the sheer scale of the drones that had been stored here.  There were still perhaps two hundred left, rotating towards the floor and round in a smooth operation, all the empty housings showing the sheer scale of the invasion force.

‘Holy moly, that’s a lot of drones.’  Pidge whispered under her breath.

‘Get to the terminal, I’ve got your back.’  Keith encouraged her, and in seconds she was tapping away.

‘C’mon, give up your secrets.’  She mumbled, as she watched data run across the screen.  ‘Okay, I can close the doors, but that will take time.  If I shut down the forcefield it’ll flood the place, and I don’t think we want to be in here for that.  I can switch the forcefield to stop letting them out though.’

‘Anything on a shut down?’

‘It’s taking longer to get through to that protocol.’  She frowned in concentration.  ‘It’s like something is blocking my attempts as I make them.’

‘Another program?’  Hunk asked.

‘I don’t know, it’s kind of hard to tell right now.’

Keith made up his mind.  ‘Fortify the forcefield so no more can get through.  We can worry about shutting them down once you do.’

‘I don’t think you will be doing that.’  A new voice had them both look further down the gantry from where Pidge crouched, finding a Galra officer holding a plasma rifle on them.  ‘Step away from the console.  Now.’

Pidge straightened and raised her hands, sidestepping away from the console as instructed.  ‘You know the Galra Empire is gone, right?’

‘Yeah, this isn’t something you can win.’  Keith backed her up as the rest of the team listened inn with bated breath.

The officer laughed.  ‘This isn’t about winning any more!  It’s about causing as much destruction as I can as I go out!  And taking down some Voltron Paladins is about as good as it can get.’  He turned his attention to Pidge who had been slowly trying to bring her hands together to work on her wrist computer, and his eyebrows quirked curiously.  ‘Wait, I know you.’

‘Yeah, you just said we’re paladins of Voltron.’  She snipped, and he took a step closer.

‘No.  You were in the gladiatorial arena.  Your friend attacked you.  He was so much more bloodthirsty than you.’  He laughed cruelly.

‘Matt.’  Pidge whispered, realising what he meant, and she felt her blood begin to boil.

‘No, not you?  A family member then.  Oh how he screamed when we tortured him.  Like the sweetest of music to our ears.’

Pidge clenched her hands into fists and Keith noticed.  ‘Easy, don’t let him rile you.’

‘So I’m right?’  The officer’s smile widened as he shouldered his weapon.  ‘I wonder if you’ll do the same.’

‘Now!’  Keith yelled and Pidge hit the deck, allowing Keith a clear shot with his energy canon, having called forth his bayard while his hand was hidden behind Pidge.

The Galra dove to the side for cover behind the end of the console as Pidge put her back to it, working on shutting down the drones, believing in Keith to have the Galra covered.

‘I need two minutes, tops!’  Pidge yelled over the blaster fire roaring before her.  Her eyes ran over the data that was being fed back to her and she did a double take, swallowing hard.  ‘Oh shit, he set the place to self-destruct!’

‘How long?’  Keith dropped to one knee beside her, mostly to make himself a smaller target but also to offer her what protection he could, as she was virtually out in the open between the two guns.

‘Ninety seconds!  We need to go, now!’

‘What about him?’

Pidge gave him a small smile  ‘Hope he can’t swim?’  And deactivated the forcefield.

The rush of water was loud and immediate, racing into the hangar as Pidge and Keith activated their full helmets as one.  Keith let off several volleys of fire, making the Galra remain in cover, then raising his weapon up to his shoulder, giving Pidge an out.  ‘Go, I’ll be right behind you.’

‘You’d better be!’  She ran at the side of the gantry and jumped over, using her jetpack to propel herself towards the base of the water flow, knowing she would be knocked back regardless and that at least this was her choice.  The shock of the cold water hitting her bare hand surprised her almost as much as the tumbling through the current did and it was a moment until she could reorient herself, seeing Keith dive elegantly into the water above her.  He beckoned her to follow him even as blaster fire cut through the water, but they were able to quickly propel themselves away and out of the doors.

‘What are we doing about the drones?’  He asked as she drew level with him, having kept his speed away from the max to allow her to catch up.

‘Their instructions are coming from the ship, hopefully with it destroyed they’ll stop.’

‘Hopefully?’  He glanced at her, having never known her to be so vague.

‘If it doesn’t I finished downloading their program right when you told me to go.  I can shut them down once we’re safe.  Nothing else, but I can break their link to their commands.’

‘Excellent.  Let’s get out of the water.’

‘They’re one step ahead of you.’  She nodded towards where Black and Green were waiting ahead of them, taking drone fire from those in the water but ignoring it completely.

‘Then let’s get out of here.’  He flashed her a confident smile that had her heart leap, and in no time at all they were back in their Lions.

Back on the surface, Lance, Hunk, and Allura held a line at the front of the drones, picking off any stragglers while also maintaining a swathe of destruction.

‘You guys almost out of there?’  Hunk asked, the trail of drones not yet stopping their emergence from the water.

In answer, there was an enormous explosion out at sea, water and debris being blown at least five hundred feet high, and out of the middle flew Green and Black, Pidge giving a loud whoop as the drones suddenly all collapsed in on themselves, powered down and nothing more than scrap metal.

‘Now that’s an entrance.’  Hunk smiled.

‘An exit, actually.’  Pidge remarked.

‘Damn, I’ve missed you guys!’

‘It’s only been two days.’  Lance laughed.

‘What can I say?  You guys have grown on me these last few years.’

‘Status report?’  Shiro’s voice demanded, reminding them that they were technically still on the clock.

‘Cruiser destroyed, drones disabled.’  Keith confirmed.  ‘Everyone, set down where I do while we confirm properly.’

Everyone replied affirmatively and minutes later their Lions were all sitting on lush green grass, the Paladins disembarking their Lions.

‘Whoa, look at you!’  Hunk remarked as Pidge came down the ramp, frowned, then remembered her armour was still cloaked.  ‘What did you do to get that effect?’

‘She had a spare five minutes.’  Lance repeated what Pidge had kept repeating.  She replied by dismissing her cloak with her middle finger then flipping Lance the bird with it.

‘And I really want to try implement this for everyone.’  She added, not looking up from her wrist computer.  ‘But for now I would say its first test run was a success.’

‘Even if you didn’t really need to be stealthy, it looks amazing.’  Allura looked at Pidge admiringly.  ‘What was everyone doing before we were called out?’

‘We were at breakfast with the royal family of England.’  Lance remarked casually.  ‘And you were sleeping.’

Hunk sighed dreamily.  ‘I was just sitting down to a sushi banquet, all for me.  They packed me up a bento to go.’

‘Have we missed anything else of any import?’

‘Just some utter bullshit with one of the envoys.’  Keith shook his head.  ‘We’ll be down to one by the end of the day.’

‘That bad, huh?’  Hunk gave them a worried look before Lance filled them in.

‘Yeah, you know they got Jameson from the Garrison?  Guy a year above us who had an opinion of himself so high he’d need a space suit to keep from freezing in the atmosphere?  He’s been sexually harassing Pidge.’

‘Sounds a lot worse when you put it like that.’  She wrinkled her nose before finally putting her arm down.  ‘And I can confirm the drones are, some of them literally, dead in the water.’

‘What did he do to you?’  Allura walked over to her and rested her hands on her shoulders, making her look her directly in the eye.  She wasn’t happy that Pidge had rapidly changed the subject and worried it had been something bad enough to make her want to either avoid it or not admit it to them.

‘Nothing too bad, though enough.  He was really touchy feely and last night he tried to force a kiss on me so I electrocuted him.’

‘He got off light, in my opinion.’  Hunk added.  ‘You know, sometimes I wonder if we evolved punishment the right way by getting rid of it fitting the crime.’

‘Are you saying we should get Jameson chemically castrated?’  Lance laughed.  ‘Because I am totally behind that.’

‘Why bother with chemical.  Make it physical.’  Keith suggested and Pidge shot him a glare.

‘Don’t think you’re off the hook for your part in things.’  She reminded him.

‘Why’s Keith on the hook?’  Hunk asked, wondering how his teammate could have blown their new relationship already.

‘It’s a long story, we’ll fill you all in later because we’re going to have a group chat.’

‘I’m going to be paying for this for a while, aren’t I?’  Keith looked to Allura for guidance and she simply shrugged.

‘If Pidge sees fit to punish you for whatever it is for an extended period, then I say you deserve all you get.’

‘It’s not like you’ve been punished badly.’  Pidge gave him a small smile.  ‘Yet.’

‘Ouch.’  Keith pulled a face.  ‘Though if the punishment is what you made me do last night, I won’t be too mad about it.’

Pidge’s face flushed pink immediately, her eyes wide, as the rest of the team also gave him a shocked look, but it was only when Shiro spoke that he realised just what he had implied.

‘You might want to start thinking before you speak, pal.  Especially as Sam can still hear you and right about now looks like he is one bulging vein away from flying out to England to give you a piece of his mind, if not more.’

‘I made him hug me!’  Pidge yelled loudly, throwing her hands in the air for good measure as she walked a few paces away from the group before turning back.

‘You’re a grown woman, Katie,’ Sam’s voice was tight and she could picture the scowl on his face, ‘but I would appreciate it if you considered keeping certain details to yourselves.’

‘Oh my God!’  She covered her face with her hands.  ‘Back me up, Keith!’

‘Against a wall.’  Lance coughed, earning him Pidge’s helmet thrown into his stomach, doubling him with an; ‘Oof!’

‘It was just hugging, sir, I swear.’  Keith retrieved Pidge’s helmet from the grass and passed it back to her.  ‘I just thought it was a strange punishment, because it sure didn’t feel like one.  And you know I treat your daughter with the utmost respect.’

‘All the same…’

‘All the same, can we just not talk about it?’  Pidge pleaded.  ‘I was traumatised, Jameson had just tried to kiss me!’

‘Okay, we’ll drop it.’  Shiro intervened before anyone else could.  ‘We have a dinner party tonight but we can fit in a call before that, if it works for everyone?’

‘We have nothing else planned until tomorrow morning.’  Keith confirmed.  ‘Hunk, how will that work for you?’

‘I have no plans until first thing tomorrow morning so I can stay up late for the call.’

‘Great.’  They set a time that worked for them all.  ‘Lance, can you contact Liliana and see where to meet her, in case the helicopter took her back to our lodgings?’

‘Already done.’  Lance admitted with a small smile.  ‘Back to the university.’

‘Which means I can tell Jameson to go fuck himself, he’s off the tour, in the nicest possible way, of course.’  Pidge looked directly at Keith, knowing he had agreed to back her up.

‘We can tell him, together.’

‘Do you think he’s volatile?  That he might act out?’  Shiro checked, not knowing Jameson well enough to make the call.

‘Not if he has any sense.’

‘He hit on Pidge, how much sense can he have?’  Lance commented offhandedly as he stretched bodily, only to be slapped on the back of the head by Allura and Pidge give and indignant; ‘Hey!’

‘Ow, hey, I meant because she’s not interested, not an insult.’  He bent in on himself to protect his head from another attack while rubbing the spot vigorously.

‘Then we will forgive you, just this once.’  Allura replied.

‘Just…be careful.’  Shiro brought them back to topic.  ‘Be on your guard, just in case.  And we will have Iverson contact him once you give word so he can arrange Jameson’s transport back.’

‘And decide on an appropriate punishment.’  Sam added.

‘Did I destroy his Garrison career?’  Pidge asked sheepishly, making Keith rest a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.

‘He did that himself.’  He murmured softly, and Pidge gave him a worried look.  ‘Don’t do that, don’t blame yourself.’  She lowered her gaze and swallowed hard, but Keith bent to put himself in her eye line.  ‘I mean it, don’t.  He chose this path, you were polite in the way you handled it.’

‘But I didn’t outright tell him no.’

‘There are a hundred ways to say no.’  Shiro said.  ‘But unless it’s a direct yes, and someone chooses to cross that line, they have to be prepared to pay the consequences for their actions.  That’s what Jameson did.  Sure, he might have asked if you and Keith were an item, and at the time you weren’t, but did he ever once ask if you were interested?  If this was something you wanted?’

‘I guess not.’  Pidge murmured as Allura came up on her other side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

‘And did you in any way do anything that could have been mistaken for flirting?’

‘Ew, no.’  she wrinkled her nose.

‘If anything, it was the opposite.’  Lance added, joining Hunk as they all converged on Pidge comfortingly.

‘Then you did nothing wrong.  You’re the victim here, Pidge, don’t let worry for him make you question if you’re the bad guy.’

‘Come here.’  Keith pulled her against him, reassuring her with his presence, as Allura pressed herself to Pidge’s back, Lance and Hunk joining on either side a moment later.  ‘You did great, putting up with all you did from him, but now let the rest of us help you, even if it’s just moral support, we’re here.’

Pidge nodded, swallowing down her emotions before she spoke.  ‘Thanks, guys.  I mean it.’

‘It is always a pleasure to support the team, you know that.’  Allura gave her a tight squeeze.  ‘Actually, Shiro, do we have time for one quick detour before I return?’

‘I think I know what you have in mind.’  Shiro smiled.  ‘And you take all the time you need.’

Notes:

Up Next! Jameson gets confronted by five angry paladins!

I took so long posting this, having it open on my laptop while I added things, and they contacted me about the hire car. it's still not sorted but they've taken down the spec I need (automatic, with a ramp, tie downs for my wheelchair, internal transfer), and I will hear from someone asap!

Anyway, I'll post the confrontation before bed, if I remember! I'm so addled!

Chapter 58: Confronting Jameson

Summary:

All five paladins confront Jameson.

Notes:

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG this chapter ran away with me! Just...get some popcorn and enjoy, that's it! I'm going back to writing some smut because it takes me fucking forever because I'm a perfectionist and a realist at the same time! I hate when you get smut and you can't figure out whose arm or leg goes wherever! So, yeah, this has been an all day job...I'm sure neither Keith nor Pidge mind though!!!

The Lions all landed on the perfect lawns of King’s College and the Paladins disembarked as one.  Liliana was waiting in the doorway, her face a mask of concern.  Lance reached her first, his expression so serious it made Liliana’s stomach flip.

‘He’s in the King’s Bar.’  She stated, glancing behind him at the other two Paladins who had returned with them.  ‘Should I be worried?’

‘We’re just here to show a united front and to back Pidge up.’  He assured her, his smile worried but warm.  ‘And if Jameson acts out, that’s on him.’

‘Then I’m coming with you, I’ll stay out of your way, but you’ll need an independent witness.’  He gave her a surprised look.  ‘Just in case, of course.’

‘I appreciate it.’  He touched her arm softly in gratitude, and she couldn’t help but notice he said he appreciated it personally.

‘Do we look too threatening in our armour?’  Pidge asked, still feeling fretful despite knowing this was the right thing to do, that it had to be done.

‘Who gives a crap?’  Keith slipped his hand into hers and pulled her to one side, planning to follow everyone in just a moment.  ‘I think a little visual threatening can go a long way.’  He stopped her, turning to face her, blocking her from everyone else to give an illusion of privacy.  ‘I know I created this situation, but I also know you want to take control of this, to be the one to do this.  But I need you to know I have your back, that nothing will ever change that, and if you want me to I’ll take this, I’ll dismiss him, and I’ll tell him he’s to wait here until Iverson sends someone to collect him.’

Pidge shook her head.  ‘No, I’m doing this.  But I’m glad you’re with me.’

He smiled, proud of her for her determination.  ‘I wouldn’t be anywhere else.’  He bowed his head and kissed her softly, his lips imbibing her with more courage.  ‘You ready?’

She huffed out a breath and straightened her spine.  ‘Let’s do this.’

They rejoined the rest of the team and Liliana silently led them to the door of the bar.  It was quiet at this time of the day, various arcade machines and game tables dotted the room, but Pidge’s eyes focused on the tall man seated at the bar who, on seeing them approach, put down his glass of what could be water, but could easily be something stronger.  Getting to his feet he looked over each of them in turn, the two members completing their ranks with them, and Envoy Cooper standing by the door.

‘I wondered how long before you got back.’  He growled.  ‘Ditching your envoy isn’t very professional.’

‘Neither is trying to kiss someone in your charge.’  Pidge replied, standing front and center with the others fanned out behind her.

‘And neither is tasing someone without warning.’

‘What was I meant to do?  Wait until you took your tongue out of my mouth?’

‘You didn’t seem to mind Kogane doing it.’

‘He’s my boyfriend!’  She finally yelled, seeing Jameson’s eye twitch even if he didn’t respond in any other visible way.

‘So you lied to me about that?  That’s your thing, huh?  Prick teasing your way across the galaxies?’

‘We became a couple the night you asked.’  She said through gritted teeth.  ‘Things can change quickly and you ought to be smart enough to read a damn room.  Keith and I have been holding hands and going on dates!  It’s not my fault you’re too stupid to…’

‘You set me up?’  Jameson stepped forward angrily, his eyes blazing and aimed at Keith.

‘You set yourself up, for failure.’  Keith held his position, not wanting to provoke him further.  ‘And I will admit to being at fault for escalating things, but it is never okay to take liberties like you did, and it sure as hell isn’t okay to call a woman a prick tease because you were too dumb to realise circumstances had changed.’

‘All this time you…’

‘You are to remain in your accommodation and wait to be contacted by Commander Iverson, who will arrange your transport back to Galaxy Garrison headquarters to await whatever punishment they choose.’  Pidge spoke over him, but he wasn’t done.

‘You little bitch!  You think you can…’

‘I outrank you!’  Pidge yelled so loud and firmly that Allura and Hunk shared a look.  Sure, they had seen Pidge lose her temper before, and she was very expressive with her emotions, but this was something else, something commanding and determined.  ‘And unless you want defying a Garrison superior to your charges then I suggest you stand down and do as you are fucking told!’

‘Hunk, Lance.  Take him to his room.’  Keith finally took a step forward, bringing him in line with Pidge, close enough their hands could touch with little effort if needed.

‘Don’t do anything stupid.’  Hunk asked rather than stated as he and Lance started towards Jameson, who began walking towards them, his face contorted with barely contained rage.

Pidge kept her eyes forward, not wanting to look at Jameson, not wanting to antagonise him further.   Keith, however, had no such compunction, and watched him like a hawk.  But it still wasn’t enough.

Though he was some distance from them, Jameson suddenly lurched sideways with a speed that belied his size, backhanding Pidge across the face hard enough to send her to the floor at Keith’s feet.  Before she even hit the ground Lance and Hunk had bundled on top of him, taking him down as he yelled profanities and called Pidge every name under the sun.

‘Get him out of here before I end him!’  Keith screamed as he dropped to his knees beside Pidge, curving his arm around her shoulders as she tried to push herself up on trembling arms, blood dripping from her face.

Allura rushed forward and grabbed Jameson by the collar, hauling him up as Lance and Hunk tried to get him to his feet.  ‘You enjoy hitting girls, do you?’  She threw him towards the door, Liliana dodging away with a small squeal of surprise.  ‘Miss Cooper, could you call the local authorities to send some officers to detain this degenerate until the Garrison can take him into custody please?’

‘Of course.’  Liliana was unsure if she was supposed to curtsey to Allura, but settled for respectfully doing as she asked, calling the emergency services line.

‘Until then, we will keep him safe and sound in Blue.’

‘I’m not arguing with her.’  Lance knew Allura didn’t need any help pulling the much larger Jameson around, but he owed him.  No one laid hands on his teammates.  ‘And you had better not too, because she could kick your ass all the way to Kerberos without any assistance, and I’d let her.’

‘I’m with you guys too.’  Hunk rushed forward and held the door open.  ‘Make sure she’s okay, Keith.’  He called back.

Keith didn’t reply, he didn’t need to, Hunk knew he would, it was more for his own benefit to make sure Keith knew Hunk was just worried.  He and Pidge were close and it couldn’t be easy for him to leave her hurt like this.

‘Are you okay?’  He helped Pidge to a sitting position, taking a look at her injuries for the first time.  The entire left side of her face was red, her eye and cheek swelling, her lip split and nose bleeding.  ‘I mean, I can see you’re not, but do you want an ambulance?’

She shook her head, her breathing heavy, and she licked at her lip, finding the cut easily.  ‘No.  I just want to make sure it’s documented, then Allura can use some of that good Altean healing juju to fix me right up.’

‘Then at least let me take some pictures and then clean you up.’

She nodded, letting him help her to her feet, where she was taken by a wave of dizziness, reaching out with her hand for a surface that wasn’t there as her body listed sideways.

‘Whoa, I’ve got you.’  Keith swept her up in his arms and moved her to the nearest chair, kneeling beside her as he glanced back at the very confused bartender who had been watching on in amazed horror at the scene unfolding before him.  ‘Do you have some ice?  A first aid kit?’  He nodded his head rapidly before rushing off to do Keith’s bidding.  ‘Do you feel faint?’

She shook her head and wished she hadn’t.  ‘Dizzy.’  She touched her face gingerly.  ‘Well, I didn’t see that coming.’

‘None of us did.’  Keith pushed her hair away from her face carefully, allowing him to check her injuries more fully.  ‘Let me take some photos and then you call Shiro and your dad.’

She nodded, letting him take pictures from the front and side, some close ups of the greater of the wounds and bruising that was even now darkening.  Soon she was initiating the call as Keith wrapped ice in a damp bar cloth, the first aid box beside it on the table.

Shiro answered on the second ring, obviously not paying attention to the screen for the first few moments.  ‘How did it…what happened?!’

‘He did not take it well.’  Pidge tried to smile but gasped when it became too painful.

‘Jameson didn’t like the plan.’  Keith added.  ‘He backhanded her as Lance and Hunk went to lead him away, and that’s after he called her some choice names.’

‘He kept yelling right up until Allura threw him across the room.’

‘Uh…’  Shiro paused, unsure whether to be worried that Allura could have done some damage to either Jameson or the location, or pleased that the little shit who had hurt Pidge got some comeuppance.  ‘Sam!’  He yelled, knowing the older man was in the next room.  ‘You need to see this!’

‘I’ve photographed the wounds so I’m going to give her some basic first aid while we wait for Allura to finish trussing Jameson up in Blue.’

‘I would say I don’t envy him, but he deserves everything he’s getting.  Are you feeling okay?’

‘Nope.  Pidge admitted.  ‘I have a touch of double vision.’

‘And you nearly blacked out.’

‘I was dizzy, not blacking out.’

‘You might have if I hadn’t caught you.’

‘Don’t have a domestic, kids, we have more important things to deal with.  I need to contact Iverson immediately and get Jameson collected as a matter of urgency.’

‘Did detaining him not go to plan?’  Sam’s voice preceded him, and when he saw his daughter on the screen he stopped dead, his face draining of colour.  ‘Katie, what…?’

‘Yeah, he hit me.’  She smiled lopsidedly, tapping on her wrist computer.

‘And you let him?’  He turned his eyes to Keith.

‘He took us all by surprise.  It’s not an excuse, I should have kept her further from him, but tensions were high and I guess I missed it.’

‘It already happened, there’s no point in going over it again.  And you told me yourself, Shiro, not to victim blame, so we aren’t blaming anyone but Jameson.’  Pidge argued, as Keith tried to touch the icepack to her face, but she veered away.  He gave a small laugh and cupped her opposite cheek, slow and carefully pressing the icepack to her skin.  She hissed in loud through her teeth at the shock of cold to her already sensitive nerve endings.  ‘I’m sending you the footage.’

‘You hacked the university security cameras while in this state?’  Keith half admonished, the other half impressed by her being able to carry on when she had to be in so much pain.

‘Please, I did that the day we got here.  I just hadn’t done anything with it yet.’

‘That will help with the case.’  Shiro agreed.  ‘Though I wish it hadn’t come to this.’

‘Not as much as I do.’  Pidge gave a pathetic laugh, her eyes tearing up with a combination of pain and emotions.

‘She was awesome though, she seriously took no crap from him.  She was really commanding.’

‘What was I meant to do, whimper and ask him if he would awfully mind please going to his room to await an official reprimand thank you kindly?’

Shiro chuckled.  She couldn’t be that bad if she were making jokes.  ‘No one would believe that was the real Pidge.’

‘Liliana was calling the local police to take him into custody.  At least that way he’s no longer our problem.’  Keith added.  ‘He’s a volatile melting pot and he just signed his own dishonourable discharge.  How’s your head feeling?’

‘It’s ringing.  But so are my teeth.’

‘Once we get Jameson out of our hair we’ll all call you back, try and track Matt down to bring him and Liliana up to speed.  I want to get Pidge to her room and resting until we get her fixed up.’

‘Not a bad idea.  I’ll send the footage to Iverson and keep you in the loop for when you can expect Jameson’s military escort.  Be well, Katie.’  Shiro smiled softly at them.

‘I’m going to make sure that bastard…’  Sam began but Shiro cut the call, meaning Pidge didn’t get to hear the full tirade her father was about to cloud the air with.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard Dad cuss.’  She murmured.

‘Sounds like you missed more than one.’  Keith removed the icepack and touched her face carefully, the heat from the blow burning even through the icy surface of her skin.  ‘Let’s get you to your room and into something comfortable.’

‘Your arms?’  She asked hopefully.

‘Just for starters.’  He winked at her, scooping her up in his arms knowing, if he had this way, he would never let her go.

Notes:

Welp, sorry not sorry! It worked with the plot! I swear I don't enjoy hurting these characters but it does enhance the plot somewhat...and the drama...and all the soft Kidge!

NEEEEEXXXTTTTT!!!!!! The aftermath of this chapter.

Chapter 59: Aftermath

Summary:

The paladins continue to talk out what has been going on while Allura heals Pidge.

Notes:

Hi all!! My day of lots of little things to do has changed to a day to do very little, so I went out to lunch with my girls and just came home, sorted through all my pens and colouring pencils, and am now fighting a nap for all I'm worth! Not a bad day, all in all! The courtesy car has finally been sorted, and is coming tomorrow, so everything is settled for now! Woooo!

Allura knelt beside Pidge’s bed, her hand holding one of the younger woman’s.  Pidge lay on her right side, curled up on the bed in her pyjamas.  Keith had made sure she was comfortable and would not leave her side, sitting crosslegged on the bed behind her and repeatedly checking if there was anything she needed.  Hunk stood at the end of the bed watching over them, while Lance looked at the Lions out of the window thoughtfully.  Liliana felt distinctly out of place with all the Paladins present, but she had organised a large array of hot and cold drinks to be brought up

‘I know you know this won’t hurt, but if you feel the need to sleep, don’t fight it.  Sometimes that can be the most healing thing a body can do.’  Allura assured her.

Pidge sighed through her nose, it hurt too much to do much else.  ‘It’s all good, really, I don’t want to miss the group call, and I sure as hell don’t want to miss the cops taking him away.’

‘I don’t think you seeing him again is a good idea.’  Keith stroked his hand over her arm.

Pidge turned her head just enough to see him, her left eye now swollen so much it was barely open.  ‘And I think him seeing me healed and none the worse for wear for what he did will be like salt and lemon juice in his wounded pride.’

‘I like the way you think.’  Lance stated.  ‘His pride was his downfall.  Let him take another kick to it.’

Two knocks came from the door and as Hunk was nearest, he answered it, letting Matt into the room.

‘I got Pidge’s message, but when did you get to England?’  He asked in confusion.

‘We had an emergency we all had to attend.’  He closed the door quietly and watched as Matt took in everyone’s dour expressions.  ‘And then we had a second one crop up unexpectedly.’

‘Why?  What…?’  His eyes fell on Pidge on the bed, drawing everyone’s attention whether she wanted it or not.

‘Hey.’  She waved a hand at him without looking and within seconds he was scrambling over the bed and pushing Keith out of the way.

‘What the hell happened?  Who did this?  Why is everyone here?  Is it because of whatever did this?’  He tried to roll her over onto her back but Allura got to her feet and rested a hand on his shoulder, gently but firmly pushing him back as she spoke.

‘Matt, I need you to take a breath and everything will be explained to you.  I am about to heal Pidge as much as I can with quintessence, but you bouncing all over her will not help matters.’

‘But what happened?’  Matt didn’t move, but Allura was having none of it.

‘Matthew Holt, off the bed, now!’  She pointed to the bottom of the bed where Hunk had resumed his position of concern.

He carefully moved to where she was pointing and Liliana took the opportunity to offer him a hot drink, giving him something to focus on other than his worry.

‘I got this.’  Lance moved away from the window, making sure Matt set him about fixing his coffee to his preference.  ‘Jameson got his dismissal and didn’t take it well.’  He nodded towards Pidge.

‘Jameson did that?’  Matt yelled, Allura shushing him as she resumed her position.

‘I’m going to start now, please try not to fight it.’  She rested her fingers gently on Pidge’s cheek, noting that while she did close her eyes it was tightly against what was obviously extreme pain.

‘Where the hell is he?  I’ll kill that motherfucker!’  Matt slammed the cup back on the table but Hunk had already stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

‘He’s already detained and waiting for the cops to pick him up until the Garrison get to him.  Your dad has it under control, don’t worry.’  The bigger man rested a reassuring but firm hand on his shoulder.  ‘What you need to do now is calm down and be here for your sister.’

Matt sighed and ran his hand through his hair, dragging some from his ponytail as he did from sheer frustration.  ‘How did this happen?   How did you guys let this happen?  Was she alone?  Did he come after her?  What?’

Keith got off the bed, guilt gnawing at him from what Matt said, knowing this could have gone so much better if only he had been more cautious.  ‘We were all together.  Pidge told Jameson he was dismissed and would be held in his room until the Garrison came for him, and as he was being led away, he flew at her and hit her.  None of us expected it, but I should have, and I’m sorry.’

‘Not your fault.’  Pidge grumbled through gritted teeth.  ‘And anyone who says it is will answer to me, once I feel better.  That includes you, Kogane.’

Keith laughed one small huff of breath as he turned back to the bed, smiling despite knowing she wasn’t looking.  ‘I will gladly take that punishment.  I should have protected you.’

‘Kinda hard to protect me from someone that is that crazy angry.’  She mumbled, her voice slurring slightly as Allura’s efforts began to take effect.

‘Still wanna kill him.  Or just, you know, shoot him out an airlock without a suit.’  Matt complained, his cheeks flushed with anger.  ‘What did Dad say?’

‘They’re actually waiting for our call.  Pidge and I spoke to him and Shiro briefly just to get the ball rolling.’

‘Use my laptop.’  Pidge murmured, just loud enough for everyone to hear and they all glanced at the table, finding it empty.  ‘It’s in Green.’  She added.

‘I’ll go get it.’  Matt turned towards the door but Keith closed ranks with Hunk.

‘I’ll go get it.  Can’t have you wandering off looking for Jameson when we need you here.’

Matt gave a knowing smile and there was nothing pleasant about it.  ‘Could say the same for you.’

‘I know where he is.’  Keith replied.  ‘And as much as I might want to show him a thing or two, I know as leader of Voltron I have to set an example.  And not a bad one.’

‘Shame.’

‘Tell me about it.’

‘I’m just going to save any arguing and go get it myself.’  Lance set off towards the door.  ‘Liliana, join me?’  He nodded to her and despite her surprise she soon followed him.  She was unsure as to whether they wanted her out of the way to talk or if Lance wanted her for something else, but either way she wasn’t going to argue.

Matt rubbed his forehead as soon as the door was shut.  ‘He doesn’t change, huh?’

‘I don’t know, this time seems different.’  Keith remarked, folding his arms as he turned back to the bed.  Pidge’s features had softened slightly, more relaxed, and he could all but see the damage reducing as Allura’s fingers glowed faintly.

‘What are we talking about?’  Hunk looked at them in confusion which was when Keith realised they hadn’t been present the last few days to watch Lance go from a drooling idiot to a man in over his head.

‘Lance.  He fell pretty hard and fast for Envoy Cooper.’

‘He has?’  Allura looked up suddenly, bringing a startled; ‘Ow!’ From Pidge.  ‘I’m so sorry.’  Allura said quickly, returning to her task.  ‘That must be something to see.’

Keith looked at her apologetically.  ‘I know he crushed on you for the longest time, so if you don’t want to hear this, I don’t have to carry on.’

‘Pish and nonsense.’  She dismissed his concerns.  ‘Lance and I are just that, our own people, and I’m happy for him.’

‘Okay, good.’  He said hesitantly.  ‘Anyway, they seem to get on well, and like each other.  I think she might be good for him, ground him.  A little bit of normality in all the crazy we’ve had to deal with.’

‘He’s an Earth boy, through and through.’  Hunk agreed.  ‘For all his flirty ways he’s rooted here.’

‘Liliana is cool too.’  Pidge breathed the words, barely audible as her body fought the effects of the healing.  ‘And she likes him back which is a bonus.’

Allura smiled at her.  ‘Let it take you, Pidge, stop trying to be a part of this conversation.  You need to rest more.’

‘Uh huh.’  She suppressed a yawn, her eyes closed and body relaxing as she did what Allura suggested.  She was asleep in seconds.

Notes:

Up Next! Lilance on their way to get the laptop!

Chapter 60: WWYNANT

Summary:

Lance and Lilana go to get Pidge's laptop. Lance gives a life lesson he lives by.

Notes:

OMG things are getting sorted here! My car has been collected, my courtesy car should be here any minute, and they are coming out in two weeks to assess my bathroom floor! Finally!!!!

It's also my first full day with both girls home for the summer holidays! It's been very peaceful, they are both working on some art while we are watching the newly released My Melody and Kuromi, which honestly I'm not really watching but it's on, and I keep giving bad commentary. My girls should be used to it, at 21 and 16, but they still laugh and even join in with me!

‘Are you alright after what happened?’  Liliana inquired, trotting to keep up with Lance as he speed walked towards Green.

‘As good as I’ll get, given the circumstances.’  He replied, realising she was struggling to keep up and stopped abruptly, allowing her to reach him.  ‘It just hurts to see Pidge hurt, you know?  That asshole had no right to lay hands on her.’

‘He didn’t.  There is never an excuse to hit a woman, no matter how a man may try and justify it.’

Lance looked down at her, her face a mask of concern, making him realise perhaps he had been too focused.  ‘Are you okay?  You were right there too.’

She nodded but swallowed heavily, and he saw it.  ‘It was frightening, honestly.  I’m not used to seeing violence up close, let alone against someone I know.’

Lance looked around, mostly up at the window to Pidge’s room, then turned back and took her hand.  ‘Come with me.’

‘Don’t we need to get Pidge’s laptop?’  She asked as he led her towards Red.

‘We will, but I think we need like, two minutes maybe, to take a breath.’

Once behind Red he pulled on her hand gently, drawing her into a hug, and he sighed.  ‘I just…I need a minute.  Is this okay?’

Liliana was in shock.  She had gone from discussing her fear to being hugged by Lance McClain in a matter of moments, and she knew she had to answer, but the words stuck in her throat.  Clearing it, she nodded.  ‘I think we both need a minute.’  Her voice wavered and he noticed, giving her a reassuring squeeze as her arms wrapped around his back.

They stood like that for just over sixty seconds.  Lance didn’t keep count but he knew he couldn’t stand here all day, no matter how comforting a touch she had, no matter how good it felt to hold her close.  He gave a large sigh and leant back, looking down at her, and it was a view he would gladly see every day for the rest of his life.  ‘I’m good now, but do you want another minute?’

Liliana shook her head and gave him a small smile.  ‘I’m okay, thank you.  That really helped.’

‘Never underestimate the power of a hug from the right person.’  He smiled in return.  ‘Let’s get that laptop and get back.’

‘Is that why you asked me out here?’  She asked as he entered Green.

‘To hug?  Nah, that was just an awesome bonus.’  He found the laptop where Pidge had left it in the cockpit and he was soon heading back towards her.  ‘I didn’t want to come out here alone because I might be tempted to go teach Jameson a lesson.’

‘I don’t think anyone would blame you for feeling that way.’  She replied as they fell into step together at a much more reasonable pace.

‘Not a very good example though.’  He said sardonically.  ‘And as a rule I always try and follow a moral code of WWYNANT.’

‘WWYNANT?’  She asked curiously.

‘What would your niece and nephew think.’  He grinned.  ‘And we don’t want the universe to think Voltron is populated with thugs.’

‘I don’t think anyone would think that.’  She assured him warmly.  ‘I happen to think you’re a hero.  Especially given what just happened and how self-controlled you were.  If I thought I could get away with it I would have quite liked to have given Jameson a swift kick to the nuts myself.’

Lance burst out laughing, the sound echoing around the surrounding buildings at her unexpected comment.  ‘Now that’s a mental image that will let me go to sleep happy tonight.’

‘I mean it.  I didn’t realise he was such a horrible man.  It just goes to show you don’t ever really know what deep dark thoughts people are hiding.’

‘I’m pretty much an open book.’  Lance tapped his head.  ‘No hidden thoughts up here.’

‘And I have never been so grateful for that.’  She replied as they reached the door.  ‘And before we go back up I just wanted to thank you.’

‘Me?’  He pulled a face of utter confusion.  ‘What did I do?’

‘You truly care, and I’m sure Pidge knows that.  You have acted admirably in the face of such conditions a lesser man would have snapped and blow the consequences.  So, on behalf of everyone who benefits from your selfless heroism; thank you.’  She went up on her toes and kissed his cheek.  ‘And if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see if I can get the kitchens to provide a variety of dishes so you are all taken care of.’

Lance stood and watched her go, her ponytail bobbing as she walked away in her skirt suit and sensible heels, his hand coming up to touch his cheek where her lips had touched.  His face flushed, an amazed smile spread on his lips.  ‘Well, shit.  I think I have to marry that girl.’

Notes:

Coming next! Rainbow trout! That's it, that's the name of the chapter!

Chapter 61: Rainbow Trout

Summary:

Pidge has a revelation. There is rainbow trout. Not in the revelation, but it is still in this chapter.

Notes:

IDK why titling this chapter rainbow trout made me laugh so much to myself, but it did.

Pidge woke up but didn’t stir.  She lay still, taking stock of things before she moved, and realised several things at once.  Firstly, her face didn’t hurt, which was an incredible bonus.  Her head was fuzzy, as though she had slept very heavily and her mind still wasn’t ready to fully give up on sleep, and her body seemed to agree.  Another moment and she realised it wasn’t just a lethargic feeling but a solid arm across her body, a warmth at her back and soft breath ruffling her hair on the back of her neck.  She sighed contentedly, recognising Keith almost on instinct, and let her mind wander for a moment.

She thought over the last thing she remembered, everyone was discussing Lance and Liliana, trying to spare Allura any hurt feelings, but they had long since put aside their non-relationship and moved on.  It was still nice of everyone to be considerate of Allura though.  The pain Jameson had caused no longer plagued her, her face feeling normal sized was something she would never take for granted again.  Quintessence sure did have its benefits.  From its healing and longevity, to powering their Lions, it was amazing what it could do.  She could write an entire series of thesis on its abilities and only scratch the surface.  Who knows, with more research and experimentation it might prove even more benefits than the ones they were already aware of.  It would have to be carefully monitored, of course.  There were far too many ways to corrupt and be corrupted by quintessence, as had been proved by Zarkon and Haggar multiple times.  It wouldn’t take much to use that corruption to alter something at a base level, like…

Her eyes shot open a second before she sat bolt upright, Keith murmuring as he rolled onto his back with the momentum.  What if that was it?  What if the Altean back at the Garrison had a concentrated mass of quintessence, rather than a quantity running through her blood stream?  What if the mass was that of corrupted quintessence?

She scrambled off the side of the bed, yet her legs were still not quite ready to do so.  She stumbled to her knees but kept going, part crawling, part getting to her feet as she grabbed onto the table and hoisted herself into the chair.  Her laptop sat, as though awaiting her arrival, and in moments she had three floating screens showing the data and results from the scans taken at the Garrison infirmary.

‘Oh my God.’  She muttered, her screens lighting up the room with a green glow.  ‘That’s it, that’s what we’re missing!’

She immediately initiated a call to Allura.

Allura’s communicator sounded loudly despite the constant chatter going on around her at the official dinner.  She had barely got back in time to dress and, even with Coran helping, she arrived very close to the mark.  Now she sat in full Altean finery, eating a meal she had been assured was a local delicacy called rainbow trout.  She couldn’t see a rainbow, which confused her somewhat, other than some orange sticks called car rots, which she was certain she had had at the Garrison as small round disks, but these still had a stump of green tip attached and were incredibly narrow.  There were also potatoes, which seemed to be the most versatile vegetable on the entire planet, and she now understood Hunk’s obsession with them, and some green, narrow stems with a tight feathery foliage known as ask parrot guts that, apparently, so some very drunk senator had told her rather conspiratorially, a large majority of humans were genetically predisposed to it changing the scent of their urine.  It was certainly a factoid she could have done without knowing and was relieved when Shiro had interrupted and whisked her away.  Still, the pale colour of the fish, the green of the ask parrot guts, the orange of the car rot, did not, in her opinion, constitute a rainbow.  The relief of her communicator sounding turned to slight embarrassment as the entire table ceased its chatter and stared at her.

‘Oh dear, please excuse me.’  She glanced at the screen and saw it was Pidge.

‘Everything okay?’  Shiro was seated on her right, Sam beside him, Coran on her other side.

‘It’s Pidge.  I should check in with her.’

Shiro waved over one of the servers and asked him to take Allura somewhere private and, ensuring Coran would go with her, they were led to a nearby office.

Allura answered before the door was fully closed, bringing the younger woman up on her screen, finding her hair askew from sleep, but her face bearing not a wound from earlier.

‘Pidge, is something wrong?  Are you alright?’

‘Are you busy?’  She looked over her outfit and stammered in her greeting, worrying she was interrupting something important.  ‘I don’t actually know what time it is.  Where are you?’

‘We’re at an official dinner in, I think it’s called Idontknow.’  She looked to Coran in askance.

‘No, it’s definitely Ivanhoe, I’ve seen the name mentioned in a lot of classical media.’

‘Ivanhoe…?  Pidge thought hard.  ‘Wait, Idaho?’

‘That’s the one!’  Allura clicked her fingers, then her face became more concerned.  ‘But isn’t it late where you are?  Shouldn’t you still be resting?’

She checked the clock on her laptop.  ‘Huh, nearly midnight.  I need to run something by you but it’s confidential, can you talk?  I’ll be as fast as I can.’

‘Coran and I are alone, so go ahead.’

‘Great.’  Pidge sighed in relief.  ‘So, you know we’ve been trying to find a reason for why the Altean at the infirmary is still unconscious, something keeping her sedated?  I mean, of course you know, but it’s specifically about that.  What’s something that’s technically alive but also without conscious thought?’

Allura frowned for a moment as she tried to make sense of Pidge’s sudden information influx.  ‘I want to say game show hosts, but I’m not sure that’s where you’re going with this.’

Pidge smiled slightly.  ‘No, this is way more intelligent.  Think about something we’ve come across.  Something we use every day, but has its own agenda, on a base not sentient level.  Something that can be corrupted and abused.  Something that nearly killed us all.’

Allura’s brows shot up as the idea formed in her mind.  ‘You don’t mean…?’

‘Quintessence.  Exactly.  A ball of concentrated corrupt quintessence!  That’s why the blood tests didn’t show anything, that’s why the scans showed something but nothing at the same time.  Earth doesn’t have the technology to check for it on any standard test.  Someone has literally infected her with quintessence like it’s a parasite, focused it into an inhibitor!  What if she has so much quintessence running through her from this corruption that it sustains her, keeping her form alive so it can pilot the ship through her?  The quintessence could control her movements, send her commands to fly the ship on instinct while she’s used as an autopilot at its control!

Allura gasped as Coran looked on in concern.  ‘If that were possible it would explain everything.’

‘Question is, do you think there’s something you could do to flush it out?  Hand her body and mind back over to herself?’

‘I can certainly try, now that I know what I’m looking for.  You are truly remarkable, Pidge.  How did you come up with this, especially given the situation you were in?’

‘Actually, I think that’s what gave me the push.’  She touched her face to indicate that that was how her brain had linked the two.  ‘I woke up and started thinking about how you healed my injuries.  The link was just suddenly there.’

‘Well, there you have it,’ Coran finally interjected, ‘if you’re ever stuck on another equation you should let someone give you a thrashing.’

Allura and Pidge just stared at him, stone faced.  ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea.’  Allura remarked.  ‘But I’m glad the healing worked, if in more ways than we expected.’

‘It did, and I’m grateful.  Not a thing to show for it.’  She pointed at her face.                                       ‘Why are you making so much noise so early?  You’re meant to be resting.’  Keith groaned and Pidge glanced over at him, missing Coran and Allura sharing a surprised look.

‘I figured it out!’  She hopped out of her seat and raced to the bed, pulling on his hand until he got up and followed her.  ‘And it’s not early, it’s late.’

‘Well, well, well.’  Coran murmured as they took in Keith’s dishevelled appearance, though at least he was still dressed.  ‘I told you, at it like yalmors in mating season.’

‘Shh!’  Allura admonished before turning back to the screen.  ‘Is this interrupting your sleepover?’

‘I stayed in case she needed anything.’  Keith shook his head at her teasing tone, taking the seat Pidge had just left and pulling her to sit in his lap, more for ease than comfort so they could both see the screen.  At least, that was what he told himself.

‘Uh huh.’  Allura smiled knowingly.  ‘But all that aside, I will see if I can cut our visit short.  I should return to the Garrison and do what I can.’

Pidge shook her head.  ‘I don’t think you should, not straight away.  Give me a little time to see what I can find on the numbers and scans now that we know what we’re looking for.  And I don’t think we should share this much beyond the team.  We don’t know if the quintessence is able to transfer hosts, should it be found out.’

‘That is something I had not considered.’  Allura nodded.  ‘We need to be cautious.’

‘I don’t think there’s any harm in telling the team, who knows, they might be able to come up with something I missed.’

Allura laughed.  ‘If you think they’ll be able to come up with something you haven’t, then you have a lower opinion of your genius than I thought.  Matt excluded, I suppose, but you have more experience with quintessence than him.  Feel free to bring him into the loop if you feel it will help.’

‘Got it.  You get back to your party and I’ll send you an encrypted message if I come up with something else.’

‘In the morning.’  Keith finally got a word in, having watched the two of them to and fro for a while.  ‘You have to get a good nights sleep after what happened.’

‘I feel fine.’

‘You look exhausted.’  He argued.

‘Okay, I’ll do it after I sleep some more, brain allowing.’

‘Please try.’  Allura implored.  ‘It was quite the blow you took earlier and sleep will only help.’

Pidge rolled her eyes.  ‘I’m starting to think you don’t know me at all.  But fine, I really will try.  Night, Princess.’

‘Goodnight.’  Allura cut the call and turned to Coran.  ‘If you say one more thing about yelmore mating rituals I will be furious.’

Notes:

Car rots. Ask parrot guts! I do make myself laugh sometimes! It made me happier than Pidge working out what is going on with the Altean!

Coming up! Arrival in Cuba!

Chapter 62: Home Sweet Cuban Home

Summary:

Lance is pleased to be home. Keith and Matt can be stupid, at times.

Notes:

Hi all! Happy Saturday! Nothing major to report here, went out in the courtesy van, which is different but okay! lots more space than I'm used to!

Came straight home and wrote some more, now up to chapter 86!! Wooooo!

Keith, Pidge, and Lance managed to visit the military academy before leaving the next morning.  Matt, in his new position of Liliana’s assistant envoy, was happy to stay near his sister even now the threat had gone.  They had been through more than any other siblings he could think of and he didn’t want to miss this chance to spend some more time with Pidge in something other than a war zone.

Their next stop was a one day visit to Mexico, before heading to Cuba.  Their last day would be spent in Washington DC, meeting back up with the rest of the team to receive the congressional medal of honour from the president.  Of course, there was a ball to attend after, which Pidge was dreading for so many reasons.  Firstly, there was more socialising, which was even worse now she had something to work on that took priority.  It was bad enough that she would have to smile and talk and, well, be sociable.  That wasn’t one of her strong suits.  Secondly, dress code.  That meant a dress.  She had been able to avoid wearing one since the original Garrison get together, but now it was on the horizon and unavoidable.  And it wasn’t necessarily her choice.  She had had a little input in a back and forth with her mom, but there was only so much she could get a compromise on.  Sure, she had some new clothes for this trip, including skirts with built in shorts, but an actual ball gown was something else.  She had managed to put it out of her mind so far but it was slowly coming to the fore, and it sat in the back of her head taunting her.  Mexico went by in a blur, even the experience of a parade and subsequent carnival couldn’t distract her.  Keith noticed, of course he did, but couldn’t get her to admit to anything as she had her head buried in research about the potential threat of the quintessence plaguing the Altean.  Other than at official functions he had barely seen her, once more in separate rooms where she hardly slept for working.  He and Matt had discussed it over a beer, knowing she had to come out of this herself, but it was hard to leave her to something that, while she considered it of the utmost importance, was in the short term detrimental to her wellbeing.

‘She’s done this since she was a kid.’  Matt was riding with Keith, Pidge having banished him from Green because he kept talking while she was running numbers and trying to concentrate, Green on autopilot to their next destination.  ‘She’ll hyper fixate on a problem until she solves it or her exhaustion wins over.  Normally she solves it, but sometimes you’ll just find her asleep on the keyboard.’

‘Oh trust me, I’ve noticed.’  Keith glanced out the cockpit window at Green to his left, knowing his girlfriend was there, nose buried in numbers.  ‘I just wish she would take a break other than some official function.  She was trying to run numbers on her wrist computer when we were on the damn parade float.  I don’t want her to make herself ill.’

‘It’s who she is.’  Matt shrugged.  ‘But, you know, together we might be able to do something about it.’

Keith gave him an intrigued look.  ‘I’m listening.’

 

‘There she is, home sweet Cuban home.’  Lance sighed happily as the mainland came into sight.  The blue seas surrounding her looked like crystal welcoming him back.  ‘I can’t wait to show you all the things she has to offer.’

‘Well, we have plenty of time over the next two days to make the most of it.’  Liliana referred to the fact that they were doing a very public arrival but then had the rest of the day to themselves until the evening for a formal sit down dinner with the political leaders.  The following day was much the same, nothing until late afternoon when there was to be a parade, grand festival, and celebration late into the night.  Lance was looking forward to the entire experience, knowing he would get to sample a taste of home while introducing Liliana to just how amazing his home country was.

‘Well, our first stop will be Varadero beach.  I hope you packed a bathing suit because you’re going to need it.’

Liliana froze for a moment, standing as she was with her hand on the back of Lance’s seat, having been enjoying the view.  ‘Actually, I…didn’t.  I wasn’t told to expect to spend any time on a beach.’

‘Huh.’  Lance said thoughtfully, his imagination shattering as the thought of her in a bikini was snatched from his mind.  ‘What about something more casual?  A sundress?  Shorts?’

She shook her head as he looked up at her.  ‘Sorry.’

‘Okay, our first stop will be shopping.’  Lance shrugged, turning his attention back to the view.  ‘And we can hit Varadero the next day, get an early start, take a picnic.’

‘You don’t have to do that.’  Liliana knew how much men hated to shop and didn’t want to bore him.  ‘I can stop off somewhere and grab some essentials.  It won’t take me long, I’m sure.’

‘Are you kidding?’  Lance’s attention was back on her.  ‘Let me take you shopping.  We already had to cancel going to your favourite restaurant in Cambridge because of the Galra drone attack and Jameson being a prick.  We’re doing this.’

Liliana flushed slightly and glanced down.  ‘I don’t want to argue with you.’

‘Then don’t.  We’re going shopping.  Maybe we’ll pick something nice out for the festival too.  For each of us.’

‘I would actually like that a lot.  Thank you.’  She rested her hand on his shoulder before returning to her seat as he turned the Lion in formation with Keith and Black.

‘Me too.  Let’s get lunch too, make it a date.’

‘Just like Italy.’  She smiled at the fond memory of having dinner with him.

‘I mean, no?’  He made it a question, not tearing his eyes from the controls and swallowing down his concern.  ‘Not quite like Italy.  I mean an actual date.  Would you go on a date with me?’

Liliana froze again but for a completely different reason.  Lance McLain just asked her on a date.  An actual date, not just dinner, a date date.  Her heartbeat raced and her stomach fluttered with nervous butterflies but there was only one answer she could give.  ‘I would really like that.’

‘Me too.’  He flashed her a quick smile, managing somehow to keep the whoop of excitement inside him.

 

‘Pidge, are you with us?’  Keith asked as they began their descent.

‘Mmm.’  Came her reply and he shook his head.  The sooner he put Matt’s plan into action, the better.

‘That’s not a yes.’

‘Close enough.’  Matt murmured, knowing she would be doing what needed to be done but the greater part of her attention was elsewhere.

‘Let’s hope so.  The last thing we need is Green crash landing into the waiting Cuban dignitaries.’

‘I heard that.’  Pidge replied, showing she was paying attention after all.

‘Good to have you back.’  Keith replied, smiling to himself at how indignant she sounded.

 

The landing was smooth, the public engagement straight forward with lots of fans, old and young, itching to meet their heroes.  Lance lapped up the attention, posing for selfies and handing out autographs like a pro, while Keith and Pidge where a little more restrained, doing their duty certainly, but with less enthusiasm.  Liliana and Matt stayed back with some cultural attaches from the government, discussing when the event would end and confirming accommodation.  It was a little more basic than the previous rooms, but would suffice nonetheless.  They had an entire hostel to themselves and while each room had its own basic bathroom, it was separate showers down the hallway.  The Paladins had dealt with worse over the years and none of them were about to complain, not after such a warm welcome.

Eventually, the Paladins were led to where their luggage was being organised to go to the hostel.  Matt had offered to oversee it getting to the right rooms and was protecting Pidge’s laptop, so that left the four of them.  The three Paladins had changed in their Lions and Pidge was now coming down the ramp, apparently the last ready.  She had on her ballet pumps again, but this time with one of the aforementioned skirts with built in shorts in black.  They also held a pocket that she slipped her phone into.  Her top was different for her, something her mom had insisted suited her and she didn’t have the heart to argue.  It was a comfortable top, off the shoulder in a loose yet flattering style, and the pattern was that of a galaxy, a million different colours from green to purple crossing her torso with specks of small stones that caught the light as much as any star in real life would.  Keith glanced up as she was brushing down her skirt from placing her phone and his face went slack at how cute she looked, how very practical the outfit but also different enough to make him appreciate it all the more.

‘You’ll catch flies if you leave your mouth open like that.’  Lance said right in his ear, causing Keith to jolt away and brush at the sensation to get rid of it.

‘What the hell, don’t do that!’  Keith shoved at his shoulder.

‘Just tell her she looks great and be done with it.’  Lance shrugged.  ‘We’re going to hit the mall and will see you later.’  With a wink, he and Liliana left, the latter giving a small wave as Pidge smiled apologetically at Keith.

‘Sorry that took so long.’

‘It was worth it.’  Keith held his hand out to her and she took it.  ‘You look gorgeous.’

‘So do you.  Handsome, I mean.’  She glanced over his outfit, trying not to stare, but someone had convinced him to wear black linen shorts with a matching vest and open red short sleeved shirt over the top.  He had even put on sneakers instead of his usual boots.  He looked different but good, definitely good.

‘Thanks.’  He pulled her closer to him and ducked his head, gracing her lips with a soft, lingering kiss that had her give an appreciative murmur, having not realised how much she had missed his touch while burying herself in research.  ‘Let’s make today count.’

‘Count…for what?’  She asked in confusion as he brushed some hair at her temple with his knuckles, paying extra attention to her.

‘Just, count.  Make it memorable.  Date number two.’

She bit her bottom lip, flattered, excited, and worried all at once.  ‘I…’

Keith interrupted her, Matt having warned her she might do this.  ‘No.  You’re not researching today.  Even Allura sent me a message asking me to make sure you take some downtime.  She appreciates all you’ve done so far but eventually it’s too much.  You’re under orders from the leader of Voltron to take today off until tonight’s banquet, with the full backing of both Allura and the Garrison, the latter of which came from your dad.  So no research, no computers unless it’s for video games, and no talking shop.  This is for you and me.’

She wrinkled her nose, knowing Allura had been telling her much the same thing, though she had tagged on the end not to ruin a burgeoning relationship she had been longing for due to her proclivity for overworking.  ‘Yeah, okay.  But can I just run one thing by you?  I’ll stay rooted to this spot so as soon as we move that’s it, game over, no more work.’  She gave him a hopeful look.

He replied with a sigh.  ‘I’ve seen all the messages of information you’ve sent Allura, remember?  I know all there is to know up to date.’

‘But what if I had an epiphany on the flight here?’  She argued halfheartedly, a small smile on her face.

‘Alright, fine, only while you’re standing right there though?  Once you move we’re done and our date is on?’

‘Agreed.’  She reached for her phone to show him something she had been pondering, but he was faster, wrapping his hands around her waist and lifting her with a twirl until she stood on the other side of him.

‘Hey, would you look at that, you moved!’  He grinned while she looked at him in shock.

‘That’s cheating!’  She complained as he took her hand and started leading her away towards the shopping district.  ‘I do actually have something to run by you!’

‘After the date, it will wait that long, I promise.’

‘But…’

He stopped walking and then stopped her talking, cupping her face with his palm he kissed her, teasing strokes of his tongue and caresses of his lips had her breathless in seconds.  When they parted she kept her eyes closed for several extra seconds then sighed in contentment.

‘We can discuss it later when we go to the hostel, but for now I want you all to myself.’

She pressed her lips together, still tasting him on her tongue.  ‘That does sound pretty good.’  She admitted.

‘Then let’s go.  And we can discuss this outfit instead, because it looks amazing on you.’

‘I just can’t believe I get to see your legs.’  She laughed.  ‘Captain Casual Kogane chic.’

‘That coming from the fashionista pigeon is a compliment.’  He laughed.

‘It was meant to be.’  She nudged him with her arm.  ‘And thanks for making me take time away.  And I know it’s Matt you’ve been conspiring with.’

‘Conspiring?’  He asked nervously.  ‘We weren’t conspiring.’

‘Please, considering the pair of you aren’t dumb, you sure aren’t smart enough to mute Black when we’re flying.’

‘Quiznak.’  He muttered under his breath.  ‘So you heard everything?’

‘About how you need to distract me and keep me so busy that I don’t have time to think about anything else?  Yeah I think so.  Also, my brother telling you to “use any means necessary, if you get what I mean”, is kinda weird.’

‘He’s just worried about you.’

‘He can worry about it in private without encouraging my boyfriend to do his best to seduce me away from my research.  Which is why I was fully ready to come out with you instead of cosseting myself on Green and continuing.’

‘At least you agreed, I guess.’  Keith squeezed her hand.  ‘So, I’ve been reliably informed by Lance…’

‘He’s a reliable informant all of a sudden?’  She argued.

‘As he’s our local boy then yes, he is, just this once.  But he told me we should head to a particular shopping district to get outfits for the festival.  He even gave Matt and I the name of some stores that offer the best options for the event.’

‘And we trust he’s actually being helpful and not setting us up to look stupid so he looks better?’

‘You think he has the brain power to think that and be obsessed with Liliana?  You’re giving him too much credit.’

‘Fair point.  Carry on.’

‘So I think we should go all out, stun them with how we look and show Lance we can be just as Cuba as him, if not more.’

‘Let’s do it.’  She grinned.  She could think of worse shopping trips to go on, and with her and Keith looking for matching outfits, this could be fun.

Notes:

Next Up! Keith and Lance, in a store, S H O P P I N G!

Chapter 63: Shopping

Summary:

Shopping for the parade and festival!

Notes:

It's Sunday again! A morning of grocery delivery, and food prep! It's about done so I'm rewarding myself by posting a chapter! Then I'm going to go rest on my bed again because jfc I hurt 🤣

It just so happened that the first store Keith and Pidge entered was the exact same one that Liliana and Lance were in, comparing a shirt Lance had chosen to so many dresses that Liliana’s head spun.

‘Okay, as much as I hate to admit it, your timing couldn’t have been better.’  Lance sighed.  ‘Which one?  To compliment the shirt.’

Pidge looked over the two dresses Liliana held, both floral with straps and skirts that would flare when you danced, Lance’s shirt a loud blue with tropical flower details.  ‘Neither.’

‘Why did I bother asking you?’  Lance took the dresses from Liliana and slammed them back on the rack before moving on to another.  ‘You wouldn’t know fashion if it…’

‘Unless you want to get Jameson’d choose your next words carefully.’  Pidge interrupted before going to another rack, Keith laughing behind her.

‘We’re making Jameson’d a verb now?’

‘If the piss stained pants fit.’  She shrugged.  ‘Liliana, what kind of dress are you looking for?’

Liliana had left her jacket behind and was wearing a wide strapped camisole in cream with her pale grey skater style skirt that was part of the suit.  ‘I like this style, it just doesn’t match the shirt that apparently Lance can’t leave the store without.’

‘So pick something you like, don’t be held back by his decision.’

‘What about you?’

‘I don’t know.’  Pidge admitted.  ‘I’m going to wear cycle shorts under whatever I choose anyway.  I don’t exactly sit like a lady all the time and I have better things to think about than who I’m flashing my underwear.’  She glanced up to see Keith go red and cover his face with his hand, suddenly very interested in the rack behind him.

‘Are you sticking with your trademark green?’  Liliana held out a dress in a mint colour with small pink flowers and Pidge wrinkled her nose.

‘I mean, it’s pretty and all, but I think I like bold colours better.’

‘Agreed.  They suit you very well.’  She indicated to her blouse.

‘Lance, if you like the shirt get it anyway and choose another one for tonight.’  Keith called over his suggestion.

‘And have you get the same shirt and impress everyone instead of me doing so?  I don’t think so.’

‘I don’t want your stupid shirt.’  Keith rolled his eyes and wandered off, leaving the girls to laugh at their interaction.

‘You know, that gives me an idea.’  Liliana leant into Pidge.  ‘How would you feel about surprising them both with our new outfits?’

‘You mean shop together?’

‘Lance asked me on a date and I would like to surprise him, would you help me?’  Liliana whispered and a grin spread across Pidge’s face.

‘I’m kinda on a date with Keith right now but I’m sure I can get out of it.  Give me a sec.’

Pidge skipped off through the rails to find Keith while Liliana wondered if she had just spoiled their day somehow.

‘Hey.’  Pidge reached him as he pulled out a red and white checked shirt, holding it out to show her.  ‘I like it, but maybe go for something a little more daring.’

‘Daring?’  He smiled at her in surprise.  ‘I don’t know if I wear daring.’

‘You wore a red cropped jacket with yellow and white trim, I’m sure you’ll manage.’  She laughed.  ‘I have a favour to ask.’

‘Is this about your research?’  He gave her a firm look and it made her laugh.

‘This time, no.  Lance asked Liliana on a date…’

‘Finally!’  Keith glanced over the racks to see Lance discarding another dress.  ‘Where do we come in?’

‘Liliana asked me to help her find something to wow him.’

‘And you want to know if you can go off with her to find something.’  He filled in the gaps.  ‘I don’t mind, if it’s okay with you.  We can meet back up for lunch?’

‘It’s really okay?’  She double checked.  ‘Because this is only our second date and I don’t want to derail things.’

‘Can I be honest?’  Keith stepped closer until their bodies almost touched.  ‘I’m hoping if you do maybe you’ll wow me with your dress choice.’

‘Really?’  Pidge hadn’t even considered that fact.  ‘I’m sure I can come up with something to surprise you.  In a good way.’

‘I know you can.’  He bowed his head and kissed her softly.  ‘Go now, I’ll tell Lance.’

‘I’ll call you when we’re done.’  She kissed him back.

‘I look forward to it.’

Pidge darted back through the racks and took Liliana’s hand, pulling her with her.  ‘We’re in the clear, let’s go!’

‘Oh, okay!’  Liliana followed her, sparing a glance back which revealed Lance watching them go with a look of confusion on his face as Keith approached him.

‘Hey, Pidge is kidnapping my date!’  Lance complained as he watched them leave the store.

‘They want to surprise us with new outfits.’  Keith explained as he reached him.  ‘And, if I’m honest with you, I could use your guidance.’

Lance looked at him suspiciously.  ‘You’re asking for my help?’

Keith shrugged.  ‘Yeah.  Who better to ask than you to help?  We’re literally in your back yard.’

‘I am the expert, it’s true.’  Lance looked thoughtful as he rubbed his chin.  ‘Yeah, okay.  I’ll help you.’

‘And what do you want in return?’

He gave Keith a disgusted look.  ‘What makes you think I’m not doing this out of the goodness of my heart?’

‘Because you don’t like me that much.’

Lance opened his mouth to argue but then thought better of it.  ‘I do like you, for the record, but I would appreciate you helping me out in return.’

‘With what?’

‘With Liliana.’  He headed back towards the mens racks to distract himself more than anything.  ‘If you could, I don’t know, talk me up a bit to Liliana if you get the chance.  I just don’t want to blow this.’  Keith gave a small laugh, earning him a glare.  ‘This isn’t funny.’

‘It kind of is.  Lancey Lance the king of romance is nervous about a date.’

Lance screwed up his entire face at the name.  ‘Yeah, because this is important!  I like her, a lot, and I’ll be damned if I’m going screw this up by doing something stupid.’

‘Lance,’ Keith stopped his frantic looking through the rack of shirts with a hand on his shoulder, ‘just be yourself.  Liliana seems to really like you, for some reason, and I think it’s going to take a lot to change her mind on that.  Just…don’t do or say anything cheesy.  Be honest, genuine.  She likes you for you.’

Keith watched as Lance swallowed hard, his face clouding with worry.  ‘What if that’s not enough?’ 

‘What’s not enough?  A multi-galaxy saving hero who is such a genuinely great guy he’s worrying about a date he hasn’t even had yet?  I don’t think that’s the problem.’

‘Then what do you think is the problem, genius?’  He pulled out a shirt and handed it to Keith.

‘I think the problem is you’re overthinking.  You want it to go right so you’re focusing on everything that could go wrong.  You’re doomsday prepping for your date.  How about you focus on what good could come out of this instead?’

Lance ran his hand over his face and into his hair.  ‘Does that work?’

‘Worked for me.’  Keith shrugged.

‘You…were worried about dating Pidge?’

‘Terrified.  Why do you think it took me so long to ask her out?  To actually kiss her?  It took Kosmo literally shoving her into my arms while we were in bed together for me to take that chance.  I spent so long worrying about what could happen if I ruined what we already have, if my actions would ruin our friendship, hell, even ruin Voltron.  But she’s worth the risk.  If I didn’t try, if I didn’t give Pidge and I a try, I would never forgive myself.  And that’s what it comes down to.  Take a risk, it might be the best thing you ever do.’

Lance looked at him for a long moment before a small smile quirked one side of his lips.  ‘Did we just have a bonding moment?’

Keith rolled his eyes but laughed.  ‘Nah, it’s all in your head.’

Notes:

Next time! Liliana and Pidge shop!

Chapter 64: Girl Bonding

Summary:

Pidge and Liliana have a bonding moment! Actually, they just shop together, and Pidge has Lil's back!

Notes:

I just finished chapter 87 and we are still in Washington on tour! I still haven't got them back to the garrison to deal with the Altean, but that will be coming! Now I'm off to bed and hoping for a day with less pain tomorrow because it is debilitating at the moment. Sure, it means I can't do much but sit and write, but I'm getting twitches in my hands that is making writing/typing harder, so I'm frustrating myself! Wish me luck!

‘You really think Lance will like it?’  Liliana asked as she and Pidge left the stall where they had brought some fresh iced lemonade.  ‘Because it’s not my usual style.’

‘I think if he doesn’t like it I’ll slap him until he does because he obviously has some kind of brain injury that’s stopping him from seeing it.’  Pidge spoke around her straw before taking another long drink.  The sun was high and she was glad she had slathered herself in high factor sunscreen.  She hadn’t lied when she said she and the outdoors didn’t get along.  ‘And the whole outfit is cute as quiznak.  The shoes, the hair clip, add in the dress, stunning.’

Liliana let out a relieved sigh.  ‘I’m glad.  And I’m glad you found something too.’

‘It feels weird to like a dress.’  She laughed.  ‘But it’s reasonable and not too flashy.  I think I can cope with that.’

‘It looked lovely on you.  Keith will be floored, especially if he’s not used to seeing you in something like that.’

‘I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.’  She laughed.  ‘He’s used to seeing me, well, not like that.’

‘Knowing the very small amount I do about the two of you and how Keith seems to feel for you, you could show up in a paper bag and he would say you are the most beautiful girl in the world.  Of course, what do I know, I haven’t known you a week yet.’  She winked.

‘Actually, that means more than anything anyone who knows us well could.  If some virtual stranger can tell that easily, then it’s not just someone trying to placate us in some way.’

‘Weirdly that makes sense.’  Liliana nodded as they passed a stall of brightly coloured hats.

‘I can make weird make so much sense you’ll question reality.’  Pidge grinned.

‘That I don’t doubt.’  Liliana tapped her cup against Pidge’s.

‘What are we clinking glasses for?’

‘To us, of course.  We’ll be the big standouts at tomorrow night’s festival.  Belle’s of the ball.’

‘Nah, that’s a few nights away still, and don’t start me on ballgown anxiety.’

‘You want to talk anxiety, Lance wants me to get a swimsuit.’

‘Pervert.’  Pidge laughed.  ‘For any reason or just because it’s the closest he can get you to being in your underwear around him?’

‘Stop!’  Liliana nudged her with a giggle.  ‘He wants to take me to a beach in the morning.’

‘Varadero?  He’s been talking about going back there for years so I’m not surprised that’s one of his first stops.’

‘Was he often homesick?  Were any of you?  I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been.’  Liliana gauged her expression, hoping it wasn’t too sensitive a subject.

‘We all were, I think.  Except Keith maybe.  Shiro was home to him and he was used to moving around after losing his dad.  Lance has a big family and they were everything to him.  As much as he loved being a space hero he missed being a son, brother, and uncle more.  Hunk missed his family and food too.  Allura lost everything other than Coran and the castleship, and then we lost that.  I was so focused on finding Dad and Matt that by the time we found them both I was in so deep I just wanted the universe to be safe for them, for Mom, and Bae Bae.’

‘Bae Bae?’

‘My dog.’  Pidge laughed, pulling out her phone and showing Liliana.  ‘Bestest baby girl ever.’

‘She looks beautiful.  Best girl, definitely.’

‘Oh, hold up.’  Pidge pulled up her camera and made Liliana pose for a selfie with their drinks and bags of shopping.  ‘I’ve been doing a blog of pics.  Gonna call this a Cuban girl date, if that’s okay with you?’

‘Why not?’  Liliana smiled.  ‘Sometimes you just need some time away from the men, as much as we might like them.’

‘I hear ya.’  Pidge toasted her with her cup, taking another drink.  ‘You know, I think I’m going to be up all night, if the amount of sugar in this lemonade is anything to go by.’

‘Maybe we’ll need some tomorrow to get through the festival.’  Liliana laughed to herself.  ‘They apparently run very late.’

‘I can handle late.’  She shrugged.  ‘Socialising, now that’s where the problem lies.’

‘People can be hard work at times.’  Liliana agreed.

‘A lot of the time.  Give me a computer and I will spend hours entertaining myself.  Put me in a room of people and I’ll spend the entire time looking for the exit.  Or a computer.’

‘We all have our preferences.’

‘You mean like your preference for sharpshooting lanky long legged Lance?’

‘And what about yours for your brooding leader?’  They teased one another and burst out laughing.

‘Yeah, okay.  You have a point.  Life would be boring if we were all the same.’

‘To our differences.’  Liliana raised her cup again.

‘To you having your first date with Lance in a bathing suit.’  Pidge grinned, and Liliana’s buoyant mood suddenly sobered.

Liliana grabbed Pidge’s arm and stopped them both, her eyes wide.  ‘Oh my God, what am I thinking?’

‘You’re thinking you’re going to make that man’s dreams come true in more ways than one.’  Pidge pulled her towards a store that seemed to have what they would need.  ‘Varadero beach and a beautiful girl he’s crushing on in a bikini?  You’ll be lucky if he can speak a coherent sentence.’

‘Bikini?  We said swimsuit!’

‘And if you show up in a bikini instead then you will truly blow his mind.  Come on, you got the bod, show a little skin for the poor little Cuban boy!  If you want to, of course.’

‘Maybe if I have a coverup of some sort I can build up my confidence as I get used to wearing it?’

‘Honestly, he’s just going to be grateful you’re there with him.’  Pidge waved off her worry before going to the two pieces.  ‘He’s always been a flirt but he is such a soft boy and family oriented I always wondered if it was a front or an act.  What’s your favourite colour?’

‘Lilac, but I think I’m a bit pale to pull it off.’  Liliana followed her through the racks of swim wear which varied from sensible to skimpy.

‘Okay, I’ll take that on board.’  Pidge nodded sagely.

‘Will you get one?’

‘A bathing suit?’  Pidge wrinkled her nose.  ‘I don’t really have any reason to.’

‘Maybe if you did you could join Lance and I tomorrow on a double date?’  Liliana suggested as Pidge picked out a deep purple triangle bikini with lilac lilies on it and held it up for her.  ‘And have Lance ream us for crashing?  I don’t think so.  There’s a wrap around skirt to go with it.’

‘It’s nice, but I think I need a bit more support.’  Liliana glanced down at her own breasts and back at the small quantity of material, certain they were a bad match.

‘So, like, wired?  Pidge asked as she put it back.  ‘And briefs?  Shorts?’

‘Briefs is fine, wired for preference.’  Liliana glanced around hoping to find something that matched her very cloudy vision of what would suit her.

‘Ooo, this one!’  Pidge pulled out a wired bikini with briefs, purple tie dye with lilac and pink accents.

‘Okay, I do like that one, but won’t you even consider coming with us?’  Liliana found her size in the bikini and hooked the hanger over her finger.

‘I can’t do that to Lance.’  Pidge shook her head.  ‘But, I might be able to compromise.  Keith and I don’t have plans, and they all seem to want me to take a break instead of working myself into an early grave, for some reason.’  She joked.  ‘Give me a minute.’  She pulled up the internet on her wrist computer and looked at what there was on offer around Varadero beach, finding several resorts.  Their activities ranged from spa treatments to water sports and she could probably convince Keith to go along, as they had nothing else planned yet.  They could be near enough to Liliana and Lance that if for any reason they wanted backup, they were there, but also far enough away not to encroach on them.  Not that she knew what backup they might want.  A bolster of some sort?  Someone to break the tension?  Still, they could offer.  She pulled out her phone and called Keith, looking through the rails as she went, hoping for something she wouldn’t mind being seen in public in.  Or, more accurately, wouldn’t mind being seen by Keith in.

‘Hey, you.’  His voice alone made her smile, her stomach fluttering excitedly.  ‘How’s the shopping going?’

‘So far so good.’  She looked across at Liliana who was holding up a short lilac kaftan, and Pidge gave her a thumbs up.  ‘I have a question though.’

‘No working.’  He said automatically, making her laugh.

‘No, stupid, it’s about tomorrow morning.  Do you want to do something?  With me?  I have an idea and I think it would help Liliana out too.’

Keith sighed.  ‘Are we third and fourth wheeling on their date?’

‘Nope.  Though close by so that she knows we’re there if we need her, kind of like a buffer, I think.  I know he’s taking her to Varadero beach, which is great for them, but I was thinking we could hit one of the nearby resorts, do some water sports or just relax or something?’

‘That…actually sounds really appealing.’  Keith agreed, pleasantly surprised by her suggestion.  ‘Did you have somewhere in mind specifically?’

‘I actually have a webpage open at the moment and I can book us in for an all inclusive day pass; food, drink, and activities up the wazoo.’

‘Well, if it’s up the wazoo, how can I refuse?’

She laughed.  ‘You know what I mean!  But it also means you should pick up something to swim in or at least lounge by the water in, just in case.’

Keith turned his back on where Lance was trying on sunglasses, lowering his voce.  ‘Are you picking up something?’

‘Mmmaybe.’  She said teasingly.  ‘I think it could be fun.’

‘Alright, you’re on.  And on this date you aren’t abandoning me with Lance.’

‘I wouldn’t dare.’  She grinned.  ‘I think we will probably be finished shopping after this store.  How about you guys?’

‘Well, Lance has tried on nearly every accessory known to man, so I’d say we must be nearly through.’

‘Good luck dragging him away.  Find out where he wants to meet and ping me the address.  We’ll see you there in, say, half an hour?’

‘Sounds good.’

‘See you later.’  She hung up, her eye being caught by a two piece crop top and shorts combo.  With the right add ons, she could probably get away with it and not feel too self-conscious.

‘I think that would really suit you.’  Liliana, having picked out some flip-flops to match her outfit, had come up behind Pidge while she was hanging up her call.

‘I think so too.’  She glanced up at her.  ‘And you look about finished.’

‘I want to get a vest and shorts too, but so far I’m pretty happy.’

‘Awesome.  I told the guys we’ll be ready to meet them in about half an hour, so I guess we should get a move on.’

‘I guess we should.’  Liliana paused, glancing down at the floor then back up again.  ‘Before we do, though, I just want to thank you.  For being so welcoming and accepting of me.  I know you’re a tight knit team, but you’ve really helped me find my way in what is a new environment for me.’

Pidge waved away her thanks.  ‘You’re welcome, but it’s okay.  You’ve helped us too.  And to show my gratitude I’ve arranged with Keith for us to be at a resort on the beach where you’re heading tomorrow so we’re close enough if you need us but out of sight so you don’t have to see us.’

Liliana blinked in surprise.  ‘You did that for me?’

Pidge shrugged.  ‘We don’t have to interact unless the two of you want to, but also if you want to join us for some pampering, the offer is open.’

‘Can I hug you?’  Liliana asked hesitantly.

‘I…guess?’  Pidge looked confused.  ‘If you want.’

Liliana gave her a quick squeeze before letting her go, feeling awkward but oh so grateful at the same time.  ‘Thank you, seriously.  You don’t know how much it means to have been accepted by you all, and you continue to surprise me with your generous spirit.  You are all truly worthy of the title hero.’

‘That’s a bit dramatic, but I appreciate hearing it, and the rest of the team would too.’

‘And to save embarrassing you any further, let’s finish our shopping.’  Liliana suggested, and Pidge agreed.  Shopping suddenly seeming like a good idea.

Notes:

Coming Soon! (tomorrow, actually!) Keith doesn't do cute nicknames...or does he? Plus! Cuban rum!

Chapter 65: So Hardcore

Summary:

Keith and Pidge pregame...badly!

Notes:

Morning all! it's 8am here, I am in agony, had a shitty night, so I plan on spending my day writing while sitting on a heatpad with a huge fan running to stop me passing out! Must remember to shower later because I'm venturing out of the house tomorrow! Eek!

After sharing a lunch of tapas and fending off one another’s attempts and sneaking peeks at their purchases, it was finally time to head to their hostel.  The Paladins had one floor, Liliana and Matt another.  Each room was equipped with a double bed, armchair, small dresser, and hanging rail, and bathroom containing a toilet and sink.  It was obvious it had been turned around quickly from a bunk room, given the markings on the floor, but they were grateful for the hospitality.  Further down the hallway there were separate shower rooms, containing their own sink and toilet, as though to prove the place was meant for more than three people.  Each room also contained a small care package with local snacks, and a mini fridge with some local beverages, both alcoholic and non, and bottled water.  Even the air conditioning seemed newer than the building itself, which had had a new coat of paint too.

Pidge was tired of wearing her Garrison dress uniform.  Tired of smiling for dignitaries.  Tired of small talk.  What she wasn’t too tired of was spending time like she had this morning.  Spending time with Liliana was fun, shopping for something to surprise Keith with was fun, and eating out like four normal people was fun.  Tonight wouldn’t be fun.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a long moment, wishing for the night to be over.  She would rather stay here and research than sit through another boring state function.  Hell, she would rather have an early night and get nothing done.  At least if she slept she would wake up to a new day to be spent with Keith.  And who knew, she might be able to sneak some research in if she pretended she was reading a book on her wrist computer…maybe she would try it and see, if they found themselves at a loose end.  Sunbathing and research.  Not a combo she had ever considered herself looking forward to, but here she was.

There were three firm knocks and she knew it would be Keith before she answered, having arranged with him to come for her when he was ready, though admittedly he was early.  Not that she minded in the slightest.  She would spend any additional time with him she could.

‘Hey.’  He smiled at her before leaning down and kissing her gently.  ‘I figured as we have a little extra time before we get picked up for this evening, we could have a little private get together of our own.’  He pulled out from behind his back a bottle of Cuban white rum and two bottles of coke in one hand, two glasses in the other.  ‘I don’t know much about rum, but it’s meant to be good, and I figured you can’t go wrong with coke.’

She couldn’t help but laugh.  ‘Sounds like a good idea to me.’  She let him in and they sat on her bed, Pidge holding the glasses while Keith poured.  He was more generous with the coke than the rum, which suited Pidge just fine, and he clinked the rim of his glass against hers.  ‘To surviving another official dinner.’  He said as he brought his glass to his lips.

‘To losing my rum virginity.’  She replied, taking a sip as he choked on what he had drunk.  ‘You good?’  She looked at him as the warmth of the alcohol coated her throat, and he nodded rapidly.

‘You got me with rum virginity.’  He coughed and cleared his throat a few times before taking another sip.  ‘Not a phrase I ever thought I would hear in my life.’

‘Not one I ever thought I would utter.  Sorry.’  She smiled, swirling the liquid in her glass.

He shook his head.  ‘It’s all good.  I know it wasn’t deliberate.’

They sat quietly for another moment before Keith asked; ‘Did you try and do any research once we got back?’

She narrowed her eyes at him.  ‘Depends.  Am I going to get a telling off for doing it, or are we going to have a grown up conversation about it?’

Keith laughed.  ‘Grown up conversation.’

‘A bit.’  She admitted with a sigh.  ‘Not as much as I would have liked, but I think I’m finally coming to the end of what I can get done here without seeing the Altean in person.’

‘Do you think there’s something you can do there that you can’t here?’

‘I don’t know.’  She shrugged.  ‘Maybe, with Allura, she can try some things and I can monitor it in a way the infirmary can’t.’

‘And what if the quintessence can jump hosts?’  He gave her a look that conveyed all the worry he was feeling.

‘Then I trust that Allura is strong enough to prevent it.’

His lips twitched into a small smile at her trust in the companion.  ‘Will you let me be there, when you try?’

‘Outside the room, sure.’  She nodded.  ‘I think we need to have as few options for the quintessence to potentially jump to as possible.’

‘I hate that you have a point.’  He took another sip.  ‘How is this so strong when it’s mostly coke?’

‘Aw, my Keithy Weithy can’t handle his alcohol.’  She teased and he gave her a raised eyebrow.

‘Keithy Weithy?’

‘Koganey-waney?’

He shook his head and took her drink from her, placing both of them on the dresser behind her.  ‘Try again.’

‘Cute Kogane?  The black pala-sin?’  She could barely keep a straight face by this point, her cheeks hurting with the urge to grin.

‘Nope.’  He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer.  ‘Though I don’t mind the sin part.’

‘You were built for it.’  She murmured just before his lips took hers in a passionate kiss.

It had been too long since they had been able to do this, so long that it had Keith’s stomach tied up in knots of excitement as her tongue fought his for dominance.  His body seemed to move of its own accord as he turned and put one knee on the bed, pulling her with him until she lay below him, her knees framing his torso.  They broke the kiss for a moment, Keith’s expression serious enough that it made Pidge’s heart beat even faster, and he swept his knuckles over her cheek.  She couldn’t help but lean into it, closing her eyes and enjoying his touch, and when he opened his palm to cup her cheek, her eyes found his again.

‘Katie, I…’

‘Five minute til the car gets here, pigeon!’  Matt called from the other side of the door, stopping whatever Keith was going to say as he closed his eyes and bowed his head.

Pidge leant up and kissed his cheek, giving him a sympathetic smile.  ‘I guess we should get going.’

‘I guess so.’  He agreed, getting off the bed and taking both her hands to draw her up after him.  ‘Do you want to finish your drink?’

‘Just one more sip, maybe?  Cuban courage.’

‘Or an elixir to get us through another long night.’  He offered her her glass once more and they clinked rims before taking a hearty slug, both coughing slightly afterwards.

‘We’re so hardcore.’  Pidge spoke though her throat was tight and it showed.

‘Damn right.’  Keith coughed one more time before they both gave up their glasses and headed for the door.

Notes:

These two are just not used to earthly alcohol!!

Coming next! Lance turns on the charm!

Chapter 66: Lucky Lips Lance

Summary:

Lance does NOT want a third and fourth wheel!

Notes:

Evening all! So, you might have seen on Tumblr, if you follow me, that I finally tried my hand at writing again. If not, I did a copy drawing of Pidge, it didn't turn out too bad, so maybe I'll try something on my ipad. IDK. that's new to me and I'm old, so, I'll see how I get on! But my hands behaved mostly, though I was glad I had an eraser! I'm proud of myself for trying and even for posting it, but I'm still sure I will hate it by morning!

The state dinner was boring, which also meant uneventful, and they had to take small mercies where they could.  The food was good, that couldn’t be denied, but a lot of the topics were intergalactic politics rather than Voltron itself.  Sure, it was a change of topic, but it was a change for the worse.  They finally got back to their hostel at just past eleven pm, each one crashing hard.

Lance managed to wake up bright and early, the anticipation of his date giving him more energy than any coffee could.  He dressed in blue board shorts and a white vest with his new favourite shirt over the top, and sliders on his feet, a bag of supplies by his side.  He ordered breakfast of coffee and pastries for two from the little cafe next door that was providing the catering for the hostel, and didn’t have long to wait until Liliana joined him, and wow, did she look adorable.  She had chosen her outfit carefully, her bikini on under a white vest and pleated blue skirt.  Lance couldn’t speak for a moment, but managed to get to his feet and hold the chair out for her.  By the time he sat again he had rediscovered the language centre of his brain and was happy to try and string a sentence together.

‘You look amazing.’  He poured her a coffee and slid the plate of pastries towards her.  ‘Like, super awesome.  Beach ready.’

‘As ready as I will ever be.’  She said after thanking him for her coffee.  ‘I’ve never been to a tropical beach before.’

‘You’ll never go back, once you see it.’  Lance explained.  ‘Blue sea as far as you can, well, see, white sand, it’s just beautiful.  Not as beautiful as you, of course.’  He tried to lean his chin on his hand, his elbow on the table, but caught the edge instead and his head jolted down.  Liliana looked away, trying not to laugh and not wanting to embarrass him.

‘Your new shirt looks lovely.  You were right, it suits you.’

‘I know what looks good on me.’  He brushed imaginary lint from his sleeve.  ‘And I know that looks good on you.  Don’t think you can ignore my compliment because you’re just going to get more until you acknowledge it.’

Liliana blushed faintly.  ‘Alright, thank you.  It’s a little out of my comfort zone, but when in Rome, or in this case, Havana, I suppose.  I’m glad you like it though.’

He leant towards her, making sure to catch her eye line.  ‘Do you like it?  That’s what’s important.’

She sighed softly, a warm smile on her face.  ‘I really do.’

‘Good.  Now, eat up, we’ve got a busy day ahead of us.’

‘What’s up, loser?’  Pidge came around the corner, wearing her green playsuit, sandals, sunglasses, and a large sun hat.  Close behind her was Keith, wearing a white vest, red surf shorts, and the canvas shoes he had bought under Lance’s advisement.

‘Oh, no.’  Lance shook his head firmly.  ‘You two are not invading our beach date, you can go find yourself another beach.

‘Excuse you, peasant, we’re going to a resort.’  Pidge stole one of the pastries from between Lance and Liliana.  ‘Not just some beach.’

‘Varadero is not just some beach.’  Lance argued.  ‘It is the beach.  White sandy shores, crystal blue sea…’

‘And tourists as far as the eye can see.  Looking good, Lil.’  Pidge winked.  ‘Sure you wanna stick to the cheap seats with this guy?’

‘I’m committed to it.’  Liliana laughed.

‘I am not cheap.’  Lance crossed his arms and slouched in his seat.

‘Relax, she’s teasing.’  Keith patted his shoulder as they went to the counter.  ‘We’re not stealing your date…unless she wants to be.’

‘Hey!’  Lance yelled after him, his indignance so clear that Liliana couldn’t help but laugh, echoed by Pidge at the counter.

‘I appreciate the offer, but I’ll pass.’  Liliana patted Lance’s hand on the table before picking up her coffee, letting him know she wasn’t about to abandon him.  The small gesture had him smile and straighten again in his seat.

‘So, a resort, huh?’  Lance turned enough to look at the two fixing their coffee in takeaway cups.

‘Yup, fancy food and water sports, all the way.’  Pidge stroked her hands through the air in demonstration, one after the other.  ‘Spa treatments if we want them, and no politicians to schmooze.’

‘You’re too cute.’  Keith wrapped his arm around her from behind and kissed the top of her head.

‘I’m just making the most of it.’  She leant her head back and smiled up at him.

‘Still cute.’

‘Let’s get moving.’  She held Keith’s arm to her waist and pulled him along, attached to her back, making him laugh.

‘We’re not going to get anywhere fast like this.’

‘Boring.’  She took his hand instead and turned her attention to Liliana with a wink.  ‘Remember what I said yesterday.’

‘I won’t forget.’  Liliana promised with a grateful smile.

‘Later, Lucky Lips Lance!’

Lance facepalmed as Pidge yelled the latter, leading Keith away towards where they had left the Lions.

‘I do like Pidge.’  Liliana watched them go, Lance raising his head to look at her, a small smile of genuine pleasure on her face.  ‘We had a great time yesterday.’

‘I’m glad you had fun, but it will be nothing compared to today.’

‘I can’t wait, honestly.’  She said wholeheartedly, and Lance smiled.

‘Then let’s get breakfast out of the way and on our way to paradise.’

Somehow, Liliana knew that if anyone was going to take her to paradise, it was Lance McClain.

Notes:

Next! Pidge and Keith reach the resort!

Chapter 67: Resort

Summary:

Joining Pidge and Keith during their resort day!

Notes:

So I realised about ten minutes earlier that I've been spelling yalmor wrong! I was putting yelmore, when it's yalmore, thank you internet! I was looking for another species and realised my error, so that has been changed! And there are far less on the list than I would like so I guess I'll be making some up 🤣

Also, I wanted to say because I'm not sure if I did, that I started writing this before season 8, and have incorporated parts of season 8 that work and changed things that don't, so it's not quiiiittteeee in line with canon, but that's the joy of fanfiction, right?

Pidge’s family had tended to do road trips for vacations as she grew up, visiting various museums, botanical gardens, with the odd theme park thrown in.  Occasionally they would have a beach day, but she had only ever seen resorts on TV shows.  She wasn’t expecting to be waited on hand and foot from the moment they walked in.  They were whisked into a light, airy dining room with both outdoor and indoor seating, crisp white linens, and shining silverware.  They were handed breakfast menus, served local fruit juice and coffee, then greeted by the hotel manager.  Pidge then realised it was perhaps not standard service but to do with their status.  He had taken it upon himself to reserve them a cabana beside the pool which had automated shade at the touch of a button, loungers on the beach, full service food and drinks on request, and so many water sports they weren’t sure where to start.

They ate breakfast, keeping it light with fruit and pastries, and decided to start easily sitting by the pool.  Technology had blessed the human race with booths that applied adequate sun screen depending on skin type at resorts such as this, and they were soon seated on the sides of their loungers, looking out over the two pools, the swim up bar, and entrance to the beach.

‘What do you want to do first?’  Pidge passed the brochure to Keith where he sat opposite her.

‘Once we’re sure breakfast is settled we could swim.’  He suggested.  ‘Going for a walk can help digestion and we have the beach right there.’

‘You sound like Shiro.’  She smirked as she took off her sunglasses, her hat offering adequate shade for now.  ‘All responsible for my digestive tract.’

‘Someone has to be.’  He leant forward and poked her to one side of her stomach, and she flinched away.

‘I’m a grown up with autonomy over my own gut, thank you!’  She couldn’t help but laugh.  ‘A walk does sound good though.’

‘Come on then.’  He stood and held his hand out to her, leaving their shoes behind and walking down the slope to the beach.  The walked through the warm sand to the water’s edge and began to walk parallel to the shore, their feet leaving prints in the damp sand.  ‘Are you looking forward to tonight?’  He looked down, finding her looking at her feet and all he could see was the top and brim of her hat.  ‘Are you under there?’

She looked up and grinned at him.  ‘Somewhere.  And tonight?  More than last night.  This is more mingling with the crowds and seeing the culture, which is more fun than the stuffy dinner was or ever will be.’

‘Agreed.’  He nodded, putting his hand in his pocket.

‘And every time we do one of these events we’re one step closer to going back to the Garrison.’

‘You are really itching to get back and work on that Altean, aren’t you?’  He gave her a knowing smile.

‘That, and touring Earth isn’t as interesting as touring the universes.  Every stop had more tech for me to dig into.’  She kicked lightly at the water lapping over her toes.

‘You think this tour hasn’t been exciting?’  He laughed softly.  ‘We destroyed a Galra ship, took a king and queen for a ride in Black, had our first and second dates, and you electrocuted our envoy.’

‘Okay, the dates were, and are, exciting.  But the rest is just background noise in comparison.’  She shrugged, giving him a sideways smile.

‘I’m flattered.’  He pulled on her hand so she faced him, taking both her hands in his.  ‘I didn’t realise I was that interesting.’

‘Are you kidding?  You’re the most interesting thing on this beach.’  She swung their hands slightly before pulling hers backwards so Keith had to step closer, and she stole a quick kiss.  ‘But we do need to decide what we’re going to do while we’re here.’

‘I’ll argue that first point later.  But what about paddle boarding?’

‘Sounds good.  It looks relaxing, and not too hard.’

‘Walk a little further then go sign up?’  He suggested.

‘I have a better idea.’  She grinned, taking hold of the lapels of his shirt and pulling him down into a kiss.

Keith was pleasantly surprised by her taking such initiative, her lips soft yet insistent against his as he replied in kind.  His hands found her waist and pulled her against him, hers wrapping around his shoulders as though she couldn’t get close enough.  His tongue stroked her lips and she parted them immediately, allowing him to taste her, to be tasted in return, one of her hands sliding into his hair.  He could feel the heat of her body through her playsuit, the material so flimsy that it made his body respond as though it weren’t there at all.  He slowed the kiss, not wanting to make things awkward for her, at least not as awkward as it felt for him in that moment, and drew back just far enough to rest his forehead on hers, eyes closed and breathing heavy.

‘We should go rent that paddle board.’  He murmured against the background of gently crashing waves.

‘Uh huh.’  She murmured, unable to resist stealing another kiss.  ‘Let’s go.’  She said quietly, taking his hand and leading him back to the resort.  It was at that point that he realised he would follow her anywhere.

Notes:

Coming up! The first Lilance date!

Chapter 68: Varadero Beach

Summary:

Lance and Lil's date!

Notes:

morning all. Not feeling it this morning. I know my pain is beyond imagination when it encroaches on my dreams. It did that this morning and I woke up unable to move, I was in so much agony. When I finally did manage to get up I fell on the floor. So yeah. bad day for me. So I will be resting today and I'm going to write if/when I can in between playing Baldur's Gate 3 with my girls. We have an origin run to finish!

‘You were not wrong.  This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.’  Liliana sighed at the view before her, just as Lance had described, perhaps better.  The surf was gentle, lapping against the white sandy shore with soft noises that would be perfect for lulling you into an afternoon nap.  Liliana slipped off her flip-flops and stepped onto the sand in the shade of Red.  The Lion had attracted a small amount of attention and Lance was posing for one last selfie before returning to Liliana for their bags and, he took a risk, her hand.

She was happy to allow Lance to lead her, taking them down to a pair of loungers with a grass umbrella over them, close enough to the shoreline to be convenient but far enough away not to risk getting wet unintentionally.

‘This is our base of operations.’  Lance said as he spread two towels over the padded loungers.  ‘We can get food and drinks from the beachside cafe just over there,’ he pointed, ‘and I also brought some bottles of water and snacks.  What do you think?’

‘I think this is an amazing place for a first date.  You have outdone yourself, truly.’  She put her bag down between the loungers.  ‘Is there anything you want to do specifically, while we’re here?’

‘I gotta swim.’  He grinned at her.  ‘We get our lotion on, don’t wanna burn, let it soak in, then hit the water.  Is that okay with you?’

‘A swim sounds wonderful.’  She agreed, shimmying out of her skirt and pulling her vest over her head, folding them methodically and taking out her coverup, which meant she missed Lance staring at her in wonder.  Pidge had told Liliana to just bite the bullet and be confident, everyone on the beach was in swimwear, and she wasn’t wrong.  It was another reason Liliana missed his awestruck face.  She was trying very hard not to pay attention to the fact she was as good as in her underwear not only in public, but in front of Lance.  She went about applying sunscreen to her arms, stomach, and legs, while Lance sat down opposite her and tried to get over his absolute fascination.  It took him a good minute before he shook his head and reached for his own sunscreen, forcing himself to concentrate on not missing any spots.  In his mind all he could think of was the fact he was going to offer to lotion Liliana’s back.  He was nervous, this was so new, but it was a date and wasn’t that the point of them?  To work through that nervousness?

‘You, uh, missed a spot.’  Liliana pointed towards Lance’s chest and he glanced down, finding a solid streak of lotion across his chest.

‘So I did.’  He laughed and rubbed it in.  ‘Do you want a hand?  With your back?’

‘It might be an idea, if we’re going to be in the sea.  The reflection off the water can burn you so fast.  And I can do yours too, if that’s alright?’

‘Totally fine.  And good.’  Lance agreed, patting the lounger beside him for her to join him to make things easier.

He couldn’t help but notice that even with her hair in a messy bun, she still looked beautiful, and her hair was out of the way as he went about his task.  ‘I like the bikini you chose.’  He said, making conversation, conversation that had Liliana blush pink.

‘Thank you, Pidge found it for me, actually.’

‘First one she saw?’  He asked, knowing Pidge was no fan of shopping.

‘No, she took into account my style and colour preferences and found it.’  She laughed, shivering slightly as his hands passed over her lower back.

‘Wow, go Pidge.  Remind me to thank her later.’

‘I’ll try and remember.’

They finished with their lotion then sat on the lounger beside one another, just looking out to sea, watching the waves, sea birds hunting in the surf.  Eventually it was Lance who spoke first.

‘I missed this place so much.  I wish we could stay here until after dark, because the stars are beautiful.  They reflect on the ocean, it’s lie a sky-scape all around.’

‘Don’t you actually fly in a sky-scape all around?’  She laughed prettily.

‘Hey, you’re right.  This is different, but you have a point.  Maybe it’s just because it’s home, makes it so special.’

‘There’s no place like it.’  She agreed.  ‘And I just realised we’ve been to one another’s.’

‘Homes?’  He gave her a curious look.

‘Close, home countries?  Home regions?  I work in Cambridge at the university, so that’s where I’m based.  And the Norfolk royal residence is my local county too.  And now we’re here.’

Lance took a bottle of water out of the bag and took a sip before putting it in the shade.  ‘Shame we didn’t meet your family, because mine will be there tonight.  We’d have been fully even.’

‘Your parents will be at the festival tonight?’  Liliana’s eyebrows went up, surprised that she hadn’t known this information.

‘Parents, sibs, aunts, uncles, cousins, niece, nephew.  The full works.  We’re, uh, pretty close.’  He admitted, and she remembered from his Garrison file.

‘I think that’s lovely.’  She patted his thigh.  ‘I’ll make sure I stay scarce so you can have a wonderful family celebration.’

Lance looked confused, his nose wrinkling and eyes narrowing.  ‘What are you talking about?  Tonight is just a continuation of the date.  You’re stuck with me for the whole day and night.’

‘You don’t have to do that.’  She shook her head.  ‘I don’t want to take you away from your family.’

‘Then join us.’  He said it as though it were logically the answer.  ‘My folks will love you, and I can’t leave you alone in a strange city, at night.  No, I won’t leave you alone.  You’re with me, until midnight, or whatever time we eventually crash.  And we McClain’s are known for our partying prowess.  I promise you will not regret a thing.’

Liliana pressed her hand to her chest, truly touched.  ‘Thank you.  I really appreciate it, and I’m looking forward to it even more now.’

‘Which part?’  He asked, standing up and stretching.

‘Having the most handsome man in Cuba as my escort, of course.’  She got up and started towards the shoreline, Lance watching her go.

‘She thinks I’m handsome.’  He smirked to himself as he began to follow her.  ‘I knew she had good taste.’

Notes:

Up next! To quote Keith: Just sit still and stop teasing me!

Chapter 69: Paddle Boarding

Summary:

Keith and Pidge paddle board!

Notes:

A little late posting and replying to comments today, mostly because we got an early start and went to the cinema and watched The Wild Robot, which honestly I enjoyed, but woudl have enjoyed more if I hadn't been in so much film that I cried trhough it and by the end was shaking so much from it that it dulled my experience. Now I am so tanked up on morphine that I need to sleep to clear my head a bit. But first, here's today's first chapter!

Keith thought Pidge looked stunning in her bikini.  She had gone for a bright green crop top and shorts combo with white trim and a zip front, which gave him some rather inappropriate thoughts for several minutes.  Now they were in the shallows, Keith having made Pidge sit near the centre of the board with her legs dangling over each side, as he slowly pushed them out a little deeper.  They both had life jackets on, as per resort rules, and once the water was up to Keith’s thighs he got on the board behind Pidge.

Keith tapped her hip.  ‘Okay, on your knees.’

‘Gee, at least buy me dinner first.’  She laughed as she did as he asked, which made Keith realise what he had said.

‘Oh, God, not like that.’  He nudged her as embarrassment flooded him, but she just continued to cackle.

‘Okay, good, because I think we’d drown if we tried.’

‘Just sit still and stop teasing me.’  Keith warned her as got into position himself.

‘Aw, but it’s so fun.’  She leant her head back to look up at him, up on his knees behind her.

‘Just concentrate on this, you can tease me later.’

‘I promise.’  She turned her eyes back to the water and Keith set off, taking them out deeper while staying level with the shore.  ‘Have you done this before?’  She asked quietly, the teasing of minutes ago no longer in her voice.

‘Paddle boarding?’  Keith asked.

‘Mhm.’  She nodded.

‘Nope.  I don’t have any water sports experience.’

‘Oh God, I’m gonna die!’  She said dramatically.

He tapped her hip with the paddle before returning it to the water.  ‘You know I won’t let anything happen to you.’

‘Which is why I’m happy to tease you.’

‘I’m going to have to start teasing you back.’  He sat down on his heels, laying the paddle along side them, and he trailed his fingers down her spine, making her shiver.

Pidge smiled at the feel of his fingers on her warm skin, closing her eyes for a moment and asking; ‘Do you think I can keep my balance standing on this thing?’

‘It’s pretty sturdy.’  Keith shifted his hips slightly, setting off a gentle rocking motion.  ‘Let me shuffle back and you can have the centre for balance.’

‘You’re so awesome.’  She replied as he carefully unfolded his legs and slipped them into the water, then shuffling himself back on the board just a fraction.

‘What, for giving you space?’  He laughed.  ‘Because that’s a pretty low bar, if so.’

‘You’re just awesome in general.’  Pidge moved back on her knees until she was closer to the centre and brought one knee up, placing her foot on the board.  It wobbled a little, but was thicker and wider than a surfboard, and a lot more stable.  ‘Okay, ready for this?’

He held his hand out beside her, ready to balance her if needs be.  ‘Go for it.’

Pidge got to her feet carefully, slowly rising until she stood upright with her arms out to her sides.  ‘Okay, that was far easier than I thought it would be.’  She sounded disappointed.  ‘Paddle?’  She held her hand out and he passed it up to her, allowing her to gently propel them through the water.  ‘You know, I’m not one for sports, but I could be convinced to take this one up.’  She admitted.

‘You look good up there.’

She turned her head to smile at him and his fingertips brushed her ankle.  Which she wasn’t expecting.  She squealed and jumped, knocking both herself and the board off balance, staggering on the surface like a bad tap dancing routine before falling fully into the water, paddle and all.  Keith’s lower centre of gravity helped him stay on, and he grabbed for Pidge as she surfaced, sputtering and pushing water and hair out of her eyes.

‘Sorry?’  He offered her a small smile and held his hand out to her.

‘Was that on purpose?’  She ignored his hand and took hold of the side of the board instead.

He shook his head.  ‘I…just wanted to touch you.’

‘Next time warn me.’  She shook water out of her hair.  ‘I thought it was seaweed or something.’

‘On the board?’  He laughed.

‘Shut up.’  She splashed at him.  ‘I didn’t realise we were so far out.  It doesn’t look it.’  She glanced back at the beach.

He grinned.  ‘Wait, are you telling me you can’t reach the bottom?’

‘Sure I can.  I just have to…’  She held her nose and pushed herself down with the board until she reached the bottom, then pushed herself back up.  ‘See?  Reached it just fine.’

‘You want a hand up?’  He offered again.  This time she took his hand, trying to pull him off into the water, but he was much bigger than her and it didn’t work.  ‘You coming up or not?’

‘Why are you so solid?’  She took his hand in both of hers and kicked away from the board on her back, trying to move him, but with no joy.

‘If you want me in the water you just have to say so.’  He grabbed the paddle from the water and placed it on the board before swinging his leg over and dropping into the surf beside her, the water settling just below his shoulders.  ‘Can I give you a boost?’

Pidge wrinkled her nose, not one to give up, but equally knowing she wouldn’t really mind, if it was him.  ‘I guess.’  She sighed.  ‘But maybe in a minute.’  She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a soft kiss.

Keith was taken by surprise by her actions, her partially dressed body pressed against his, slick in the warm water.  His arm curved around her waist, his other hand cupping her cheek, her lips tasting of salt as his tongue tasted her.  Her legs locked around his waist and he shifted to hold her under her rear.  He was grateful her hips pressed against his waist, not lower, as he felt hot all over, inside and out, her presence enough to drive him crazy alone but now, now it was the sweetest torture he had ever known.  Her fingers teased at his ponytail, something he hadn’t realised had any physical affect on him, but apparently it was a big turn on.  Maybe it was because it was her but, wow, did it do it for him.

Core throbbing deeply, Pidge shifted, Keith’s fingers brushing where her upper thigh met her rear, and she knew this was neither the time nor the place, but she wished it was.  She wanted Keith, she knew she did, her body craved his touch even in the most innocent of locations.  She had never really understood obsession with a person, with how they made you feel, but now she got it, completely.  Keith was that person for her, and so much more.  But again, not the place, not the time, and she slowed the kiss, pressing her lips to the edge of his mouth, then his cheek, before pressing her own against it.

Their breathing was heavy, each trying to calm themselves while holding one another close.  No words would come, no matter how hard Pidge tried to form a sentence, Keith’s breath on her ear creating goosebumps despite the warmth of the sun.  Keith, though, noticed something, and it spoiled the moment entirely.

‘Shit!  The board!’  He dropped Pidge and launched himself towards the drifting paddle board, her head submerging so suddenly she swallowed some water before holding her breath and pushing back up to the surface with a cough.  She saw Keith swimming rapidly towards the board and couldn’t help but laugh through her cough.  Well, they were certainly making memories.

Notes:

Next! A Lilance milestone!

Progress info: 146k words, 98 chapters!

Chapter 70: Loverboy Lance

Summary:

Back at Varadero, things are heating up!

Notes:

Geez, this is a small chapter! So I'll throw another one up in a second! Also, wanted to get them up because I might well pass out soon from exhaustion and pain and medication! I'll take any sleep at the moment though!

Lance wasn’t one to sit around and sun himself, his mom always said he was a do-er, had to always be busy, and the beach proved no exception.  He had brought activities for him and Liliana to amuse themselves.  He had brought trampoline paddle discs; a handheld game of trampoline paddles worn on one hand and used to pass a light ball between one another, and he found an equal match in Liliana.  In her coverup she cut a beautiful figure, silhouetted by the sun against the sea and sky, and more than once he missed the ball coming for him because he was distracted by her laughing or throwing her ponytail back.  She teased him when he got distracted, forgetting to serve the ball, and they had soon worked up a thirst.  Lance made sure she was comfortable on her lounger before running to one of the huts nearby and buying them both a guarapo, fresh sugarcane juice native to the island.  He chose the non-alcoholic version as they had a long day ahead of them, and a long night after that, and dehydration on a beach was no laughing matter.  He sipped from his straw as he returned with the cups full of juice, ice, and a wedge of lime, passing it to Liliana as the condensation ran down his hand.

‘A true welcome to Cuba.’  He told her with a huge smile as she sat up and took her first sip.

‘That is so lovely and refreshing.’  She wiped the cup on her towel.  ‘What is it?’

‘Guarapo.  Freshly squeezed sugarcane juice.  They do a fermented version, but maybe we’ll try that tonight at the festival.’  He winked.

‘If it tastes as good as this, then I’m in.’  She agreed, taking another drink.  ‘I have to admit, I was a little worried about agreeing to today.’

That made Lance frown and he moved to sit beside her.  ‘What do you mean?’

She laughed self-deprecatingly.  ‘I don’t know.  I suppose I was just worried that it might be unprofessional.’

‘Unprofessional?’  Lance leant towards her.  ‘You’re the most professional person I’ve ever met, and I’m military.  You do an awesome job, and some of the best romances start at work.’

She looked up at him, finding him closer than she had realised, and her eyes searched his, finding no deception, he truly believed it.  ‘I just…it might be seen as…improper somehow.’

Lance glanced down at her lips, slightly parted with the worry in her statement, and he knew the moment was more intimate than it had been just seconds before.  ‘Improper can be fun sometimes.’  He murmured, his voice low in their close confines.

‘I’ve never been improper.’  She replied, her words equally as quiet.

‘I’ll teach you.’  Lance’s lips met hers in a soft yet insistent kiss that took Liliana’s breath away, and though it lasted only seconds, her stomach was fluttering with excitement and Lance’s breath was coming fast.

‘I definitely need some more pointers.’  Liliana gasped.

‘I gotcha.’  Lance managed before his lips crashed back into hers, cupping the back of her head with his hand as their drinks sat in their hands, suddenly forgotten.

Notes:

Awwww Lilance is official!!!

Coming up! To the festival!

Chapter 71: Accept Your Compliments!

Summary:

Pidge and Keith meet up to leave for the festival

Notes:

Okay, this is a bit better, a bit of length to this chapter! I'll be off to bed soon and sleep to follow soon after!

Pidge had no doubt that the dress she had bought was beautiful, and that it fit her well, but it was so different to anything she was used to that it made her nervous.  It was strappy, that was different for her, not to mention the neckline low, and fit her torso closely before flaring from her hips to her knees.  She had slipped cycle shorts on underneath it, so she felt partway decent, and with the one inch heel sandals, she felt like she should be attending some family function than a festival as a paladin.  She had one side of her hair clipped up with a tropical flower clip matching the dress, but her reflection still felt very little like her.  Still, she wanted to impress Keith and had promised Liliana she would wear it after she raved about how great she looked.  She would get used to it, she knew she would, but it was just…weird.  Yeah weird covered it.  She bounced on her toes a couple of times before deciding she was just putting this off.  She was going to wear the dress, that she was sure of, she just had to take that first step out of her door.

‘Okay, Pidge, you have travelled across numerous galaxies, you have saved all of them, you are a paladin of Voltron, a captain of the Galaxy Garrison, you are a Holt!  You can extrapolate anything you want or need to, you can solve problems some of the greatest minds of the last ten thousand years have stumbled on, and you will not be defeated by a little stage fright from wearing a quiznaking dress!  Now, get out that door and wow the man of your dreams!’  Her pep talk worked, if only because she didn’t want to be caught talking to herself, and she spun on her heels, the skirt flaring with her, and she walked out the door, locking it behind her.

Meanwhile, Keith was pacing outside.  Why he had let Lance talk him into off-white linen pants, he didn’t know.  They were comfortable, definitely, and light too, but white?  Really?  The white vest with red and white guayabera shirt were great too, he felt very well dressed, but not himself.  If Lance said this was appropriate, he had no choice but to believe him, he just had to hope Pidge didn’t show up and laugh at him.

‘Wow.’  Pidge’s voice made him realise he had missed her arrival, and he turned, finding her an absolute vision.  Her dress was red with small white flowers and green leaves decorating it and he realised he had never seen her in the colour before.  It suited her.  Her shoes gave her an extra inching height and matched the dress perfectly, as did the red flower clipped just behind her right ear.  ‘You look amazing.’  She said, looking over his light ensemble.  He had left his hair out of its now familiar ponytail and, gee, hot only just began to cover how he looked.

‘Katie.’  He murmured, walking towards her quickly and she gave a worried look, not knowing if this was a good or bad reaction.  She need not have worried, as he carefully cupped her face in his palms and kissed her softly.  She gave a small murmur in her throat and he broke the kiss, looking at her close up, studying her closely.  ‘You’re beautiful.’

‘Really?’  She asked hesitantly, for reasons he didn’t understand.

‘Do you not think you do?’  He asked in surprise.  ‘Because I can guarantee you are going to be the most gorgeous woman there tonight.’

‘Stop.’  She nudged his foot with her toe, her cheeks flushing.

‘If you’re not sure, just give me your phone.’

‘My phone?’  She frowned, but handed it over anyway.

‘Yeah.’  He scrolled through her contacts and started a video call.

‘Who are you calling?’  She came forward and tried to take the phone from him, but he fended her off, getting her to stand back where she was in utter confusion.

‘Hi, Mrs Holt…’

‘You called my mom?!’  Pidge went wide eyed as Keith continued to talk.

‘I need your opinion on something.  I say it’s beautiful, but Katie disagrees.’

‘Don’t you do it!’  She waved her finger at him but didn’t move.

‘Let me just turn the camera around.’  He did so and Pidge sighed, her shoulders slumping.

‘Katie, that’s not you, in a dress, without being bribed, is it?’

‘Hey, Mom.’  Pidge waved at the camera.  ‘We’re going to a festival and I didn’t want to stand out in the wrong way.’

‘No, you’ll stand out in the right way, definitely.’  Colleen couldn’t help the smile on her face, seeing her little girl looking so grown up.  ‘Can I see both of you?  It’s no good you looking like that if Keith is still in his old jeans and t-shirt.’

Pidge laughed as Keith pulled a face.  ‘I made an effort too.’  Keith switched the camera back to front facing and rested it against a plant pot on a table before joining Pidge, straightening his shirt and pointing between them.  ‘I know I don’t come anywhere near the level Katie is on, but will I do?  Presentable enough?’

Colleen smiled happily.  ‘Oh, you two are precious.  I need a picture of the two of you because you are gorgeous together!  Get someone to take one and send it to me as soon as possible, okay?’

‘Sure thing, Mom.’  Pidge walked forward and picked up the phone.  ‘We need to get going.’

‘Okay, but before you do,’ Colleen’s voice dropped to a quieter tone, ‘you’re still on that Altean birth control you used in space to control your periods, right?’

‘Mom!’  Pidge blushed, pretty sure Keith would have heard regardless.  ‘But yeah.’

‘Good girl.  Now go have an amazing time.  I look forward to my photo.  Oh, and if you speak to Matt, tell him I haven’t heard from him in a few days and this wasn’t part of our deal.’

Pidge laughed.  ‘He’s meeting us at the parade start point so I’ll tell him.  We gotta go, Mom.’

‘Have a great time.’  Colleen winked.  ‘You got a good one there.’

‘I do.  Love you.’

‘Love you too.’

Pidge hung up and turned back to Keith, knowing her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and Keith had definitely heard her mom giving her the space version of checking she had condoms.  Luckily for Pidge, Keith chose to ignore it and move on.

‘If we do get that picture, can we send it to my mom too?’  Keith asked, holding his hand out to her but she stopped just out of reach, giving him raised eyebrows and an expectant look.  ‘What?’

‘You called my mom on me!’  She slapped his hand with a laugh.  ‘You don’t do that!’

‘To make you realise you look stunning!’  He argued, coming to her instead.  ‘And you know your mom would tell you the truth.’

‘Just…don’t do it again.’  She let him pull her close to him and wrapped her arm around his waist, as his fell over her shoulders.

‘So long as you accept a compliment, I can’t see I will have to.’  He looked down at her with a knowing grin.

‘Oh my God, are you going to keep complimenting me, even now we’re dating?’

‘I am going to compliment you every day for the rest of your life.’  He leant towards her and finally booped her nose with his finger.

‘Sounds tiring.’

‘I will never get tired of complimenting you.’

‘I’ll take your word for it.’

‘Please do.’  Keith smiled more.

‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’

Keith stopped with a small happy sigh and turned her to look at him.  ‘Spending time telling my girlfriend that I find her the most beautiful girl in not only this but all the other worlds we’ve visited?  Yeah, kinda getting a kick out of it, honestly.’

Pidge narrowed her eyes at him.  ‘Truth?’

He frowned, not knowing what she might be about to say, but wanting to hear what it was all the same.  ‘Always.’

‘I know I look nice.  But it feels weird.  I’m not used to it, and that’s what makes me try and convince myself that if I don’t feel right in something then I can’t possibly look good in it.  And I know it’s stupid, and vain, in a weird way, but that’s how I feel.’

‘Vain isn’t the right word.’  He corrected her.  ‘I get you’re feeling self-conscious, and you do look great, but if just moving on and giving it less attention helps you, I’m done on the topic.  Just say the word.’

‘The word.’  She replied.  ‘Let’s go party like, oh, I don’t know, we won and intergalactic war or something.’

‘And if anyone compliments you just say thanks and move on.  Acknowledging it is the fastest way to get someone to move on to another topic.’

‘Ouch, you want me to thank people?’  She started them walking again.  ‘That feels like a hard ask.’

‘You don’t have to mean it, just get it over with.’

‘I can probably manage that.’

‘Good.  Because apparently Cuban festivals are legendary, and we have quite the night ahead of us.’

Pidge squeezed him to her, looking up with a genuine smile.  ‘Well, with you beside me, I can do anything.’

Notes:

OMG, Keith!!! You called her MOM?!?!?! lol!

Coming next! Onto the parade!

Chapter 72: Parading Around

Summary:

It's time for the Havana parade and festival!

Notes:

So, my car is fixed, can be returned, courtesy car can be collected...and I've been on hold for twenty minutes now waiting to talk to someone so I figured, hey, I'll post a chapter while I'm waiting!!! here ya go!

Liliana and Matt had gone ahead to the start of the parade route where the Paladins were going to meet them shortly.

‘So, what did you get up to today?’  Matt asked nonchalantly, and Liliana knew that he knew exactly what she had been doing.

‘Just a little beach date with Lance.’  She said casually.  She didn’t know Matt very well, but he was just as amiable as his sister.

‘Very nice.’  He nodded.  ‘Just swimming and sunbathing, or something else?’

‘Are you getting at something specific, Matt?’  She gave him a challenging look.

He laughed.  ‘Just a heads up.  Lance is incredibly proud of the fact that the date went well, wink wink, and can’t wait for this evening.’

‘Oh my word.’  Liliana pressed her hand to her forehead.  ‘We kissed, and he asked if I would date him with a view to it becoming more if that’s what we both want.  I certainly have to give him points for keenness.’

‘Do you want more?  Or tell me to mind my own business.  I just wanted to warn you that he’s…enthusiastic.  And probably ready to sing it from the rooftops.’

‘I would love more.’  She admitted.  ‘And perhaps I should clarify that before the parade.  Apparently his entire family are going to festival and it would be nice to have something more definitive than a vague introduction.  Can you imagine?  “Hey, family, here’s the girl I’m currently kissing, but we aren’t quite going out yet!”.  I’m sure that won’t open the floodgates to a million questions I would rather not go over.’

‘If you don’t want to label it too hard, ask Lance to introduce you as someone he’s dating.  It’s a definition but not as deep.’  Matt pointed through the crowd to where he could see Pidge and Keith coming through the clusters of people organising their own floats.  ‘Now these two.  They defined things pretty quickly.’

‘Not that Jameson noticed.  Have you heard anything about him from the Garrison?’  She waved to the couple and Pidge waved back, her face lighting up in an even brighter smile.

‘He’s being held in the disciplinary barracks while an investigation takes place.  This includes footage from the university bar and hallway the night before.  It caught everything.  He’ll get whatever punishment the Garrison sees fit and, let me tell you, it will be severe.  He’s going to be made an example of.’

‘I can’t say he doesn’t deserve it.  He knew who he was hitting on, and hitting, and he did it anyway, all for his stupid pride.’

‘I will not be sorry to see him getting what he deserves.  It really unnerved Pidge, all the unwanted attention, and whether Keith baited him into it or not is neither here nor there.  He did this to himself.’

‘Some people are their own worst enemy.’  Liliana smiled broadly as Pidge and Keith reached them.  ‘Pidge, you look lovely.’

Keith nudged her and Pidge bit the inside of her cheek for a moment.  ‘Thank you, Lil, you look great too.’

‘Of course we do, we helped one another choose our outfits.’  Liliana gave a small playful curtsey.

‘Best dressed here.’  Pidge offered her a high five, which she returned.  ‘And you scrubbed up good too, Matt.’

Matt wore cream linen shorts and a matching short sleeved shirt, with canvas shoes.  He spun on the spot, showing himself off.  ‘Thank you very much.’

‘Also,’ Pidge pulled her phone out.  ‘Lil, will you take some photos of me and Keith, and then one with Matt too.  Mom needs to check he’s still alive because it’s been so long since she heard from him.’

‘Shit.’  Matt checked the date on his watch.  ‘How much trouble am I in?’

‘Not as much as you were when you came back from space without me.’

‘Hardly at all then.’  He shook his head.  ‘Let’s get these photos done before lucky-lips Lance gets here.’

‘Oh really?’  Pidge looked over at Liliana who was backing up to get a better photo.

‘Really.’  Liliana replied, busying herself with the phone.  ‘Now everyone smile for me.’

Pictures were taken and sent to moms, and Lance soon joined the group.  They all just carried on while he stood for several moments with his mouth open, staring opening at Liliana who would occasionally throw him a smile or a small wave.  Eventually he snapped out of it and went straight to her.  Her dress was slightly longer than Pidge’s, reaching just below her knee, and a beautiful turquoise, the top plain, the bottom decorated with small bunches of rainbow coloured flowers.  The style was similar to Pidge’s, it was a popular choice, but she had added a floral hair band and silver sandals with a three inch heel.

‘I love this look on you.’  Lance kissed her softly on the cheek, Liliana blushing prettily.

‘I’m glad you approve.  And you’re very handsome.’

‘I know that, but what about the clothes?’  He chuckled, and Liliana bowed her head to rest on his shoulder, showing the change in their relationship ever so subtly.

Pidge nudged Keith, even though he was already watching them, wrapping his arms around Pidge from behind and resting his chin on her shoulder.  ‘About time.’  He murmured.

The call went up for them to board their float.  It was almost triangular in shape from the sides, curving up at the back and themed in the colours of Voltron.  Each Paladin had a place on a colour coded platform, lit up in their signature colour, apart from Keith whose light was white as a contrast.

‘We could have just walked the Lions through the city.  Just saying.’  Pidge commented as the float lurched forward.

‘There’s probably not enough room for them at the festival.’  Lance defended his country’s parade decision.

‘Eh, maybe.’  Pidge shrugged, then gave up trying to have a conversation as Salsa music began playing loudly from the other floats around them.

The parade took the best part of an hour, and the smiling and waving got old for Keith real fast.  Lance seemed to thrive in the spotlight, although they already knew that, waving, winking, finger guns, posing, you name it.  He was a born showman and watching the difference from his slightly higher platform back and centre, Keith had to hide a laugh.  They had obviously misjudged or not asked for Pidge’s height as a some of the decorations around her and the edges of the float were almost as tall as her.  Lance, on the other hand, stood tall and proud, easily seen within the floor set lights that illuminated him.  They were parallel to one another but you could hardly see Pidge until she waved.  Keith noticed she shifted from foot to foot, obviously uncomfortable under so much scrutiny, and he was sure the unfamiliar dress didn’t help her confidence.  He would later make sure she knew she owned the look, that she had nothing to feel shy about.

The parade ground was a football field with the celebrations leading out into the city beyond, where there were tables, chairs, stalls, bands playing, and looked beautiful in the now setting sun.  There were banners, flags, balloons, confetti canons, the air alive with colour, music, chatter, and song.  It was a party atmosphere like nothing they had experienced thus far.

‘WooooooooooohOOOoooooo!’  Lance whooped as he jumped down from the float, grinning ear to ear as Matt and Liliana, who had been brought ahead by a different route, approached.  ‘No one parties like Havana!’  He took Liliana’s hand and started impromptu dancing to the many tunes he could hear.

‘How can you just pick up one rhythm?’  She laughed as he twirled her playfully.

‘Salsa isn’t a rhythm, it’s a heartbeat, the sound of your soul itching to dance!’

‘He’s such a dork.’  Pidge remarked as Keith jumped down, ignoring the steps as Lance had, and offering his hand up to her.

‘Yeah, but he’s our dork.’  Keith replied as she took his hand.

‘Nah, he’s Liliana’s problem nowwwhoa!’  Keith tugged on her hand, causing her to step off the side faster than she anticipated, but he had planned this.  He had a light grip on her hand and released her, catching her easily around her waist with both hands before twirling her in his arms and placing her feet on the ground.  ‘Damn, you know how to get my heart racing.’  She shoved his shoulder gently.

‘And it’s still early.’  He pulled her close with a warm smile that had her heart racing even more.

‘Okay, I’m out.’  Matt threw his hands in the air.  ‘I have no desire to be the fifth wheel in this little Voltron love-fest, so later!’

‘Matt, wait!’  Liliana managed to stop Lance in his tracks and pulled away.  ‘We do need to make sure we’re all clear on tomorrow’s plans first.’

‘Right, right.  Go ahead, boss.’

‘Don’t call me that.’  She pulled a face at him, as Lance continued to dance around her, holding her hand.  ‘The Garrison has told me to make sure you all know you should enjoy yourselves tonight, let your hair down but also don’t do anything that would bring the Garrison’s name in disrepute.’

‘Bet Iverson added that.’  Pidge muttered, and Keith squeezed her in his arms and chuckled softly.

Liliana continued, unperturbed by their words or Lance insisting on partying around them.  We don’t have to be in Washington DC until midday tomorrow so you will have a little extra time to sleep in, in case tonight is a late one.  Any questions?’

‘Oh, I have one!’  Lance finally stood still and held up his right hand.

‘Captain McClain?’  She prompted him.

‘Why are we still standing here when we could be partying?’

‘Because I haven’t dismissed you.’  She said confidently.

‘Then dismiss us already!’

She laughed and shook her head.  ‘Alright, dismissed.  Enjoy yourselves, everyone.  And if you’re drinking, please don’t forget to eat something!’

‘Matt, you can hang with us.’  Pidge said as they drew close to him, but he shook his head.

‘Seriously, you two have fun.  I might only stay long enough to get something to eat and drink, but that’s all I need.’  He waved his hand.

‘And to find something else to impress Romelle?’

‘Maybe.’  He shrugged.  ‘I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying to buy her affection, but there’s so many pretty things I want to show her and the only way to do that is to take it back for her.’

‘You know, you could just call her?’  Keith suggested.

‘And what would my excuse be?’  Matt gave him raised eyebrows.

‘That you saw something you wanted to show her?  Literally what you just said.’

Matt shook his head.  ‘No, I’m good as it is.  I’ll do what I need to here then go call Mom.’

‘You are such a good boy.’  Pidge slapped his face playfully.  ‘Check she got my photos, okay?’

‘I will.’  He held his arms out to her and she stepped into him for a big hug.

‘If you do decide to stay, seriously, come find us.  Just because Keith and I are together doesn’t mean I don’t still enjoy spending time with you.’

‘I appreciate it, but this is new for you.’  He murmured, just for her.  ‘Enjoy these early days.  They’re special.’

‘I will.’  She gave him one last tight squeeze and stepped back.  ‘If you find any hidden food secrets you have to message us to tell us about it.’

‘Maybe.  Maybe I’ll keep it to myself and brag about it tomorrow.’  He backed away towards the festival.

‘You’re a jerk, Matt!’

‘I’m the most awesome jerk you know!’  He called back, finally turning his back on them and going on his way.

Notes:

Coming up! Lance and Liliana work some things out.

Current stats: Word count - 147k. Chapter count - 99!!!

Also, I'm still on hold...25 mins now...

Chapter 73: Definition

Summary:

Liliana worries about being introduced to Lance's family.

Notes:

It's the weekend! And I'm about to start chapter 100!!!!

I'm going to try and relax today, just do some writing and try and recover from my bad turn on Thursday and all the falls. Plus I have this morning started double the dose of one of my medications to try and give me some relief from the pain. Wish me luck! Despite the fuckery that took over four months to get this information to me, I'm hoping this is a step to a little relief.

Now that they were alone, Lance took both of Liliana’s hands in his, drawing her close then kissing each hand in turn.  ‘You ready for this?’

‘I hope so.’  She sighed.  ‘A little nervous, if I’m honest.’

‘You’ll be great.’  He encouraged her.  ‘Just be yourself.  My folks have commandeered one of the tables, well, probably three tables knowing them, inside the stadium grounds, I might have pulled some strings, so we can go make our way there whenever we’re ready, maybe getting something to eat and drink on the way.’

‘That sounds good, but can I ask one thing first?’

Lance frowned at the serious expression she offered him.  This was obviously bothering her and he didn’t like not knowing what it was.  ‘Am I going too fast, because I can slow down.  I know I can be pretty full on and…’

‘It’s not you, and it’s not too fast.’  Liliana interrupted.  ‘But I was wondering, I suppose, how are you going to introduce me to your family?’

‘I thought saying you’re Liliana would be a good start.’  He pulled a confused face.  ‘Would you rather be introduced as Envoy Cooper?’

She laughed at how oblivious he was being.  ‘No, silly, I meant…oh goodness.’  She huffed out a breath and steeled herself.  ‘What are we?  I know we’re dating, but is that how you’ll introduce me?  As someone you’re dating?  Because maybe that’s the closest to what we are, we haven’t really defined it as more, which is fine, by the way, I don’t want to add pressure, but it feels like something we should decide on before you introduce me.’

‘Oh, I get it.’  Lance nodded.  ‘How about this?  Just for tonight, we try out boyfriend and girlfriend, and if we like it, if it fits, we stick with it.  If it doesn’t, we can go back to dating and take our time.  I won’t be hurt or mad about it, but if it helps you with being introduced to my folks so suddenly, we’ll do it.  Equally, though, if you don’t want them leaping all over you because we’re in a relationship, no matter what it is, I’m happy to say you’re just my friend.’

Liliana couldn’t believe how sweet he was being.  She hadn’t expected much else, honestly, he was always considerate, but this was so much more than she had imagined.  To offer to step back for tonight for her comfort when he was obviously so excited to show her off and show off his home country to her was just so selfless.  She couldn’t let him down after this big of a gesture.  ‘Lance, if it’s okay with you, truly okay, you can introduce me as your girlfriend.’

Her quiet, hesitant words had Lance’s heart leap.  ‘You’d like that?  Because I’d like that.  To be your boyfriend, that is.’  He stumbled over getting the words out.

She nodded.  ‘Let’s do that.’

‘Alright!  This evening just keeps getting better!’  He picked her up in a hug.  ‘Shall we go?  Because I’m hungry and anxious to get to my folks at the same time.  My stomach is already gurgling just from the scents of the food cooking.’

‘Is that what I could hear over all the music?’  She asked as he put her down, taking one of her hands.

‘Sounds like an unhappy balmeran.’  He grinned.

Liliana wasn’t sure what that was though she was sure it was some sort of creature.  She decided not to dig for now, thinking she could ask later, because for now she was looking forward to all the things she was about to do with her boyfriend.

Notes:

NEEEEXXTTTTT!!! Keith surprise Pidge.

Chapter 74: A Gift

Summary:

Keith surprises Pidge.

Notes:

Hi all! Happy Sunday! Just doing our Sunday things, like cooking and prepping and washing! So while I'm at a good place to, I'm sending you this, with love!

Keith and Pidge decided to start with food, and chose a different dish each so they could share.  Keith had a small bowl of ropa vieja, a shredded beef and vegetable stew served over rice and beans, while Pidge went for the more finger friendly frituras de malanga, a starchy root vegetable fried in a seasoned batter that was perfectly crisp on the outside, but soft inside.

‘I wish Hunk could taste this.’  Pidge held up one of the fritters for Keith to bite.  ‘He would flip over these flavours.’

‘Yeah, but he is having his own celebration in his home town so I don’t think he would swap.’

‘Maybe I can get him the recipe or something.’  She remarked as they stopped near a trash can and finished the last of their food.

‘He can get any recipe he wants from Lance, I’m sure.  Not that he can cook, but his mom should know how.’

‘Good point.’  She tossed her small card box into the receptacle.  ‘That was good.’

Keith nodded as he offered her his last bite, but she shook her head, having had her fill.  ‘Agreed.  This has become as much a culinary tour as anything else.’

‘Drinks?’

‘I think so.’  He took her hand again.  ‘But first I have something for you.’

‘What?’  She asked as he pulled her towards one of the many hodgepodge of tables and chairs dotted around.

‘Just sit down for a second.’  He made sure she was seated and then pulled a chair out to face hers.  ‘I saw this while I was shopping with Lance, and I thought you might like it.’  He pulled a small velvet bag out of his pocket and offered it to her.

‘You didn’t have to do that.’  She grinned broadly as she took it.  ‘I didn’t get you anything.’

‘You’re here with me, that’s enough.’  He insisted as he watched her take out the small tissue paper package and spread it open on her lap.

‘Oh, wow.’  She looked down at the delicate gold chain in her hand, decorated with two small entwined paw prints.

‘It reminded me of our Lions, and us.  Do you like it?’

‘Keith,’ she breathed his name, ‘I love it, thank you!’

‘Here, let me put it on you.’  He stood again and took it from her hands.  She lifted her hair once he had the necklace positioned, and quickly fastened it.

‘This is the best thing, Keith, ever.  Seriously, thank you.’  As soon as he faced her again she got to her feet and kissed him softly.

‘You’re welcome.’  He held her close.  ‘Now, though, do you think I can convince you to have a traditional cocktail?’

‘I could be convinced, as long as it’s not gross.’  She replied, hardly aware of the fact they were swaying to the music in one another’s arms.

‘One non gross cocktail coming up.’  He promised, leaning down and kissing her, a long slow caress of their lips that Pidge believed to be more intoxicating than any drink she might consume tonight.

The stall they went to was ecstatic to have two of the paladins patronise them, and soon they each had a beautifully accessorised drink in hand.  Keith chose a mojito, the fresh mint stalk speared a lime wedge into the drink, and Pidge’s daiquiri held more fruit than ice, she was sure.  They traded drinks for a sip but both preferred their own and continued to walk through the city with the flow of foot traffic, past various stalls and many laughing, smiling people.

‘This is so different to Rome.’  Pidge remarked as some of the performers from the parade ran past them, encouraging others to join them.  ‘Much more boisterous, more…passionate.  Like the music and atmosphere just leeched into their heart and soul.’

‘That’s pretty poetic.’  He gave her a sideways glance.  ‘Do you feel it in your heart and soul too?  Could I convince you to dance?’

Pidge laughed so hard she almost snorted her drink.  ‘I feel the vibrations from the music, and there is definitely something in the air that everyone seems to be affected by on a spiritual level, but I’m a scientist, I want to know what it is that’s making them react like this.’

‘Can’t you not be a scientist just for tonight?  Or just hang your white coat by the door for an hour or two?’  He asked hopefully.

‘That’s a lot to ask, Kogane.’  She looked up at him with a playful smile.  ‘If I had the right partner I could maybe be coaxed into dancing, oh, I don’t know, maybe once?’

‘Then I had best make the most of it.’  He winked, hoping that later she would let him show her just how fun dancing with the right person could be.

Notes:

Next up! Liliana meets the McClains!

Chapter 75: The Family McClain

Summary:

Liliana is welcomed with open arms by the McClain Clan

Notes:

I always find it really weird typing my own name in fics, but here I was, typing it! Maybe I've got too used to everything I own auto adding my name instead of having to write it!!!

Liliana was a little dazed by the sheer quantity of Lance’s family and all the names.  There was his mother and father, and grandparents, then his four older siblings; Luis, Marco, Veronica, and Rachel, plus Lisa who was married to Luis, and they had two kids, Nadia and Sylvio.  Lance had told her not to worry, he would remind her if she needed it and not be insulted, but that slipped out of her mind as soon as Lance’s mother started hugging her and encouraging her into the centre of the table to speak with them.

Lance had gone to fetch drinks for the two of them, wondering if Liliana would regret her decision by the time he returned, and he found himself joined by Veronica, a huge smile on her face.

‘What?’  He asked, side eyeing her with the suspicion of a sibling who knew whatever was coming wasn’t going to be good.

‘An Earth girl, huh?  What happened to all the alien girls you wooed in space?’

‘They weren’t Liliana.’  He smiled smugly.

Veronica put her hand on her hip.  ‘Didn’t you just meet her?’

‘When you know you know.’  He turned with a cups of fermented guarapo in his hands.

‘And you know, do you?’  Veronica bit back a laugh.  ‘Lance, you might put on this playboy act but when it comes down to it, you’re still so naïve.’

‘I’m not so naïve that I don’t know when I’m feeling something different.  And it is different with her.  We just…clicked.’

‘You sound like a sappy romance novel.’

‘Maybe they got it right.’

Veronica took her own drink and joined him on the walk back.  ‘I’m sure she’s lovely, but don’t dive in with both feet unless you’re sure, kiddo.’

‘I’m an adult now, Veronica, I don’t need reminding.’

‘You’re also a fool in love, or at least lust right now.  Do what you think is right and it’ll all work out okay, just don’t rush things.  You don’t have to jump into a relationship with the first Earth girl who crosses your path.’

‘Nothing I say is going to shut you up, is it?’  He frowned down at her.  ‘Do you want me to stand on a table and yell how much I like her for the entire festival?  Get a tattoo that says Lance and Liliana forever on my ass?  I literally asked her out yesterday on our first date, we aren’t rushing into anything, so no more mother hen-ing me.’

‘Aw, but you’re our baby brother.’  She reached up and ruffled his hair.  We all want to look out for you!’

‘Just…play nice with Liliana, okay?  I don’t want you scaring her off with incessant questions.’

‘I would never!’  She replied dramatically.  ‘I might ask you some embarrassing questions though.’

‘Mooooooom!’  Lance called as they approached the tables.  ‘Veronica is teasing me.  I just got here!’

‘Veronica, leave Lancey alone.’  Their mother made room at the table for Lance beside Liliana.  ‘Liliana was just telling us about you having breakfast with the British royal family and you played games on the floor with the children!’

‘Yeah, they had this awesome custom built Voltron with detachable Lions, paladins, and everything!’  He gestured with his hands, his mom’s expression not changing.

‘I don’t care about the toy!’  She slapped him on the back of the head.  ‘You sat on the floor in front of royalty!  Have I taught you nothing about respect?’

‘Ow!  Mom!  They asked me to play with them!  What was I meant to tell the two little princes?  No thanks, my mom says I have to make a good impression?’

‘To be fair,’  Liliana added quickly, ‘they were very grateful to have someone entertain the boys while Keith and Pidge acted in their capacity as leader and technical expert.’

‘They were?’  Lance and his mom asked with identical expressions, though Lance was still rubbing the back of his head.

‘Very.’  She nodded. ‘They told me as much when you left for the emergency.’

‘Gets the chance to socialise with a king and queen and literally offers himself as a babysitter.’  His mom shook her head in despair.

‘What can I say?  Kids love me.’

‘Because you still are one.’  Marco ruffled his hair as he passed behind him.

‘Only compared to you, old man.’  Lance quipped back, finally passing Liliana her drink.  ‘Same as yesterday but the grown up version.’  He winked and quickly moved his cup as Marco tried to swipe it.

‘Then why do you have one?’

‘Because I’m a grown up who saved the known universe and beyond, duh.’  Lance quickly took a big slug of his drink, marking it as his own.

Liliana chuckled to herself.  Their family dynamic much reminded her of that of her own, with playful teasing based on love and friendship.  It only added to the reasons she felt such an affinity to him.

‘Have you eaten yet, Liliana?’

Lance noticed his mom switch into mothering mode in a blink, realising she was reaching for one of the many bags of food she had brought with her.  Mrs McClain was nothing if not prepared.

She shook her head.  ‘We came straight here.’

‘Then here, eat.  We waited because we thought that might be the case.’  She started setting out various sealed containers, each one making Lance’s eyes widen in delight.

‘Mom, is that…’  He started pulling lids off as he went, his voice raising in excitement.  ‘Carne con papas?  Chicarrones?  Arroz con pollo?  BUNUELOS?!’  He had one of the latter in his mouth before his mom could take the box off him and he virtually melted into his seat in satisfaction.

‘Lance McClain, you wait until your guest is served, you know better!’  His Mom smacked him on the back of his hand with one of the serving spoons she was putting out.

‘Do you know how long it’s been since I had bunuelos?’  He tried to say, but instead managed to spray crumbs everywhere while making noises close to; ‘Goo ooo whoa ha wong is bin finf I haf bonwellas?’

‘Talking with your mouth full?’  She gave him an exasperated look while Liliana hid her laugh behind her hand.  ‘How he has ever found himself with a pretty girl like you, I do not know.  I am so sorry for his bad manners, Liliana.  Please, help yourself.’  She passed her a plate and pushed the dishes towards her.

‘It all looks lovely, Mrs McClain, thank you so much.’  She gratefully accepted and spooned a small portion of the chicken and rice Lance had been so excited about.

‘No, that won’t do.’  She leant over Lance, who flinched, expecting another berating, be it physical or verbal, but instead she took Liliana’s plate and began loading it with large portions of everything on offer.  ‘I have plenty more of everything, mija, eat your fill and when you are satisfied, this human garbage disposal of a son of mine will finish every scrap.’

‘She’s not wrong.’  Lisa commented from the other side of the table, serving food for her children once Mrs McClain had dished up Liliana’s.

‘And, you can dispense with calling me Mrs McClain too.’  She handed Liliana her now piled high plate.  ‘You can call me mami.’

‘Wow, I didn’t get to call her that until I was married to Luis.’  Lisa winked at her.

‘Shush, she knows all about him galavanting off to space regularly and seems okay with it, he needs her!’  She shooed Lisa away to the next table where Nadia and Sylvio sat.  ‘Eat, Liliana, you need your strength to keep up with this chico idiota.’

‘Mom…’  Lance complained, handing Liliana a fork from the pile.  ‘No bullying Liliana.’

‘This isn’t bullying, this is mothering!’  She said proudly.  ‘Now, put food in your own mouth before something else stupid comes out of it.’

Lance wanted to complain, but his stomach rumbled again, reminding him some of his favourite foods were right in front of him, ready for him to indulge his nostalgia and tastebuds as one.

Notes:

Coming up! Keith and Pidge share a dance.

Chapter 76: Dancing

Summary:

Keith, Pidge, music, and an atmosphere.

Notes:

I've had a nice, if painful, morning out at the cinema again! enjoyed the movie and did a little shopping afterwards. Now back to writing despite my exhaustion! We're going away for a week in 2 weeks but my posting schedule should remain the same, though I might start stepping up chapters a bit more often simply because I am over 20 chapters ahead! Check out the progress in the end notes!

Keith and Pidge were slowly making their way towards the stadium, unsure what awaited them other than more of the same.  They had been passed more drinks as they passed people grateful for their efforts and heroism.  Some they sipped to tastes then left on tables as they went by.  They hated to waste them but if they drank every single drink they were offered they wouldn’t be able to walk before they even reached the stadium.  They were handed sweet treats, things to sign, asked to pose with children for photos, and then found themselves in the middle of a crush of bodies, dancing to the music that vibrated through them both from their feet and the air around them.

Pidge looked up at Keith with raised eyebrows, looking for his guidance, and he took one of her hands in his and pulled her closer, pressing his lips close to her ear.

‘Dance with me?’

Pidge shivered as his breath brushed her sensitive skin, closing her eyes as she drew in a deep breath.  All she could do was nod, her hair brushing his cheek, and he straightened, smiling warmly at her.

Dancing didn’t come naturally to Keith, it felt strange and forced, but with the music, the crowd, and Pidge in front of him, it suddenly felt right.  He moved to the rhythm, pulling Pidge closer until he could wrap his arm around her waist, encouraging her to step in time with him.  After a moment of encouragement, during which she blushed and looked down prettily, her feet moved, her body swayed, and suddenly there was nothing but the two of them.  The way her fingers touched him, brushing against his skin, his hair, her slender curves sliding against his body and palms, it was an intoxication beyond that of the few alcoholic drinks they had had.  Keith wasn’t sure who made the first move, but once their lips touched it was hard to tear them apart.  Their soft gasps and murmurs were lost in the noise around them, but their heated breath falling on one another was not.  They were no longer in a crowd, no longer surrounded by strangers, as their tongues tasted one another something changed, something neither one could define, but something nonetheless.

They parted on some unspoken cue with a gasp, their lips moist and swollen, staring at one another from close quarters with no words needed.  All the same, Keith used some.

‘You want to get out of here?’  He yelled, but Pidge heard, Pidge knew what he was saying and, taking her hand, he guided her through the crowd and out into the night.

Notes:

Next up! Lance and Liliana shop among the stalls set up.

Progress update: 155k words, 105 chapters

Chapter 77: Souvenir Shopping

Summary:

Lance and Liliana check out the local arts and crafts.

Notes:

I have no self control. The last chapter was so short, here's another one to make up for it!

Lance had finally been able to pry Liliana away from his family.  He had played some ball games with his niece and nephew, ensuring she joined in with them, and Nadia seemed almost as taken with her as he was himself.  She complimented Liliana on her hair band and how pretty her hair and dress were, but when Sylvio asked her to count his keepy-uppies that made him realise she had won them both over.  His mom had hugged her close and kissed her cheek, whispering something only she could hear that made her laugh softly and reply she promised.  Lance was curious, but he could wait, and he thought whatever his mom had said was a good thing.

‘I assume you don’t need any more food.’  Lance said teasingly as he pulled her along by her hand, towards a dedicated area for souvenirs and local gifts.  ‘So how about a little wander through the arts and crafts before some dancing?’

‘I would like that a lot.’  She pulled on his hand, making him stop and face her, which he did with a curious expression, finding her looking at him with a soft smile.

‘Everything okay?’

‘Everything is great, perfect even.’  She stepped forward and went up on her toes to kiss his cheek.  ‘I just wanted to thank you for tonight.  Your family are wonderful and I’m so honoured you were comfortable enough to let me meet them so quickly.’

Lance looked confused, as though it wasn’t even a consideration.  ‘Why wouldn’t I?  You’re awesome, they loved you, and really, what is there not to love?  And I don’t need thanks either.  I’m just glad they didn’t send you running.’

She chuckled, smiling broadly in such a way that made Lance’s heart squeeze.  ‘Actually, they reminded me of my family.  A lot more of them, but the playful teasing, the closeness, it was lovely to be a part of.  So that’s what the thanks are for.  For making me feel so welcome.’

‘I mean, okay, we did that.’  Lance said bashfully.  ‘But we aren’t about to make you feel unwelcome.’

‘It’s more than just being welcome.’  She poked him with their joined hands.  ‘I don’t know if I can describe it, but not once did I feel out of place, or an interloper.  You all just embraced my presence and I’m truly grateful.  Just accept my thanks and move on!’

Lance grinned, he couldn’t help it, she was adorable.  ‘Then you’re welcome.  Gift shopping now?’

‘Are we actually buying any gifts?’  She asked as they resumed walking.

‘Maybe, if you see something you want, or something you want to take home to your family.’

‘Oh, that’s a good call.  It would be a shame to have been flying all over the world in something as amazing as the Red Lion without taking something home for my folks.  I suppose an airport Toblerone won’t quite cut it.’

‘We can do way better than that.  Come on.’  He led her towards the gathering of stalls.

One particular holder beckoned them over, displaying carved wooden figures representing people in various poses, playing instruments, plain forms and dressed with intricately carved flowers, and she showed them one of Lance himself, evidently a best seller.  Liliana insisted on buying one, and Lance was proud of it, posing for a photo with the figure between him and the stall holder.  Papier-mâché masks were next, reminiscent of tribal African designs, worn for various carnivals, some skeletal with bulging eyes, bright colours to monotone.  An artist was painting next to a display of their work, depicting the three lions flying through a psychedelic sky.  Lance paid the artist for it, promising to have his family collect it from their studio.  If he ever had a permanent room again he would display it pride of place.  After looking through more crafts, from classic cars made of soda cans, to woodworked home accessories, they dropped their purchases back with his family before finally heading towards where a small stage had been set up for local talent to show off their abilities.

Lance spun Liliana under his arm as they reached the area where people were dancing, and she responded perfectly, so natural that it surprised him.  He had grown up dancing to salsa, jazz, and so many other influences, the her responding in such a way was amazing.  They danced for a few minutes, matching one another move for move, until Lance finally leant towards her.

‘I didn’t know you could dance?’

She laughed freely.  ‘Eight years of ballet, two tap, and four modern.’

His eyes went wide as he learnt this fact.  ‘Shit, you might be better than me.’

‘The difference is I don’t like showing off.’

He shrugged and spun dramatically, making her laugh.  She was having such an amazing night; the food, the atmosphere, the people…one person in particular.  She couldn’t see how it could ever be beaten.

Notes:

Coming next! Keith and Pidge...no! not that! not yet anyway, but they do get a bit hot and heavy!

Chapter 78: Carried Away

Summary:

The drink, the dancing, the atmosphere, Keith and Pidge find it a heady mix.

Notes:

Just an itty bitty chapter for now! But can you tell what it's leading to? 😈

Busy morning of admin and phone calls here, my car was returned, I had the bathroom measured for the new floor and picked the colour I want, very exciting!

Keith led Pidge to a quiet space, between two of the buildings and out of the party lights and prying eyes.  Her back hit the wall and Keith’s lips were on hers before she could catch her breath.  Continuing from what they had inadvertently begun on the dance floor, Keith’s hands found her waist, the feel of her soft body beneath his palms making his pants feel tighter than they had ever been.  Pidge’s fingers tugged at his hair, making him growl into her mouth, his knee pushing its way between hers and seeking her core.  The first touch of Keith’s thigh against her had Pidge jump in surprise.  He had offered her up a way to ease the desire between her legs that pulsed to its own rhythm, and the rub of his knee through her clothes had her groan in her throat.

Keith kissed across her jaw, nipping at the soft flesh of her neck and noting the pleasurable moan she let out.  One of his hands made its way up to palm her small, soft breast.  When she didn’t stop him he felt a rush of desire, suddenly encouraged by her petite hand palming him through his pants.  This gave him a reality check, it made him realise just how much he wanted her, and how while this felt amazing, it could also be very wrong, and be too soon.

He managed to draw his lips from her skin, moving to her lips where he kissed her gently, their breath falling heavily between them.

‘What’s wrong?’

She noticed.  Of course she noticed.  She was a genius and, while human feelings were sometimes foreign to her, she knew him, and well.

‘I think we need to stop, before we get carried away.’

Pidge whined dropping her head back against the wall.  ‘Can’t we just get, I don’t know, maybe a little carried away?’

‘We already did.’  He trailed his thumb over her swollen bottom lip softly.  ‘We’re all hyped up on alcohol and the atmosphere.  I think maybe we should leave this for now, leave it for when our heads are clear.  I want you to be absolutely certain this is what you want.’

She pouted somewhat but the way he was caressing her cheek was winning her over.  ‘Okay, fine.  No uncertainty.  But when I say it, you have to believe me, deal?’

‘Deal.’  He sealed it with a quick kiss before drawing himself away from her.  ‘You want to head back to our lodgings?  Sleep this off?’

‘Sure.’  She nodded.  She was sure she wasn’t too far over the limit, but doing what they were in an alley, well, it wasn’t what she had imagined when she thought of their first time.

Notes:

Up Next! It's smut. No sugar coating it. Bow chicka wow wow!

Chapter 79: A) Certain - B) Can't Sleep

Summary:

Pidge makes a decision

Notes:

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE READING THIS CHAPTER! IMPORTANT INFORMATION AHEAD!!!!!

This chapter is a little special. It is TWO CHAPTERS in one! Basically because apparently in the last few years I have written this chapter twice and didn't want to waste it, so you can have both! Pick one, don't pick one, enjoy both, enjoy one more than the other, whichever you prefer, that's up to you! I just hope you enjoy them!

Oh...also...THEY'RE BOTH SMUT!!!! IT'S KIDGE'S FIRST TIME PEOPLE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!!

79a - Certain

 

Pidge changed into her pyjamas and went through her bedtime routine.  As was normal for her, she hopped on her laptop, but abnormally she couldn’t bring herself to work.  Her mind was set in a different gear, and she knew it.  She wasn’t impaired, she knew that too, and she knew what she wanted.  It had nothing to do with the place, the drink, the dancing, and everything to do with Keith.  Or Keith and her together, anyway.  They were a volatile combination and she felt like nothing could ease the flames but him.  This was new to her, but she knew, and she was an adult.  It was fine, it was normal to have these feelings, and dammit, why shouldn’t she act on them?  She pouted and closed her laptop.  Quiznak.

Keith had showered, maybe a little cooler than he normally did, and in all honesty while it washed the sweat from his skin it didn’t do much else.  He was hot and bothered and it had nothing to do with the weather.  He rubbed his hand over his face.  He deserved a medal for pulling back like he did, but he knew it was the right thing.  He pulled on his underwear and t-shirt, then sat on the side of his bed and thought.  He had no idea how he would know when was the right time, but he knew that getting handsy in an alley was not it.  But when would be?  They knew one another really well, they were both pretty sure about their feelings, it felt so natural and…

Someone knocked on his door, derailing his train of thought completely.  There was no peephole, but the three short, sharp raps weren’t urgent.  They were confident, sure, but…he was overthinking.  He opened the door to find Pidge standing there barefoot and in her pyjamas, a pair of loose sports shorts and a vest.

‘Katie?’  He asked in confusion at her appearance.  ‘Is everything okay?’

‘I’m certain.’  She said simply with confidence.

‘What?’  He frowned in bafflement, trying to work out what she meant.  ‘Do you want to come in?’

‘Yeah.’  She stepped in as he moved further into the room, checking behind him that there wasn’t a mess while she closed the door behind her.

‘So, what did you say about being certain?’  He turned around in time to see her shimmying out of her shorts and then whip her vest off, standing before him in just her underwear and topless.

‘I said I’m certain.  This certain.  And before you say anything I used my wrist computer to test my number of alcohol units and it isn’t even over the legal drink drive limit, so I’m not impaired.  I’m just…certain.’

Keith just stared at her.  It was like his brain shut down and, well, honestly, it travelled south.  Now he understood what she was certain of.  He was pretty damn sure about now himself, but he wasn’t sure…what wasn’t he sure of again?  ‘Uh…’

‘If we’re not doing this, I just made a huge ass of myself, so I’d appreciate if you said or did something to let me know how this is going….Keith?’

He was glad she had given the option to do something to let her know, because he was completely incapable of speaking right now, at least without his tongue lolling out drooling.  Instead he stepped forward, so rapidly he didn’t stop when he met her, knocking her back into the door as his lips found hers.

Pidge gave a surprised squeak as Keith took her completely by surprise, pinning her to the door with his entire body.  He was so warm, her hands sinking into his hair as his traced her body.  The kiss was fierce and messy, Keith’s fingers digging into her flesh as he tried to pull her impossibly closer yet still wanted more.  It took no encouragement for her to wrap her legs around him when he lifted her, her hands sliding to pull at his t-shirt, wanting to feel him against her.  Keith tore his lips from her to allow her to pull his shirt off, which she threw away, not caring where.  Keith pressed her back into the door and she gasped at the feel of his skin on hers, so very warm she felt as though he could consume her and it would be the best feeling in the world.

The gasp gave Keith the opportunity to move his kiss across her jaw, nipping at her jawbone before trailing kisses down her neck.  When he met the soft skin where her neck met her shoulder his lips clamped down, sucking and teasing as she mewled.  The sensation was completely new, so close to pain but so good that her hips bucked against him, her legs flexing around him.  Keith knew she would have a mark, but given her reaction right now she didn’t mind, and the thought of her wearing his mark released something feral inside him, branding her as his and no one else’s.  The thought of claiming her had him drag his hands from her thighs to her rear, squeezing the soft flesh as he kissed, licked, and nipped his way around her neck.  Pidge groaned and tugged on his hair, producing a growl from Keith’s lips that send a spasm of pleasure straight to Pidge’s core.  She squirmed against him as he lathed her skin with his tongue, failing to give her the friction she so yearned for.

‘Keith, please.’  She asked, surprised that her own voice sounded so desperate.

He didn’t answer with words, he leaned back and looked at her, his eyes dark with lust in a way that had her insides flutter as she felt herself grow moist at that look alone.  It gave her the opportunity to pull herself close to him, one arm around his shoulders while her other hand cupped his cheek, and she drew so close that she could taste his breath, the sweetness of the alcohol he had drunk barely disguised by the minty freshness of his toothpaste, then licked at his lips softly.  Keith hummed his approval, pulling her away from the door and in three paces he was at the bed, laying her down on the pillows as he looked down at her.  His eyes trailed down her body, her bent knees framing his torso and he licked his lips before emitting a shuddering sigh.

‘You’re beautiful, Katie, just perfect.’

‘Look who’s talking.’  She trailed her hand down his chest, trying to ignore the way her cheeks burned under his scrutiny.  Her fingers traced the scars his body bore, every single one a testament to his tenacity, his bravery.

He leant down on one elbow and kissed her again, soft and gentle touches that had her heart fluttering against her ribcage.  His other hand, as though chasing her heartbeat, dragged along her ribs to the underside of her breast where his thumb nervously brushed the softer flesh.  Pidge raised her back encouraging him, and that was all it took for him to take his cue and caress her fully.  Her flesh moulded to his palm, her nipple pebbling as his thumb grazed over it.  The throaty purr she gave had Keith throbbing in the confines of his underwear, still not quite believing this was happening, and he almost lost his mind when her small, delicate fingers caressed him.  He rutted against her hand on instinct before stopping himself, not wanting to rush things.  He was concerned enough that she had him in such a state he might embarrass himself.  With great reluctance he took a steadying breath and took her wrist in his hand, raising it enough to allow him to lace their fingers.

‘Did I do something wrong?  Are you going to kick me out?  I’ve never done this and I don’t know if I…’

‘You’re good, better than good.’  He breathed a soft laugh.  ‘Actually, you’re driving me crazy but I want this to last, and I won’t if you keep doing that.’

Her lips formed an “o” and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realised what he meant  by that.  ‘Sorry, I…’

‘Don’t apologise.’  He kept hold of her hand and rested it on the pillow beside her head.  ‘It was good, I just want this to be good for both of us.’

‘I mean it’s a pretty low bar, you only have me to compete with.’  She shrugged and he closed his eyes as he shuddered.

‘Are you trying to kill me?’

‘Not intentionally.’

‘Then you’re unintentionally succeeding.’

He stopped any more arguments she had with a kiss, unlike the others it was slow and deep.  Keith took his time, exploring her with his tongue, tasting her.  Pidge’s fingers tightened on his hand, her hips raising against his, his tongue lapping inside her mouth feeding the deep throbbing inside her.

Keith drew away from the kiss, sitting back on his heels as his hands trailed down her ribs to her waist then hips.  ‘I’ve gotta ask, you’re sure?’

‘Consent, right, that’s important.’  She nodded too quickly.  ‘But yeah, I’m sure.  Certain.  You have my consent.  I trust you.  And I want you.  So, yeah.  Consent, given.’

‘Mine too.’  He ran his fingertips over the edge of her underwear; a simple pair of black panties; looking at her in askance.

Her eyes looked anywhere but at him, her cheeks stained a permanent red.  ‘Just get rid of them already.’

Keith chuckled to himself before taking each side and slowly drawing them down.  Pidge raised her hips and shifted her legs, allowing him to remove them the rest of the way.  He threw them aside and while he was distracted, Pidge pushed herself up off the bed and knocked him onto his back.  He made a small surprised; ‘Oof!’; before looked up at her, her hands either side of his head and a cheeky grin on her lips.

‘I kinda wanted a turn in this position.’

He smiled at her bravado.  ‘It suits you.’

‘You think?’  She lowered herself push-up style and kissed him teasingly, pulling back before it could become more.

‘You just look good from any angle.’

She laughed freely at his compliment, refusing to let herself be distracted.  ‘Okay, let me know if I do anything too…provocative.’  She sat back on her knees between his legs and took a slow breath to calm herself.  She didn’t mind admitting to herself that she was nervous but, as she had said, she was certain.  This was just new, and she was nothing if not a thorough researcher.  Her eyes trailed over him and she was once again drawn to his scars.  She couldn’t help herself, she leaned forward and kissed one that was awfully close to his heart, then another nearby, continuing in a downward direction.

Keith looked down his body at her head slowly edging further away and he felt himself twitch as he swallowed a gulp.  ‘Katie…you don’t have to…’

She looked up at him through her lashes, allowing her tongue to flicker over a scar on his hip before sitting up again.  ‘I took your earlier comments on board, don’t worry.  You’re just too kissable.’  She snapped the waist of his underwear against his skin where she had just licked.  ‘Off.  And I’m happy to give you a hand removing them, but I don’t know if that’s going to be too much.’

‘Just watch where your nimble little fingers go.’  He hooked his thumbs in and she moved her fingers beside them.  He edged the waistband over his swollen member and allowed Pidge to pull them off the rest of the way.

Pidge couldn’t hold in a gasp at the sight of him.  She was no judge, other than anatomy, but, wow, yeah.  She was impressed.  And definitely nervous.  Keith, however, took the opportunity of her distraction and pushed himself up, stealing her breath with a kiss as his hand went to her hip, caressing her skin in a line around her thigh.  Pidge jumped as he drew closer, her arms curving around his shoulders as she went up onto her knees.  Keith’s fingers found their prize, a tremor running through him at how wet she was.  She made a small whimper as his fingers caressed her, stroking her folds apart with deft touches, curving over her sensitive nub and revelling in the sensation of her body trembling at his ministrations.  Her fingers pressed into his flesh as he dipped a finger inside her, then back to her clit, circling as she ate at his mouth and pressed her breasts against him.  He upped the ante with a second finger, manipulating her carefully so as not to hurt her and ensure she was prepared, her pelvis rocking against his hand.  He hoped it was enough before returning to give her the friction she was craving while carefully lowering her down to the bed.

He tested what brought the greatest reaction from her, the right pressure, speed, even direction, wanting her to be ready, for her to enjoy her first time as he had heard it could be painful.  The last thing he wanted was for her to have a bad experience.  He knew he was doing the right thing when Pidge tore her mouth from his, throwing her head back with a gasp.  Her body felt tingly down to her fingers and toes, heat building in her core like nothing she had experienced alone.  Her body bucked as she gave a throaty cry, Keith’s fingers drawing her to very edge of ecstasy.  Her vision fluttered as her limbs jerked, her thighs clamping down on his hand as the friction tipped her over the edge.  She was making panting whines, her body still shaking as Keith raised one of her legs and bent it, positioning himself at her entrance his eyes searched her glazed ones as she came down.

‘You ready?’  He whispered, and she licked her lips before nodded.

‘Yeah.  I’m ready.’  She smiled in a way he had never seen before.  She was so satisfied, so happy, and it was all because of him.

Keith held himself in his hand as he slowly inserted the tip, Pidge letting out a shivering breath as her insides continued to quiver around him.  She tried to stay relaxed, knowing it would help, and she stroked his face with her palm.  He brought his forehead down to rest on hers, closing his eyes as he savoured every sensation, sliding in to the hilt quicker than he meant to.

‘Oh God!’  Pidge gasped as he held her close.

‘You…you good?  You wanna stop?’  He murmured in her ear as her breath panted against his cheek.

‘Hell no!’  She breathed.  ‘Just give me a sec then move?  Okay?’

‘As long as you need.’  His words were strained, and Pidge could hear it.  He really was the embodiment of Patience Yields Focus, years of having it drummed into him had helped him so many times, but now they both appreciated it.  It was a struggle, Keith wouldn’t deny that, especially as her muscles fluttered around him in little aftershocks, but he could wait.  He could…

‘Okay.’  She breathed, thinking she was ready.

He nodded, his hair tickling her cheek, and he slowly drew back.

They groaned in tandem at the new sensations coursing through them, Keith starting slow, allowing Pidge to meet his rhythm.  She didn’t realise she had closed her eyes until she fluttered them open, finding Keith with an expression of pure concentration on his face as he looked at her.

‘You’re holding back.’  She murmured as she caressed his bicep.

‘I don’t want to hurt you.’

She pulled him down and kissed him.  ‘I’ll tell you if it hurts.  I promise.’

She watched his throat bob as he swallowed, but finally nodded.  ‘Alright.’  She squeezed his arm encouragingly.

Keith’s paced increased, Pidge’s body accommodating him better than he could have imagined, the noises she made shooting straight to his groin and encouraging him.  His every movement seemed to encourage her, her meagre nails digging into his shoulders.  She wrapped one leg around his, giving herself an anchor in the storm of their love making, she could feel the burn beginning again, similar to before but infinitesimally different.  It felt bigger, like a wave about to crash onto the shore and wreck her completely.  Before she could even formulate what she needed, a single word slipped through her lips; ‘More!’

Keith was amazed by the desperation in her voice, how free she was, how accepting.  There was no shyness to her now, just complete dedication to the moment and their enjoyment of it.  It spurred him on, and the strength of his thrust drew a delightfully loud cry of; ‘Yes!’ from Pidge.

Soon he could feel his control waning, and he thought perhaps Pidge was close too.  Her head was thrown back, her breathing fast, and her hands gripping him almost to the point of pain, but he found he didn’t mind.

Pidge’s mind went blank as her body was suddenly plunged into the abyss.  She had felt it coming but still nothing could have prepared her for how it felt to hit her peak with Keith inside her.  She screamed his name as her consciousness seemed to fade for a microsecond before rushing back in an endorphin laden wave that completely consumed her.  Keith himself stuttered in his pace, his body then slamming into her where he rutted for some moments.  The growl he gave was long and wild, and Pidge swore she saw his eyes flicker to something more animalistic.

He collapsed against her, trying to hold his weight on shuddering arms so he didn’t smother her, and she took the opportunity to turn her head enough to kiss his cheek.  They lay still for some time, tangled together in a sweaty mess of limbs, loosely holding one another as they relearned how to breathe.

Keith finally found enough strength to move, shifting his weight until he slid free of her, rolling onto his side next to her and leaning up on one elbow to allow him to look down at her, brushing sweaty hair away from her face.  ‘You okay?’

‘Am I okay?’  She turned onto her side and shuffled closer until she could kiss him softly.  ‘I’ve never been more okay in my life.  I’m better than okay.  There’s not a word that describes my exact okayness.’

He kissed her, silencing her before she could continue on her ramble.  ‘Same.’  He cleared his throat, examining her carefully as though to memorise everything about her from this moment.  She looked so beautiful.  ‘Katie.’

‘Mmm?’  She nuzzled up to him.  Sweat was drying on her skin and making her feel cold.

‘I love you.’  He said it so quietly he wasn’t sure she had heard him as she didn’t reply straight away.

She eventually leaned back and looked up at him, her expression one of complete surprise.  ‘Wow.  I mean, I love you too!  I wasn’t expecting that!’

‘You think I’d just drag you to bed if I didn’t?’  He trailed his fingers over the small of her back and she shivered, but it led to her pressing her breasts against him, which he really didn’t mind.

‘I mean, I’d hoped, but you never know.  And I don’t think you can say you dragged me to bed when I’m the one who showed up on your doorstep and stripped.’

‘You really were certain.’  He chuckled softly.  ‘And you have a point.  But is it fair to say that we’re in love?’

‘I’d say that’s a fair appraisal.’  She grinned.

‘Will you stay?’  He asked, nudging her nose with his own.

‘I don’t think you could pry me out of your arms with a crowbar.’

He stroked her cheek and kissed her softly.  ‘You know, even after only sharing a bed with you for a couple of nights, I really missed you.’

‘Oh please, I hog the covers and have been known to rotate in the bed like fidget spinner.’  She laughed.

‘I’ll take it.’

‘You’re a glutton for punishment, Keith Kogane.’

‘So I’ve been told, but if this is the punishment, bring it on.’

 

 

79b - Can’t Sleep

 

Pidge lay in bed for what felt like hours.  She tried going to sleep on each side, her back, her front, even in the chair, which was when she gave up.  Surely it had been long enough she could get up and do...something?  Anything?  The feel of Keith’s lips on hers were tormenting her even now, the talent in that mans tongue alone had her pining for more, so much more.  It wasn’t fair!  He was clearly leaving it down to her, letting her lead him when it came to the physical side, and while she appreciated the consideration he had basically turned her on up to eleven then cut her off from the goods!  Nope, this was not working for her one bit.

Keith on the other hand, had found himself immediately in a cold shower in the communal shower room, reminding himself that this was for the best, that he had to be patient.  The problem was his dick just didn’t want to hear it.  He wanted control over his instincts, at least enough to not have to knock one out every time he kissed her, and this shower was a test of self discipline.  Arriving back in his room wearing just sweat shorts, he reached for the remote, hoping there was something boring on TV to take the final edge off his desire.  Which was when there was a gentle knock on his door.

It was late, he could only assume it was Lance on his way back to his own room playing some kind of lame prank, but with a sigh he hauled himself to his feet and padded softly to the door.  Which was when all his efforts to tame his raging libido came crashing down.

Pidge stood before him in a vest and workout shorts, her feet as bare as his own.  Her cheeks were flushed and she looked down as though embarrassed.

‘Everything...okay?’  Keith asked hesitantly, unable to read her demeanour.

‘Can’t sleep.’  She mumbled just loud enough for him to hear and he stepped back to create more space and allow her entry if she wanted it.

‘Do you…’  He didn’t get to finish. Pidge stepped forward rapidly and pushed up on her toes, pressing her lips against his in a haphazard kiss.  Staggering back a step, it took him a moment to regain both his balance and composure, what little he had left, and he had the sense to close the door before responding in kind.  It was rough and messy, tongues twirling and occasionally teeth clashing, but they didn’t stop.  His hand found its way to her waist, holding her steady as he bent towards her, allowing her feet flat on the ground as much for balance as for her comfort.

The heat from Keith’s body surprised her, her palms flat against the contours of his chest.  Wherever they touched it was as though his body heat coursed through her, making her stomach flutter and lower things throb.  She wrapped her arms around his neck, the action pressing them closer together, which was when Keith’s common sense and libido parted ways.  He took a few steps back until his calves hit the bed and he sat, pulling Pidge with him until she straddled him.  The move also made their lips separate and they looked at one another from close quarters, their breathing heavy, lips swollen, and cheeks flushed.

‘Is this…uh…why you couldn’t sleep?’  Keith asked huskily, watching as her tongue darted over her moist lips.

‘You’re why I couldn’t sleep.’  The words were barely over a murmur, but he heard, so did a lower part of his body, twitching at her confession.

‘Tell me when you want to stop.’

When, not if.  He was, even now, with her core pressed tight against his throbbing length, giving her an out and, in all honesty, she didn’t want it.  ‘If.  And it’s a pretty big…if.’  She punctuated the word with the slightest movement of her hips and his lips were back on hers in seconds, eating at her hungrily until she was making inarticulate noises.

Pidge couldn’t help but arch her back as Keith’s hands slipped under the edge of her vest, coarse fingers tracing her skin somewhere between gentle and maddening.  His lips slipped from hers to kiss across her jaw, her breath stuttering at the new sensation.  As though on instinct, her head rolled back, allowing him better access to her throat, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin before his tongue darted over the same spot as though inherently soothing her.  She had no idea such a simple activity could make her body flutter, aware suddenly of how she was longing for something she had thus far never had, that only he could give her.

Keith’s hands continued their exploration of her soft flesh, his mind almost short circuiting when he realised she wasn’t wearing anything under the vest.  He shouldn’t have been surprised, given what he could feel against his chest, but the proof in his own touch was enough to have his hips thrust upwards.  The noise Pidge made in response only made things worse, or better, it was hard to tell, pun intended, and it was in this moment of distraction that his hands decided to work for themselves and rapidly pulled the t-shirt over her head and cast it aside, baring her before him for the first time.  She was perfect.  He had had to break away from her to remove her shirt and he took the opportunity to take her in, her small but perfectly formed body taking his breath away.

Before he had the chance to react she kissed him fully, hoping to distract him from embarrassing her any more than she already felt.  It worked, and soon their tongues were engaged in a battle for supremacy, neither one yielding but enjoying the fight nonetheless.  Before Keith noticed what he was doing, his hands had caught under her thighs, lifting her as he stood and turning, laying her head in the pillows before he settled himself over her.  He tried to break the kiss but her lips followed him, pushing up on one arm until she could pull them back to hers, enjoying them too much to let them go just yet.

Pidge’s heart was going a mile a minute and it only increased when Keith’s hand caressed her ribs, his thumb tracing the side of her breast in a way that had her nipple tighten in a new and fascinating way.  Giving up her pursuit of his lips she dropped back onto the bed and took his hand in hers, leading it to her breast as she looked up at him, hoping he would take this as encouragement not criticism.  She should have known that Keith would accept her guidance and the look of fascination on his face as his palm caressed her was nothing short of beautiful.

‘I won’t break.’  She whispered, hoping it would encourage him to be less hesitant.  The next thing she knew his thumb brushed over her nipple and it grew more taut than before, her eyes fluttering closed as he tested this new territory.  In her head she knew he had moved but her brain couldn’t comprehend it at the sensations running through her.  She felt she was closing in on something, a slow burn building within her, and when his tongue trailed over the sensitive bud she groaned so loud she clamped her hand over her own mouth in horror.

‘No, I wanna hear.’  Keith took her hand and laced his fingers with hers before raising it to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

Her only reply was a high whimper in her throat that did more to him than he would have thought possible.  It encouraged him more than words could, and soon he had lowered his mouth once more, kissing from one soft mound to the next as she gave herself over to the sensations, her fingers threading through his damp hair with the need to hold onto something.

His lips carved a path up to her clavicle before finding the soft piece of flesh where her shoulder met her neck.  Sucking it into his mouth, he allowed the sounds she made to guide his hand to the waistband of her shorts, teasing under the material to gauge her reaction.  It wasn’t what he was expecting.  Pushing at his chest, she raised her hips and slipped them and her underwear down as far as she could get before pulling the cord on the front of his shorts, undoing the bow he had meticulously tied.  In just moments Keith was aiding her, pushing her clothes down the rest of the way before moving onto his own.

This time when he lowered himself there was nothing between them, and it seemed to change more than one thing.  Keith kissed her with reverence, a slow, delicate touch of nothing but his lips on hers, yet it was somehow more than anything either of them had experienced.  Pidge’s hands traced over Keith’s ribs, feeling his taut muscles as she reached the limit of her arms length, fingertips brushing his hips and causing him to buck against her.  The friction felt so good, Pidge’s body responding in kind, and Keith had to make a concerted effort to stop himself from just continuing to rut against her, knowing it wouldn’t end with what either of them wanted, and he drew back, allowing his hand to slip between them.

His name fell from her lips on a breath as he caressed her folds, parting them with delicate strokes that slowly grew with his confidence.  She was so wet, he knew that would help but, knowing this was her first time, he wanted to do it right, he didn’t want to hurt her.  Circling her entrance to see her reaction, her fingers flexed against his waist while her other hand gently brushed against his hair at the back of his neck.  It was such a small gesture but coupled with what his hand was doing it was possibly the hottest thing he had ever seen.  Her eyes were closed, her cheeks pink enough to mark her freckles a stark contrast, lips half parted as trembling breaths fell through them.  At last he slowly slipped his finger inside her, finding her so warm and tight he again had to take a moment before continuing.

Never, not even during her “self experimentation”, had Pidge felt anything like this.  The warmth of his digit as it swirled inside her, quickly joined by a second that stretched her in a delightful way, was something else.  Her hips rocked against his hand as he slipped in and out of her, her own fingers seeking him out.  She still hadn’t seen him, but she longed to.  He was so smooth in her palm, like no flesh she had ever felt before, rigid but silken in a way that had her body fluttering as she softly stroked the length of him.  Part of her was worried that he felt so large she may be unable to accommodate him, but she knew she was more than willing to try.  Keith’s hips almost collapsed against her as she teased him, and he took his hand from between them, instead taking her hand and moving it back to his waist.

‘You’re too much.’  He gave a shaky laugh at her perturbed look.  ‘Can I?  I mean, are you ready?’

She licked her lips.  ‘I’m ready, Keith.  Certain, even’

His name on her lips had him close his eyes to compose himself before bringing his lips to hers in a simple kiss, allowing him to concentrate on other things.  Taking himself in his hand he lined himself up at her entrance, her bent legs shifting slightly in anticipation.  A gentle nudge later and they were joined, just barely, and she made a small noise of discomfort, her brow furrowing as he looked down at her.

‘Are you good?’

She nodded rapidly.  ‘Just, go slow for now, okay?’

He couldn’t help but notice the tightness on her face but he trusted her when she told him what she needed, making slow yet steady progress, stopping when he thought she needed it and not moving again until he got her nod to proceed.  In just moments he was completely sheathed inside her and Pidge had never felt so…so…full.  A deep pressure had built inside her, as though Keith had found an internal trigger that caused it.

‘Ah, fuck.’  Keith growled, the sound so primal that Pidge’s hips bucked enough that they both hissed.  ‘Still…good?’

‘So good.’  She whined, pulling him towards her for a sloppy kiss that he returned as he carefully drew back before rocking inside her once more.  His pace grew, rhythm slowly coming on instinct alone, and it wasn’t long before she was raising her hip to meet his, shallowly at first before gaining in confidence.  Her fingers clenched at his skin as though she couldn’t feel enough of him.  This was a first for her in so many ways and she was so glad it was him.  He was careful but not too gentle, their bodies meeting with a meaty noise that only seemed to enhance things.

Keith fought his body not to let go, not yet, but it was too much.  Try as he might there was no fighting it.  No!  He didn’t want this, he wanted her to enjoy herself, he wanted to feel her quivering around him!  Well, that was a stupid thing to think of.  That mental image pushed him over the edge, thrusting into Pidge before shuddering as he groaned, ashamed of himself yet elated, but determined to do the right thing.

Pidge was part relieved when Keith suddenly shuddered inside her, the growing heat in her body had been so different that she had been unsure what to do with it, if she should be resisting it, letting it flow through her, or some other third option her brain refused to tell her.  She knew it was mostly “fairytales” (and well written fan fiction) that had a couple so in tune, she was just impressed that they had got this far the first time.  Stroking Keith’s hair she could feel a fine trembling running through his entire body, his arms on either side of her visibly shuddering.  He rested his forehead against her cheek as he came down, giving himself another moment before carefully pulling free of her and kissing her neck.  He fought the urge to apologise as his lips trailed over her collarbone, which was when she realised he wasn’t just being affectionate.

‘Keith?’  Her voice was little more than a squeaking murmur as she tried to work out how best to ask him what he was doing.

‘I’m not done with you.’  The look he gave her through his lashes had her breath catch as he reached her ribs, nibbling at the skin before carrying along on his path south.

‘Oh…you don’t have to…’  Her voice trailed off as his fingers slid through her wetness before he brought them up to her clit, circling it so slowly it was almost torture.  Okay, so he knew where to find it.

‘I want to.’  He didn’t look up at her this time, instead he lowered his head once more and kissed her hip, his proximity to her core making her heart leap into her throat.

‘Oooohhhhh.’  Pidge managed as her head dropped back into the pillows, her body heating up once more as his tongue made contact with her most intimate parts.

Keith marvelled at her scent and taste, having had nothing like it even with all the exotic places they had visited across the many cosmoses.  She was so sweet, a nectar just for him, and he dared to suck on the tiny bundle of nerves.  Her hips bucked violently as she let out the most free groan he had ever heard, then her fingers were in his hair, clenching and unclenching as his tongue worked torturous magic on her.

In just moments he felt her thighs tense and he knew she was close, doubling his efforts until her back bowed, a strangled cry falling from her lips as her body shook.  Keith continued to coax her through it, slowing his motions as she came down, her body twitching until she was spent, limbs limp and breathing ragged.

Keith crawled up her then dropped to one side, his body languid and moist with perspiration.  Using his finger he turned her face towards him, allowing him to kiss her briefly, taking in her glassy expression and parted lips.  She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

‘Hey.’

‘Uh huh.’  She replied, a high pitched noise from her throat.

‘Was that, uh, okay?’  His hesitant question shook her back to herself enough that she could speak.

‘That was way better than okay.’  She puffed.  ‘Do you want new shielding on Black?  Cos I’ll do it, just say the word.’

He laughed at her attempt at humour.  ‘I don’t need anything for it.  I’m just happy if you’re happy.’

‘Oh boy, am I happy.’  She smiled but it was tired, her lids hooded, and she had yet to move.  ‘Are you happy?’

‘Beyond happy.’  He ran his fingertips over her stomach, feeling the ticklish muscles below tremor.  ‘So, stay the night?’

‘I think I have to.’  She said in all seriousness.  ‘I don’t think I can walk far.  Like ever again.’

‘You’ll recover.’  He leant towards her, kissing her cheek.  ‘And once you are I’d like to try that again.’

A smile spread across her face at his words.  ‘I’d like that.  But for now, I think I have to try get up and use your bathroom.’

‘Use anything you need.’

‘Uh huh.’

They laid there for several more minutes.

‘You didn’t get up.’

‘No, I did.  I’m in the bathroom now.  I’m definitely not still lying here and wondering how I’m going to get up.’

He chuckled and pushed himself into a sitting position before helping her to do the same.  ‘You want me to help?’

‘Noooo, I can bathroom myself.’  She insisted before swinging her legs over the side of the bed and getting unsteadily to her feet.

‘You look like Bambi.’  Keith remarked as she held furniture to aid her progress.

‘You wait until you try and walk.’  She called back before disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door.

Keith flopped back onto the bed.  If he had known when he got up this morning that this was how his day was going to end, he would probably have had some energy drinks handy.

She was back out within minutes and he didn’t fail to see her shiver as she reached the air conditioned room.  He instantly sat up and pulled back the covers, inviting her into the warmth of his arms.  He pulled her close, tucking her head under his and closing his eyes, breathing her in, and he realised this was just perfect.

‘I love you.’  He murmured against her hair, and he felt her freeze in his arms.  He had a second to wonder if he had blown this somehow, if that was too soon, even if sex wasn’t.  Sure, she had admitted it to him first, but in her sleep.  What if her subconscious knew but she didn’t?

‘I love you too.’  She said quietly, but he heard, and he closed his eyes, swallowing his worry as relief flooded him.

‘I’m glad.  Though, I have a confession.’

She leant back and looked up at him.  ‘Another one?  Because that last one was kinda big.’

He chuckled and kissed her forehead before speaking.  ‘You said it in your sleep the first night we kissed in the Garrison guest quarters.’

‘I…I what?’  She looked at him in horror.  ‘You knew all this time and you just let me…you knew?’

‘I didn’t mean to hear it, but it certainly helped with my confidence.’

She punched him in the chest lightly.  ‘God, you made me suffer all this time, you quiznaker!’

‘You were suffering?’  He replied in disbelief.

‘Of course I was!  I don’t know how, but I was.’  She said defensively, which set him off laughing, and she had never heard such a free sound from him.  The sheer joy had her laughing just a moment later.

‘Okay, okay.  How can I make it up to you?’

Pidge narrowed her eyes at him, thinking hard about her reply.  ‘You can start by holding me all night.  Again.  And I’ll come up with something else tomorrow.’

‘I’ll take it.’  He kissed her soundly.

‘You really are a glutton for punishment.’  She rubbed her nose against his.

‘Only your punishment.’  He replied, leaning over her to turn off the light, his heart light, his head heavy with the need to sleep.

Notes:

Opinions please!!! Did we like the surprise of two chapters in one? Two different versions of the same event? I don't even remember when I wrote two, but I did the same for the next lot of smut as well so, yeah, apparently I forgot I wrote it and wrote it again, but different! Twice!

Coming up! Happy Lance!

Chapter 80: Contented

Summary:

Lance mulls over things

Notes:

JFC and everything seemed to be going fairly well too...went to go out in my newly returned car this morning, and the RAMP WON'T WORK so I can't get into it with my electric wheelchair, so panic mad dash to get me in the manual wheelchair and into my daughter's car to get over in time for my 945am heart appt (by phone but had to take it at mum's house for reasons). get it booked for repair next weds, which is four days before our holiday which we drive to. call and cancel the hire car collection for today and then take my phone call with the hospital, get diagnosed with POTS, need a sleep study for sleep apnea, and a 24hour blood pressure monitor, more meds coming my way, now on hold with the company to extend the hire lease which normally takes them an hour to answer! phew!

Is everyone over yesterday's double whammy smut bonanza btw? More is coming later today, possibly, if I'm not laying in a heap somewhere crying.

Lance saw Liliana to her room before skipping down the stairs to his floor and onto his room.  He collapsed on the bed with his arms out to either side of him and sighed.  He couldn’t remember ever having a night like tonight.  He was on cloud nine, he understood what the phrase meant!  They had such a great time, his family loved her, they had drank and danced and shopped and…he sighed happily.  Wait…did he tell her he had a great time?  He did, right?  Suddenly he doubted himself and fumbled to get his phone out of his pocket.  He quickly pulled up her number and sent her a message, stating how much fun he had had, how she really made his night, and he would see her in the morning.  And he added a kiss.  That was okay, right?  It wasn’t too forward, wasn’t to impersonal either…maybe he could get a girl’s opinion.  He called Pidge.

The phone rang, then clicked through to her voicemail, telling him she was probably doing something far more important than whatever this call was about, but to leave a message anyway, she would see if it was worth her calling them back, and he laughed to himself, remembering when he had encouraged her to record it.  He did, however, hang up.  Maybe she and Keith were still out dancing the night away, not that he could picture that, and tried one more time before giving up.  He pressed send on his message to Liliana then dragged himself up to get ready to sleep.

Liliana decided to leave writing her report about the parade until tomorrow, yawning behind her hand at the thought of it.  She did, however, manage to send her parents a quick email, filling them in on how the tour was going.  She wasn’t sure how to bring up her burgeoning relationship with Lance so decided to tell them in person.  She told them she had some news but it was nothing to worry about and she would speak to them soon.  Then she fired a text to her sister with a picture from the festival.  She knew she would appreciate it, even if it was just of her drink.

Tomorrow she could sleep late, not that she would let it go on too long, but she would get up and write her report before breakfast then make sure she was ready for the final leg of their tour.

Notes:

Neeeextttt!!!! The morning after with a hot and steamy shower!

Chapter 81: Lockpicking In The Name Of Love and Experimentaion

Summary:

A morning shower has never been so fun!

Notes:

READ READ READ READ READ

Okay, this is more SMUT in case you need a warning, and this is, again, a time when I wrote the same chapter twice over time, didn't remember until I looked it up recently, and can't decide which I liked more so just enjoy some soapy fun with Kidge!

Also, not sure if I'll be able to post much more today, though I will try. I had a fall first thing this morning and have an appt for my eye screening this afternoon and I'm already exhausted/in agony. So yeah, I will just spend today trying to survive!

81a - Lockpicking In The Name Of Love 

 

Pidge hunched over, letting the hot water from the shower in the shared bathroom hit the back of her neck and run down her back.  Her muscles were never relaxed, she knew that, but right now they were a mass of knots.  All the travelling in space hadn’t prepared her in the slightest for a homecoming tour of their own planet.  At least on each of the coalition planets it had been one stop per solar system.  So many in such a small space of time was tiring.  And stressful.  The only saving grace for her was Keith.  In a very short space of time he had found various ways of helping her unwind but sometimes the body just gave up, no matter what, muscles tightening until they ached and nothing you did alone could change it.

Her hair stuck to her clavicle, having already washed and conditioned it, the final suds of shower gel running down her body as she tried not to overthink the evening to come.  Their final visit in Washington DC was a huge deal.  The medal ceremony, the ball.  It was huge.  She knew she could get through it, especially with Keith by her side, all she had to do was smile, nod, and thank them.  It had been Pidge’s mantra through many political events, but this felt heavier, more meaningful somehow.  She was anxious about the whole thing, there was no denying it, and it mussed her thoughts until she couldn’t get a clear one.

She took in a large breath and let it out slowly, letting both that and the water try to ease her tension while knowing, really, it was a lost cause.  She wondered what the chance was they could find a masseuse back at the Garrison who wasn’t a torturer thrown in.  A back massage sounded amazing about now.  Large hands sliding over her slick skin and gently coaxing all the muscles to give up the tense grip they held her in.  Thumbs pressing out the hardest of knots followed by the more gentle palms, easing the ache away from her flesh.  A small smile tweaked the corner of her mouth at the thought and she rolled her neck, knowing she would have to give up the shower soon and get ready, but staying put was so tempting.  The water pressure was the best they had had since the Castle of Lions went up and it made things a whole lot more pleasurable.  The adjustable heat and pressure at the touch of button…

‘Eeep!’  Pidge squealed and jumped as she felt pressure on her shoulder that had nothing to do with the water and more with her imagination coming to life.  Her eyes flew open and she began to turn when she heard Keith say; ‘It’s only me.’  And she huffed out a rapid relieved breath.  Then realised he was naked and in the shower with her.  Okay, so he had seen her naked.  Like, all of her, but he had scared the crap out of her.  Her heart was pounding and she considered berating him for not announcing himself, but the moment she turned her head the words died in her throat.  She was reminded of Keith’s complete nakedness.  Of course he was.  He was in the shower with her, why would he be dressed?  Her eyes seemed to be drawn to him, trailing down his collarbone and lower, until she reached the plains of his stomach and his dark happy trail.  That was what snapped her out of what she was doing, her eyes suddenly making contact with his rapidly.  Of course she had been with him naked, but the lights had been low, and she had also been distracted by what he was doing.  Not that she didn’t like what she had seen so far, she had loved it, even bearing all the scars he did he was still perfect.  But out and out gawking at him still seemed a little…almost unreal.

‘Are you okay?’  He asked quietly, his fingers tracing circles on her skin as he waited for her answer.

‘I…uh…I’m…good!  I’m good.  I’m wet, I mean I’m showering, but I’m good.  How are you?’

‘I was worried when I woke up and you weren’t in bed with me.’  He explained, his other hand going to her opposite shoulder and applying just enough pressure to elicit a small moan from her throat.  ‘Did you not sleep well?’

‘Just lamenting all this…mmm…political crap.’  She murmured the last as his hands slid over her skin and pressed her tense muscles, much as she had imagined just moments ago.

‘You’re pretty tense.’  He told her unnecessarily.  ‘I mean more than usual, which is like a tightly coiled spring anyway.’

‘I would rather face a whole battalion of galra ships than go through another meet and greet.  Oh God.’

His hands froze on her skin, unmoving but adding more heat to her skin.  ‘Sorry, that’s a pretty tight knot.  Want me to stop?’

‘No.’  She breathed, closing her eyes as her hand came up to rest on the tiles in front of her.  ‘It feels good, it does, but it’s…different.’

‘Good different?’  His voice was closer than it had been before and she realised he must have leant forward, his breath caressing her ear.

‘So good.’  She whined without meaning to and her hand flew up to her mouth as though she could stop the words before he heard them.  Really, she knew it was too late, but hoped he wouldn’t mention it.

‘I’m glad.’  He chuckled softly before continuing to soothe her aches with his hands.  ‘I don’t want to accidentally hurt you, even if I am trying to help.’

‘Mmhm.’  She managed, her hand dropping from her face again as his touch brought goosebumps to her skin despite the hot water running over her.

‘Katie?’  He murmured, his hands sliding from her shoulders and down her arms slowly, his touch making her body respond in ways she was only just beginning to fully understand.  She responded, she knew she did, but it wasn’t so much a word as a whimper, and her breath caught as his lips brushed her ear.  ‘Is this okay?’  He whispered.

She nodded rapidly, far faster than she meant to, making his lips brush against her sensitive skin as her breath stuttered.  ‘Very okay.’  She said on a rushed breath as his hands passed her elbows and skimmed her ribs.

‘You’re okay from…last night?’  He probed, not wanting to pressure her if she was uncomfortable emotionally or physically.  ‘Because I want you to be okay, with all of this.  Just because we did…stuff, once doesn’t mean we have to rush forward again if you’re not ready or not sure.’

‘Keith,’ she turned quickly and pressed her finger to his lips, silencing him.  ‘I’m not going to say that there weren’t moments where it was uncomfortable for me, but…’ she pushed up on her toes and replaced her finger with her lips, trying her best to ignore just what was pressed against her stomach and failing miserably.  The kiss was short and simple but left them both breathless, Keith’s hands on her waist to steady her, and she had to swallow hard before continuing.  ‘But I wouldn’t change it.  I wouldn’t change this, us.  Because it was…it was good.’  She laughed shakily.

His hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb wiping at the water droplets on it as he smiled.  ‘All the same, there’s no pressure.  I waited this long.  I can wait some more.’

‘Well, yeah.’  She said overly nonchalantly.  ‘But we don’t have to wait, because, I mean, we should check it wasn’t a one off, a fluke.  For science.’  She added.

‘If it’s for science.’  Keith agreed, knowing science was something she knew, something she was comfortable with.  If that was what made her comfortable who was he to argue?

‘Science.’  She nodded.  ‘I mean it’s biology, and while that’s not really my area of expertise…’

‘Katie?’  He interrupted her.

‘Yeah?’

‘Stop talking.’

‘Right.’  She replied as he lowered his lips to claim hers once more, and suddenly talking was the last thing on her mind.

Keith’s hands slowly slid over her body, wanting to take his time and feel every inch of her.  She was so soft and petite, her small frame so delicate he wanted nothing more than to map every freckle that caressed her skin, every inch of her.  The water left her slick, his palms sliding from place to place easily, leaving heated tracks in their wake that had Pidge writhing.  Her own hands moved of their own accord, pressing first to his chest then sliding down his body.  Her left trailed over his ribs and around his back, feeling every muscle, every scar, as though mapping their location, committing them to memory.  Her right, however, showed her boldness, dragging her nails over his hip then between them, cupping him in her hand.  Keith wasn’t expecting it and he staggered forward, pressing her into the tiles as their lips were torn from one another, a growl emitting from his lips as he pinned her hand between them.

‘Mmm, you do like that.’  She murmured against his cheek, smiling to herself at the empowerment it filled her with.

‘I like you.’  He growled against her skin before shifting his hips and covering her hand with his own.  It encircled hers and he encouraged her to stroke him, just once, firmly.  ‘It’s what you do to me.’

‘Wow, I didn’t realise I was that good.’  She joked, but he didn’t take it that way.

‘So good.’  His lips stole hers in a kiss filled with passion, his hand releasing hers and seeking out her core instead.  The moisture between her legs was hotter, a contrast against that of the shower, and he quickly found her centre, sliding two fingers down and around.  He curved them through her folds teasingly, and it was her who brought their bodies together, body to body as their hands explored one another.  His fingers slipped inside her, her hips rocking towards him as her fingers and palm stroked him.  It was perhaps the hottest thing Keith had ever experienced, losing himself in her as her small palm caressed him like the most natural thing in the world.  But he knew there was more.

Taking his hand from her, he ran it down her thigh, encouraging her to raise it, then realising just how difficult their height difference could make things.  He pulled his lips from hers, making her gasp, and he looked down at her, lips parted and eyes blown wide.

‘What…?’  She started, but he interrupted.

‘I just have to…’  Without any further warning, he picked her up and pressed her back to the wall.  She had a moment to rescue her hand from between them and wrap it around his shoulders with her other, holding on tightly as they found themselves at eye level with him brushing a very intimate part of her.  One simple movement would ramp up the intimacy.  ‘Are you…’

‘Ready?  Yes.  Certain?  Yes.  About to lose my mind if you don’t?  Yes.’

He laughed softly and rested his forehead against hers as the water rained down on them both.  ‘I fucking love you.’  He murmured, shifting his hold on her just enough that the could adjust his position, lining himself up with her entry.  It took a moment, but he edged his way in, Pidge having closed her eyes as her breathing picked up, resting her forehead against his cheek.

She gave a whining moan as he seated himself fully inside her, the sensation of being so full still new but so delicious.  She itched to move but was limited by their position.

He nuzzled at her face.  ‘Okay?’

‘So okay.’  She whimpered.  ‘So good.  Please, Keith, move.’

There was something in the tone of her voice that had him throb even more than he already was, but it made him focus.  Tilting his hips, he drew himself out partway before sliding back inside her.  They both groaned in tandem, Pidge dropping her head onto his shoulder at the sheer pleasure rolling through her, his slow pace driving her some new kind of crazy she could not have imagined in her wildest of dreams.  For Keith however, it wasn’t enough, and he pressed her back against the cool tiles, shifting his grip on her to allow him freer movement.  He caught her calves over his forearms, giving him enough space to draw himself out almost to the tip before pushing back inside her again.  The throaty gasp she gave had him repeat the motion, slowly increasing his speed as his heart pummelled against his ribcage.  Pidge opened her eyes and watched the concentration on his face as her body tightened, heat flooding her from her core outwards as his control began to wane.

Desperate to ensure that this time they came together, Keith pressed his fingers tightly against her with one hand, while the other came between them, allowing him to touch her in a way that had her jolt in his arms.  The sudden additional friction had her throw her head back against the wall with a gasp, her fingers threading into his hair, clenching and unclenching as he drove her towards the edge of ecstasy.

‘Katie, I’m …’  He managed to pant, and she nodded.

‘Me too.’

He slammed into her once, twice, three more times, and on the second thrust starbursts appeared as Pidge’s vision dimmed, a strangled cry leaving her throat.  Her legs shook, her body trembling as shockwave after shockwave racked her body, and just a moment later Keith joined her, his body pressing hers into the tiled wall as he pulsed inside her, his whole body filled with lascivious pleasure.

He let out a moan as he began to come down, stepping back from the wall and carefully disengaging himself from Pidge, lowering her feet to the ground as his own legs shook from the expended energy.  Pidge, though, didn’t stand up, she simply slid down to sit on the floor, her knees bent and head lolling against the wall.

‘Ground floor, geniuses and jelly legs, everybody out.’

Keith couldn’t help but chuckle at her exhausted murmur and joined her on the floor, going to one knee first before turning and putting his back against the tile beside her.  ‘The tile’s cold.’

‘Uh huh.’  She managed as he took her hand, raising it to his lips for a soft kiss.

‘You should have said something.’

She rolled her head to look at him with a wholly satisfied smile on her face.  ‘Worth it.’  She took their joined hands and cupped his cheek.

Turning his face, he kissed her palm, holding it there for some moments.  ‘I think we’re getting pretty good at this.’  He smiled.

‘Pretty good?’  She gave him raised eyebrows.  ‘That was way better than pretty good.  I think if there was a prize, we’d take it, no contest.’

‘How would that be judged?’  He gave her a languid smile that warmed her heart, knowing she was responsible for it.

‘On second thoughts, no, no contest as in I’m not competing.  I don’t need a prize, I’ve got mine right here.’  She leant towards him and kissed his shoulder.

‘Me too.’  He rested his cheek against her hair.

‘I think I need to wash again.’  She chuckled.  ‘Not complaining, just an observation.’

‘You are good at observations.’  He remarked, raising his head to allow her to do the same.  ‘I can help you with that though.’

‘Why do I get a feeling we’re going to be in here for a while?’

‘As long as we need.’  He kissed her nose.

They sat there for some time, waiting for their heart rates to return to normal, enjoying the warmth of the water and one another.

 

81b - Experimentation

 

Pidge frowned at the sounds coming from the outer area of the shower.  She was sure she had locked the door, absolutely positive.  She had disguised herself as a boy for months, and she didn’t get found out by forgetting to lock the door.  Poking her head out of the curtain her eyes popped wide.

‘Keith?’  The sight of him wearing only his underwear, which he was even now removing, had her mouth dry and other things wet, and not just from the shower.

‘Yeah, it’s me.’  He looked up and smiled when she saw her confused, wet face.  ‘I figured after last night it might be good to do our bit for the environment and save water.’

‘We didn’t use a lot of water last ni…wait, I get it.’  She stopped herself as realisation set in.  ‘So…how did you get in?’

He nodded towards the sink where his blade sat on the back.  ‘It’s not exactly rocket science to break in here.’

‘Right.’  She nodded, disappearing back into the shower as she felt shampoo slipping down her forehead.

‘But it’s okay, right?’  She saw Keith’s silhouette pause in its undressing and she realised he was again leaving it up to her, to be her decision.

‘Yeah, it’s more than okay.’  She replied rapidly.  The thought of Keith in a shower was one thing.  One hot thing.  The thought of Keith in a shower with her?  Wow.  That was a good many things and she had an active imagination.

‘Great.’  He stepped through the curtain and made sure it was closed properly before turning to her.  ‘Hi.’

‘Hi.’  She replied, trying to keep her smile from being an out and out smitten beam.

‘Where are you up to?’  He indicated to her hair.

‘Oh, shampoo needs rinsing.  Mom wants me to use conditioner, I didn’t bother in space, but apparently it’s a bigger deal here if I don’t.  At least to her.’

‘And you don’t want to argue with your mom.’  Keith chuckled as he ran his hands through his hair, his eyes closed, which meant he missed Pidge take the opportunity to take a long, hard, pun intended, look at him while she had the chance.  Yup.  That was why she was a tad delicate this morning.  He was not small.  Not that she had anything practical to compare it to, but given the length and girth, that he wasn’t even erect, he had to be…

‘See something you like?’

If Pidge had been drinking she would have choked, as it was her eyes flew back up to his face.  ‘I wasn’t looking!’

‘You can look all you want.’  He slowly raised his hand and swept some of the bubbles from her hair.  ‘You need to rinse.’

‘Rinse, right.’  Pidge tipped her head back into the water while hoping her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt.

‘You don’t need to be embarrassed.’  Keith squeezed some shampoo into his palm.  ‘I know this is new, it is for both of us, but the sooner we get over it…’

‘You’re right.’  She sighed.  ‘Okay.  I’m over it.’

He laughed.  ‘Just like that?’

‘Just like that.’  She finished rinsing her hair and pushed the shower head towards him.  ‘Get rinsing, because I have all kinds of ideas.’

‘Really?’

‘Mullet, open up!’

They both froze at the yelled voice and banging on the door and just looked at one another for a moment.

‘What do you want, Lance?’  Keith called, rinsing his hair as she had instructed.

‘Just let me in!  I’m meeting Liliana for breakfast and I left my toothbrush in there last night!’

‘I’m not letting you in.’

‘Open the door or I will!  This is just a courtesy knock!’

‘Go away, Lance!’  Pidge yelled.

Lance blinked.  ‘Pidge?  What are you two…?’

‘Go away!’  They both shouted as one, making Lance take a step back from the door.

‘Fine, I’ll use my finger, I guess.’  Lance muttered to himself as he walked away with a disgusted look on his face.

The two burst out laughing, now that they were left in peace, and Pidge rested her arm on the wall behind Keith.  ‘Oh my God, do you think he got the hint?’

‘I sure hope so.’  He slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.  He wasn’t sure what difference them being wet made, or whether it was just the newness of things, but he could think of nothing but her as their lips met.  The little murmur she made as he slipped his tongue between her lips had him harden even more than her slick body moving against his had.

Pidge felt like her brain had melted the moment his hands touched her, but ironically it was their movement over her skin to her rear that brought her back to herself.  She managed to slow the kiss and put enough space between them for her to rest her hands either side of him on the wall while she tried to control her breathing enough to speak.  ‘Wait, wait, wait, just a sec.’

Keith looked at with concern.  ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to…’

‘Nothing to be sorry about, not yet.’  She explained.  ‘It’s just…last night, you got to do a lot to me and I didn’t get to do much to you.’

‘Trust me, you did plenty to me.’  He laughed softly, and Pidge shifted to stop him rubbing against her as it was so distracting.

‘Yeah, but there’s other things I want to do and we didn’t…’

‘What things?’  Pidge raised her eyebrows while rolling her eyes up, her face giving him a look that said he ought to know, and it only took a moment for it to register what she meant.  ‘You don’t have to…’

‘No, but I want to, if you’re good with it.  You always say we’re equals so let me have my little experiment with the not so little equipment.’  She glanced down and Keith had to swallow before he could speak again.  Okay, that was what she meant and the mental image it gave him?  Wow.

‘I’m…’  he cleared his throat, ‘I’m good with it.’

‘Awesome, just tell me if there’s anything you don’t like.’  She grinned before she sank to her knees, leaving Keith little choice but to watch her face come into line with his most intimate parts.

Pidge studied him before she touched, taking in what could work, dimensions, and even considered where she would start.  What she decided on was to steady herself with her hand and forearm on his thigh, her other hand first trailing her fingertips down him, delight filling her when it twitched on its own.  ‘Okay, that’s pretty cool.’  She murmured to herself, her fingers continuing down to caress his sac softly.  The difference in their feel against her was fascinating, and she cupped him before giving in to her desire and kissing his shaft softly near the tip.  She was surprised that such a small gesture had Keith groan and step back against the wall of the shower, which wasn’t far but he obviously felt he needed the support and she wasn’t about to complain.

Taking the base of him in her hand, she lathed her tongue from there to his tip, before swirling her tongue around the tip and looking up through her lashes to gauge his reaction.  She wasn’t sure if it was what she expected, but it was something.  Keith’s expression was one of pleasant surprise, with disbelief mixed in.  She threw him a wink that had him swallow hard, then focused on her task.

Keith didn’t know that torture could be so sweet, but here he was, being tormented by the girl he loved in the most delicious of ways, and all he could do was thank any kind of force in the universe for this incredible gift.  Her lips were soft but persistent, forming a seal and flattening her tongue against him before sliding as much of him into her as possible.  He was amazed by how each time she seemed to take more, the ride back up always ending with a soft pop and her tongue lathing around his tip.  On her third bob she paused at the top, her tongue concentrating on one particular spot which had him jerk in response, his control suddenly trying to give.  She hummed as she took him back inside her, the vibration making him cuss under his breath, and when her small fingers caressed his sac once more as she went deep, he swore his hard fought for control packed its bags and headed for the door.

‘Katie, stop.’  He groaned, his hand stroking her wet hair away from her face, his voice strained.

She backed off him quickly, careful not to hurt him, turning her eyes up at him in a way that made him swallow heavily.  ‘Sorry, did I do something wrong?  I’m learning on the job, literally.’

‘You’re perfect, too damn perfect.’  He laughed shakily before crouching beside her.  ‘And there’s still some things I’d like to do.’

She gave him a curious look.  ‘I’m listening.’

He leaned forward and kissed her, his tongue tasting her with long, languid strokes.  ‘Just, bear with me, okay?’

She swept her hair back from her face.  ‘Okay.  I trust you, you know that.’

‘Good.’  He smiled then moved around behind her and going to his knees, pulling her back flush against his chest and lower things.

‘I like this already.’  She remarked as he kissed her shoulder and steadied her with his hands on her hips.

‘And I’m just getting started.’  He murmured against her skin, the words making her close her eyes as desire coursed through her.

His hands began to travel her body, across her stomach and up to cup her breast, while the other trailed lower.  Pidge groaned and dropped her head back against his shoulder, her hand reaching behind her to touch him, it didn’t matter where, she just needed to feel him, and settled for his thighs.  He worked at her with both hands, teasing her nipples to points while his fingers worked their magic lower down, dipping in and out of her before sliding over her sensitive bud that felt swollen and tender.  Soon she was panting, whining in her throat, and Keith knew from that and the feel of her around his fingers that she was ready.  Carefully, he lowered her upper body onto her hands then elbows, stroking her back before teasing her entrance with the tip of his dick.  Pidge’s instinct was to push back against him, to try and take him inside her immediately, but he continued to tease, sliding it along her slit and rubbing her clit until she mewled in such a way he twitched against her.

‘You’re tormenting me.’  She dropped her head against her hands, pouting even though he couldn’t see.

‘And I suppose you didn’t just do the same to me?’  He smiled at how riled up she was, knowing he had done this, and that he was going to be the one to quench her desires.

‘You made me stop.’

‘Are you going to make me stop?’  He brought his length to her entrance and swirled it around, Pidge’s thighs clenching in anticipation.

‘I want you in me!’  She pleaded, and it did something to Keith he hadn’t known he was capable of.  He felt things tighten and lengthen more, his control over his actions, his attempt to be gentle, drifting away from his mind as he pushed himself inside her.

‘You want this?’  He asked, his voice soft yet tight, still showing his mastery of his own emotions.

‘I want all of it, please, Keith.’  She asked rather than begged.  ‘Seriously!  Enough foreplay!’

‘Fuck.’  Her words pushed him over the edge he had been riding and he slammed into her faster than he meant to, his body lurching forward over her back as his hand landed beside her own.  She gave a small, strangled cry and he froze, worried he had gone too hard and too fast.  ‘Are you okay?’  Concern stained his words but Pidge nodded quickly.

‘I’d be more okay if you got on with it, you teasing asshole.’

He laughed at her reply, knowing she was fine, knowing she was down for this.  ‘Whatever you want.’

‘I want you to move.’  She rocked her own hips, making him slide inside her and she all but purred.

He didn’t speak again, instead he kissed her shoulder and straightened again, his hands coming up to hold her hips in place as he withdrew from her moist depths.

Pidge couldn’t have described the sensation this new position brought her if she tried.  She could feel every inch of him stroking her insides, a tingling inside her already starting as the strength in his hands held her steady to meet his thrusts.  And they were thrusts, solid and fast inside her, his flesh meeting hers noisily in a lurid way that only made things better.

The speed at which Pidge approached orgasm surprised her, perhaps it was the angle or the position, but she wasn’t going to argue with her body as heat burned from her core outwards like some great tsunami racing to the shore.

‘Fuck!  Quiznak!  ‘Oh GOD!’  Her profanity laden screams pushed Keith closer and his pace sped up, shorter strokes but deeper.  Her body clenched around him a moment before she howled throatily, her body giving out on her in a massive rush that had her vision shutting down and her limbs tremor in ecstasy.  ‘Keith!  Oh my…Keith!’  She called his name like a prayer and it finished him, his name from lips that had just recently driven him to the edge of madness, the vision of her looking up at him dragging him into the abyss even as she came undone before him.  The grunts he made were sin itself, and their joined bodies spasmed together for some time, the water spray hitting Keith’s back and trickling down onto Pidge beneath him.  Her breath was a gasping whimper, her body trembling uncontrollably at how he had ravaged her in such a short space of time.

He sat back onto his heels, slowly drawing himself out of her but finding it difficult as her body held to him like it didn’t want to let him go, the spasms grasping him.  After taking a moment to catch his breath he gathered Pidge in his arms and sat back, placing her in his lap and out of the majority of the water, resting her weary body against his chest.  He kissed her temple and looked down at her chest, still rising and falling rapidly, and a sense of pride fell over him at what he had accomplished.

‘You okay?  Conscious?  Awake?’  He tried, nudging her softly with his arms that held her close.

‘I think you killed me.  Like, there is no way I can feel that good and still be living.  And I think I need about another week’s more sleep.’

He chuckled at her lethargic words then tilted her head up to claim her lips.  ‘How about we get finished in here, I’ll go scavenge us up some breakfast and energy drinks, and you can go back to sleep?’

‘Oh my God, you are the absolute best.’  She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close.

‘I don’t know, I had never imagined your mouth was that talented, which makes you the best.’

‘It’s just research.’  She shrugged.  ‘You can find anything online.’

He paused before replying as he processed that.  ‘You…researched how to give head?’

‘I researched how to give you head.’  She specified.  ‘Not that I searched your name for clues, I just didn’t, and don’t, have any plans to use my data on anyone else.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’  He reached up and grabbed her conditioner, squirted some into his hand, and began running it through her hair.  ‘Get this rinsed, wash yourself, and we can go towel off and put our plan into motion.’

‘The plan to let me sleep more?’  She checked, and he nodded.

‘That plan.  It’s still early, we have plenty of time.’

‘And I am going to make the most of it.’  She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his fingers in her hair.

‘I think we already have.’  He smiled, feeling so utterly smug that he worried that it was going to be a dead giveaway to anyone they saw as to what they had been up to.

Notes:

Coming up! Lance still can't keep his mouth shut!

Chapter 82: Lance's Foot, Meet Mouth

Summary:

Lance just doesn't know when to shut up!

Notes:

Help! Can't stay awake! It's only 7pm! I'm posting this in some vague hope of staving away the need to be unconcious! Enjoy this mess Lance makes before I do!

Lance felt like he had the worst morning breath, after all the food and drink last night and then not having access to his own damn toothbrush.  He didn’t want to dwell too much on what he might have interrupted in the shower though and he would happily forgo his toothbrush so long as it meant he didn’t need bleach for his eyeballs.  Now if he could only bleach his memory too, he would be all fixed up.

Liliana was waiting for him when he reached the cafe and he kissed her cheek, hoping to bypass the feeling of death breath by adding coffee to mask anything he might have missed.  She watched as he took his seat, cheeks slightly flushed and a look of…not concern, but something, on his face.  Something had bothered him.  ‘Are you alright?’  She asked as he poured himself a coffee.  He seemed twitchy, almost, nervous.

‘Yeah, no, I’m good, great even.’  He offered her a smile but it was off somehow.

‘Okay.’  She dragged the word out.  ‘Because if you want to talk about it, I’m here.  And if you don’t, I’m still here.’

He smiled at her again, but this time it was genuine, as he realised she knew something was wrong but gave him options where she supported him, whether he wanted to talk to her or not.  ‘You might regret asking.’  He said quietly, taking her hand where it rested on the table.

‘If it help you I would never regret it.’  She assured him.

‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’  He sighed, glancing down at the table then back up into her eyes.  ‘I left my toothbrush in the communal bathroom last night and when I went to get it…’  Movement caught his eye as Keith came into the cafe, looking far too pleased with himself.  ‘Well, speak of the devil.’

‘Morning, Liliana.  Lance.’  Keith looked at them in turn but his smile turned to a smirk as his eyes met Lance’s.  ‘Sorry you couldn’t get your toothbrush earlier.’

‘No, you’re not.’

‘God, no, I’m not.’  He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck before going to the refrigerator and taking two pouches of water and two energy drinks.  Next he went to the counter and ordered a selection of fruits and pastries.

‘You are sick, Kogane.’  Lance shook his head.  ‘That’s not your personal shower for you to do as you please.’

‘Like you wouldn’t do the same, given the opportunity.’  He moved his head just slightly in Liliana’s direction and Lance’s red cheeks filled his entire face, reaching his ears in embarrassment.

‘What?!  No!  How could you…?!  I wouldn’t…!  I mean…!’  He jumped to his feet defensively, glancing at Liliana, which only made things worse.  ‘Don’t lump me in with you, you…you…’

Keith collected his breakfast from the server and headed towards the door.  ‘Let me know when you come up with something.’  He nodded to Matt as he passed him in the doorway.

‘What are we yelling about?’  Matt asked as Lance finally found some words to spew.

‘KEITH FUCKED PIDGE IN THE SHOWER!’

Keith froze the few feet away from the door he had reached and turned around, giving Matt a worried look.

Matt slowly turned around, his eyebrows raising in an unimpressed look as he finally made eye contact with Keith.

Keith did the only thing he could think of.  ‘I gotta go.’  And he turned and ran back into the hostel, not looking back, just in case.

Notes:

Phew, still awake, for now!

Coming up! Pidge wakes up, she and Keith talk.

Chapter 83: Reality Check

Summary:

Keith tells Pidge about Lance's outburst.

Notes:

Hey all! Another day, another awful night of pain and little sleep! Oh well, nothing new there! But I have managed to bang out chapter 110 already today so that's a bonus in my eyes!

Pidge didn’t think she had ever slept as well as she did for the hour Keith let her rest after their shower shenanigans.  He had been true to his word, tucked her up in bed in one of his T-shirts, and went to find breakfast.  He wasn’t gone long but he came back and kept himself busy, setting out breakfast and dropping the flower he had taken off the bush outside into a spare glass.  He packed his belongings, ready for the off later, then slipped off his boots and lay on the covers beside Pidge.  She was laying on her back with her left arm above her head, one leg on top of the covers, and all he could do was lie on his side and watch her.  She was so beautiful, so relaxed and in his bed, in his arms.  She was his, he was hers, and he wouldn’t change that for the world.  Several worlds, in fact.

She murmured and rolled towards him, bumping her nose on his arm and her forehead wrinkled as she began to wake up.

‘You’re like a fricking wall.’  She muttered, ducking under his arm and nuzzling against his chest.  ‘But you’re cute, so I’ll give you a pass.’

‘Good morning, again.’  He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

‘Morning, right, the cursed hours.’  She lay still for a moment then took in a deep breath.  ‘How long did I sleep?’

‘Just an hour.  But that was long enough.’

She peeked at him out of one eye.  ‘Long enough for what?’

‘Long enough for Lance to open his big mouth.’

She groaned and leant back far enough to see him clearly.  ‘What did he say?’

Keith sighed.  ‘I got us breakfast, let’s eat and I’ll tell you.’  He got up and brought over the food, realising that after all his efforts to get the flower he had nowhere to put it, so instead just presented it to her, making her laugh.

‘Thank you.’  She went to take it from him but instead he tucked it behind her ear.  ‘So, who did big mouth McClain tell?’

He handed her what he knew was her favourite pastry as she finished sitting up properly, followed by water and the energy drink.  ‘When I was leaving the cafe, Matt was just going in…’

Pidge choked on the pastry, the flaky pieces shooting down her throat and making matters worse.  Keith quickly pierced a water pouch and handed it to her, letting her take a few sips as her eyes watered, wide in shock.  ‘He told Matt!?’

‘He screamed it in the cafe, in front of the staff and Liliana.’

She took a long, deep breath and let it out slowly.  ‘What did he scream, exactly?’  Keith pressed his lips together, unsure how to say it exactly, so she punched him in the knee.  ‘Tell me!’

‘He screamed I’d fucked you in the shower.’

‘In those words?!’  Her mouth fell open.

‘Exactly those words.’

Pidge took another bite of her pastry without even thinking, her mind going over things.  ‘Then…why isn’t Matt beating down the door?’

‘You want him to?’  Keith asked in confusion.

She shook her head.  ‘You know what?  He’s caught you coming out of my room, he knows we’ve shared a bed.  I wonder if he think we were already doing it or that it was inevitable.’

Keith rested his chin on his hand as he watched her mulling things over.  ‘I don’t want this to worry you.’

‘I’ll worry about it when there’s something to worry about.’  She shrugged.  ‘If Matt isn’t hammering on the door, if Dad isn’t blowing up my phone, then we’re good.  Even Mom checked last night I was still on birth control.’

It was Keith’s turn to choke, this time on energy drink.  He fought for it not to spray all over her and the bed, instead forcing it up the back of his nose, and he ended up running into the bathroom to spit it out and clean up.

‘You can’t be surprised about that.’  She called after him, and after a moment he reappeared, trying to look composed.

‘I mean…’

‘Which bit was it, the thought that Mom knew we were likely to, or the fact you hadn’t considered me getting pregnant?’

He ran his hand over his face.  ‘Jesus Christ, I hadn’t realised it was this easy to slip up.’

‘Well, thinking with your dick can lead to you acting like one, not that I’m blaming you, I should have told you I was covered.’

‘You’re always prepared.’  He finally sat back down facing her, one leg bent on the bed, the other on the floor.  ‘And I’m grateful.’

‘Same.  Because last night the last thing on my mind was whether we needed something.  Plus I guess in the back of my mind I knew I was good.’  She popped the last piece of her pastry in her mouth and grabbed her water.  ‘Alfayan fefual heawf if be’uh van urf even mao.’

Keith laughed at her talking around her mouthful.  ‘Altean what?’

She held up one finger and finished chewing, taking a sip of water and repeating herself.  ‘Altean sexual health is better than Earth, even now.’  She repeated, grabbing one of the apples he had bought.

‘That’s pretty good to hear.’

‘But let’s move on from that and instead plot our revenge on Lance.’

‘Sure, he needs some kind of backlash, but revenge?  Might be a bit harsh.’

‘Fine, backlash, payback, whatever.  He just announced our personal business to not only our envoys, but in a public space that could, and probably has, a surveillance system.  Oh, I should get on deleting that too.’  She glanced around for her laptop then remembered they weren’t in her room.  ‘Can we just request we share a room in Washington?’  Keith blinked at her and she quickly covered her back.  ‘If you want to.  You don’t have to, I just realised that my stuff isn’t here and I’m going to have to walk of shame back to my room.’

Keith folded his arms and gave her a serious look.  ‘Captain Holt, are you asking me to cohabit with you?’

Pidge flushed pink, he could see the colour race up her chest, and she swallowed hard.  ‘Maybe.  At least tomorrow night, for convenience.  And if we are going to be doing this for a while longer then I don’t see why we wouldn’t gravitate to it eventually.  Of course, I’d still like my own space for late night work and spreading out my components and the like, I don’t imagine you’d appreciate coming home to a decimated computer on every conceivable surface, but it could work, in the long run, if we decide we want to.  Of course I’m real messy in general, without the electronic parts strewn over a wide area, and I don’t expect you to live like that, it’s my choice, or rather my lack of interest in cleaning up after myself, that…’

Keith quieted her with a kiss that surprised her, her eyes going wide for a moment before they fluttered closed as she became more invested in the kiss.  He moved back and smiled at her.  ‘You don’t need to make excuses.  I’ll speak to Shiro, or at least send him a message, and see if we can share a room tonight.  We can figure out the rest later.’

She gave him a small, grateful smile.  ‘I’d like that.’

‘Maybe that can be our revenge on Lance, living our best lives together.’

She poked him in the chest.  ‘You said no revenge.’

‘I guess I did.’  He pulled her into his arms.  ‘But if that’s the way we plan to do it, I think I could get behind it.’

Notes:

Next up! Matt wants to talk!

Chapter 84: Lance, On The Hook

Summary:

Matt has some choice words

Notes:

Hi all! It's a beautiful sunny Saturday! That's it! Nothing else to report other than my house looks like a suitcase exploded, simply because we are slowly getting things together for our vacay to the coast in just over a week! if I don't start getting organised now I'll start having nightmares about it in the few hours I do sleep!

‘Let’s talk.’  Matt grabbed Lance by the back of his shirt and pulled him to his feet, dragging him out of the cafe as Liliana watched on in concern.  Matt didn’t let him go until they were out of sight of the hostel, around a corner between a flower shop and a grocery store.  ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’  Matt gave him a fierce look, his arms folded and stance angry.

Lance huffed out a sigh and sheepishly ran his hand into his hair.  ‘I’m sorry, okay, I was mad at them for…’

‘For what?  What could make you so mad that in a public place with CCTV you announced my sister’s sex life for the entire world?’

‘Uh…my toothbrush…’

‘This is about a TOOTHBRUSH?’  Matt yelled at him and Lance flinched.  He realised he had overreacted, and badly, but he had been so flustered by what he had almost walked in on that he hadn’t know how to react, or how not to.

‘I owe them an apology, I know.  I fucked up big time.  Do you think you can delete any security footage?  At least do some damage control?’

‘If Pidge knows about this she probably already has, but I’ll check anyway.  And you, you had better come up with a damn good apology.’

‘My brain is already working overtime on it.’

Matt narrowed his eyes at him.  ‘That is not reassuring.’

Lance threw his hands out, palm up.  ‘If I could use other body parts to come up with it, I would!  But I’m stuck with my brain!’

‘Sucks to be you.’  Matt stepped close to him, and Lance had never seen him so serious.  ‘If you ever even think about doing something that could hurt my sister again, even her reputation, we will have a bigger problem than this even.  Do I make myself clear?’

Lance swallowed and nodded, maybe a little too fast, but still.  ‘I didn’t mean to hurt her this time.  I’ll apologise to her and Keith, just please, can you try and take the footage down?’

‘I’ll do what I can.  I know we’re friends, Lance, not close, but we are, and I don’t want to ruin that because you have a runaway mouth.  My family will always be my priority.  Remember that.’

‘I’m not likely to forget.  I’m the same way with mine.’  Lance agreed readily.  ‘And somehow I’ll make it up to them.’

‘You do that.’  Matt walked away, leaving Lance to think over the last few minutes, what an idiot he had been, and just how he could make things right.

Notes:

Up Next! Matt is the best big bro

Chapter 85: Certified Gremlin

Summary:

Matt and Pidge talk...and it doesn't go how she expected!

Notes:

Hey anyone still reading! I am late posting today, no real reason, just got busy and forgot!

Pidge had deleted the footage, dressed, and packed, in that order, and was all ready to head out when there was a knock on the door.  Opening it, she found Matt, giving her a concerned look.

Her shoulders slumped and she rolled her eyes, expecting him to tear her a new one, and stepped back, not wanting to do so in the hallway.  As soon as the door was shut she turned and looked at him.

‘Whatever you feel the need to get off your chest, just do it, because everything was consensual and I don’t regret it.’  Matt gave her a long look in silence, she knew it was a tactic to try and get her to talk more, and dammit, it was going to work.  ‘Seriously, say what you have to say!  I’m ready for it and have a full mental rebuttal prepared!’

Matt walked towards her, the worry on his face only growing, and she shifted nervously.  He rested his hand on her shoulder and gave her prolonged eye contact before speaking.  ‘Are you okay?’

Pidge was taken aback, her head twitching at the question, not even close to what she had expected.  ‘Am I…what?’

‘Are you okay?’

‘I..again, not wanting to sound like I’m stuck in a loop, but, what?’

‘After Lance announced your personal business in a very public setting.  Are.  You.  Okay?’

‘Oh, that?’  She blinked in surprise that this was the road he had chosen to go down.  ‘Yeah, I’m fine.  I already deleted the footage, and he wouldn’t be Lance if he didn’t shove his foot in his mouth at least once a day.’

‘That answers my next question too.’  He smiled in relief.  ‘That you deleted the footage.  Lance asked me to do it if you hadn’t.’

‘Of course I have.  Though, I guess delete it isn’t exactly true.’  She reached up to adjust her glasses, then realised, and instead ran her fingers through her hair.  ‘I kept a copy, but no one else can find it.  I want bribery material.’

Matt laughed out loud and bundled her into a tight hug.  ‘There was me thinking you wouldn’t want to show your face in public.’

‘Why wouldn’t I?  I didn’t do anything wrong.’  She closed her eyes at the comfort his arms brought her.  ‘You’re not mad?’

‘Would there be any point in me getting mad at you?  All you would do is get defensive and, in all likelihood, go and do Keith again just to spite me.’

She chuckled.  ‘I don’t need an excuse but it does sound like a good one.’

‘Don’t do it on my account.  That’s weird.’  He separated from her and went into her room proper.  ‘Are you all packed?’

‘Wait, that’s it?  No big brotherly take precautions, don’t be talked into anything you don’t want to do?  Nothing?  Because I’ve been going over our potential argument in my head and I have answers to everything.’

‘Are you taking precautions?  Are you being forced into this?  There.  I asked.  You don’t even have to answer.’

Pidge blustered for a second as Matt looked around for anything she might have forgotten.  ‘I mean, yeah I am, and no I’m not, so…we’re good?’

‘We’re good.  If you’re ready, we can take your bags to Green ready for the off.’

‘I’m waiting for Keith.’  She said hesitantly.  ‘You don’t have anything else to say?’

‘Give Lance a chance to apologise?’  He shrugged.  ‘He is sorry.’

‘You spoke to him about it?’  Matt’s face changed to a smirk and Pidge frowned at him.  ‘What did you say?’

‘I told him what I thought.’  Matt shouldered her bag.  ‘I assume you’ll bring your laptop yourself?’

‘Yeah.  And what do you think?  Because I know that’s not all.’

‘I told Lance he was out of order for doing what he did.  I know he blurted it out to try and get Keith in trouble and it had something to do with a toothbrush?’

Pidge snorted a laugh.  ‘Yeah, it was about a toothbrush.’

He wrinkled his nose.  ‘Do I want to know?’

‘Ew!’  She slapped his arm.  ‘We didn’t do anything kinky with Lance’s toothbrush!  He left it in the bathroom last night and…we wouldn’t let him in the bathroom to get it.’

‘That’s all it was?’

‘That’s all it was.’  She shrugged, grabbing her laptop bag.  ‘Sure, we could have just had one of us answer him but honestly, we didn’t want him in there with us!’

‘Gee, he made a bigger deal out of this than it needed to be.’  Matt shook his head.  'As long as you’re good and you’re happy to let Lance apologise, then it’s fine.’

‘Fine, right.’  Pidge looked skeptical.  ‘Do you know what made him yell it out in the first place?’

He shook his head.  ‘I assumed he and Keith were having one of their standard bitch sessions.’

Pidge shook her head.  ‘Lance implied Keith was sick for using the shower that way and Keith shot back that he knew Lance would do the same given half the chance, in front of Liliana.’

‘He embarrassed him in front of his girl.’  He nodded knowingly.  ‘So, yeah, one of their standard bitch sessions, just with a new topic.’

‘That about covers it.’

‘Those two will never change.’

‘Would we want them to though?’

Pidge looked thoughtful.  ‘Maybe Lance could mature a bit.  Stop yelling about other peoples love lives unsolicited.’

‘I think this time might give him something to think about.’  He assured her.

There was another knock at the door and Pidge knew who it would be, but she just looked at Matt in askance, the question being if he was going to play nice if she let Keith in.

‘Jeez, you don’t trust me at all, do you?’  Matt laughed and went for the door.  ‘Come on in, lover boy.  I’m heading to the lions.  See you there?’

‘Uh, yeah, sure.’  He glanced at Pidge, who nodded encouragingly.

‘Don’t be too long.’  He winked at Pidge, who gave him a small wave, then closed the door behind him.

‘What did…uh…is he mad?  Or something else?’

‘He’s fine.’  Pidge shook her head.  ‘I think he’s more pissed at Lance for announcing it than anything else.’

‘I guess that’s something.  I was half expecting him to slug me.’

‘Aw, you’re too cute to slug.’  Pidge wrapped her arms around his waist, looking up at him with an exaggerated pout.

‘I don’t think your brother has the same opinion as you.’  He booped her nose.  ‘And if anyone is cute, it’s you.’

‘Pfft, no.’  She shook her head.  ‘I am a certified gremlin.  And a proud one at that.’

‘Gremlins can be cute.’  He argued.

‘Not this one.’  She pulled a face and tickled him.  ‘I’m a monster, through and through.’

‘Hey!’  He flinched away and took the laptop bag out of her hands, placing it on the floor behind him with his own bag.

‘I told you!  I’m monstrous!’

‘Monstrously cute!’  He argued, picking her up around the thighs and bundled her back onto the bed, much to her surprise.  She giggled all the way down as Keith kissed and playfully nibbled at her neck.

‘Nooooo!  Not cute!  Keith!  Quit it!’  She playfully swatted at him, not really meaning it, and rather enjoying the attention Keith was lavishing on her neck.

‘Admit you’re cute.’  He purred in her ear, and she couldn’t help but close her eyes and release a shaky breath.

‘Never.’  She murmured, her fingers grasping at him through his clothes.

‘Then I’ll just have to keep reminding you, every day.’  He nuzzled his nose against her neck.

‘If it means you stay with me, then I’ll keep denying it.’

He pushed up on his elbows and looked down at her, the sincerity clear in his eyes.  ‘I don’t plan on going anywhere without you.’

Pidge leant up and brought her lips to his, a soft touch that had her stomach knotting.  It was the best thing she had heard all day.

Notes:

Coming up! Arrival in DC!

Numbers so far: 166k words, 113 chapters!

Chapter 86: Washington DC

Summary:

It's Shiro's turn to put his foot in his mouth; Keith makes a gesture.

Notes:

HI all! Posting late again today because I've been on a little outing this morning and fell asleep when I got in! My lil yorkie, Peach, had her six month check! She's 10 now and still in amazing health! And after we went and had lunch (me, my girls, and mum) at a lovely garden centre near us! Peach got to pick a new toy, she chose a squeaky ball that looks like a tiny American football! She carried it to the checkout herself and everything, squeaking as she went!

I'll try and post earlier tomorrow, but we're off on another of our cheapo cinema trips to see Moana 2 this time, then a little shopping in prep for our vacay next week, getting some essentials I need monthly and seem to have run out of!

‘The bravery of these individuals will go down in history like none before them.  Their tenacity, their strength, their fortitude, may never again be matched in human, nay across multiple galaxies, history.  United by chance, or some might say fate, they…’

Pidge tried to suppress a yawn, standing between Keith and Lance on the stage with Shiro, Allura and Hunk, while the president gave what she felt was the longest speech in history.  She couldn’t help but wonder if her speech writer had swallowed a thesaurus to be going on this long, with so many synonyms thrown in.

‘Sorry.’  Keith murmured, just loud enough for her to hear, and she frowned, giving him a side eye.

‘What are you sorry for?’  She whispered in reply.

‘All the physical exertion over the last twenty-four hours.’

She snorted a tiny laugh but managed to cover both it and her smile by rubbing her fingers over the end of her nose.  ‘You’re good, Kogane, but you’re not as sleep inducing as this boring speech.’

‘Shh.’  Shiro nudged Keith from his other side and he focused back on facing forward, but he couldn’t keep the smug grin off his face.

The speech went on for several more minutes, then the president handed over to Allura, who spoke for several more minutes, followed by Shiro.  In all, with the medal presentation thrown in, it took the best part of an hour, and then there were official photos to be taken too.  By the time they were done, Pidge’s eyes were watering, more from boredom than tiredness, and was grateful to walk away from the stage to where Sam, Matt, Coran, and Liliana awaited them, along with Hunk’s envoy.  Pidge finally let herself yawn fully and wipe at her eyes as Sam rubbed her back, speaking as he did so.

‘I know it has been a long afternoon already, but you have a good few hours before tonight’s ball, so rest up.  Your outfits for tonight are in your rooms already, and we’ll head over there next.  You have until six-thirty when we all need to be ready to be escorted back to The White House.  Understood?’

‘Thanks, Sam.’  Shiro smiled warmly.

‘Oh, apart from you, Matt.  We need to go hire you a tuxedo, as you were a last minute add on.’

‘Sucker.’  Pidge murmured, Matt sticking his tongue out at her playfully.

‘Also,’ Sam said pointedly, giving Pidge a small poke, ‘your bags have already been taken to your rooms.  So go, relax, go for a walk, just make sure you’re ready on time.’

‘Where are we staying, exactly?’  Lance asked.  He had been suspiciously quiet since they left, those who came in from Cuba knew why, but the others had picked up on it.

‘We’re staying in Blair House, it’s the president’s official guest house, which is just across the street.’  Liliana informed them.  ‘It’s fully staffed too, so if you want anything to eat or drink, or directions, anything like that, they’re just a quick call away.’

‘Sounds great.’  Keith agreed.  ‘I think we could all do with a little down time before tonight.  I know a lot of us share the sentiment that a presidential ball is going to be nerve wracking.’

‘I can handle the ball, it’s having to do it in a dress that’s making me uncomfortable.’  Pidge shifted from foot to foot at the thought of what she was going to have to put up with later.

‘You’ll be fine.’  Sam assured her.

‘Yeah, I know.  I won’t like it though.’  She smiled for her dad, earning herself a hug.

‘I’m going with Matthew, but I’d still like to talk to you about everything that happened with Jameson.’

‘Aw, but I want to nap.’  She wrinkled her nose.

‘Then we can go over it when we head back to the garrison tomorrow.  But we do have to go over it and file an official report.’

‘Yeah, I know how it goes.  Protocol.’

‘Exactly.’  Sam kissed the top of her head.  ‘I’ll see you later.’

She waved them both off and minutes later they were being led across to Blair House.

The interlinked townhouses were enormous, containing one hundred and nineteen rooms, which incorporated fourteen bedrooms and thirty-five bathrooms.  They would not need most of the living space as this was just a one night visit, but they were there if anyone wanted to use them, on offer for the heroes of many universes.

‘Keith.’  Shiro called him from the back of the group and beckoned for the younger man to hang back with him.

‘What’s up, Shiro?’  He asked, watching Pidge as she walked ahead, talking animatedly with Hunk.

‘I just wanted to let you know I got your requests, and while I couldn’t change the sleeping arrangements, the other thing is all organised for you.’

A smile split Keith’s face in a way Shiro had rarely seen.  ‘I appreciate it, and don’t worry about the room thing.  Pidge and I get it.  But let me know what I owe you.’

‘You don’t owe me anything.’  Shiro patted him on the shoulder.  ‘Just…be happy.’

‘I am.  I think I’m maybe the happiest I have ever been in my life.’

‘I’m glad.  And I also didn’t have you pinned for a romantic, but what do I know?  I’ve never had the opportunity to see you like this.’

Keith laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.  ‘I actually didn’t realise it myself.  It’s funny what the right person can do to you.’

‘Isn’t it?’

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up…’

‘It’s fine, Keith, just know I get it.’  He encouraged him to follow the group through the classically decorated hallway.  ‘Little gestures can go a long way, but remember, Katie might be wary of anything physical after the negative attention she received from Jameson.  Even though you’ve shared a room, she still might not be ready.’

Keith opened his mouth to reply then closed it again, hoping the heat he felt in his cheeks wasn’t showing.  ‘I’ll remember that.’

‘What?’  Shiro stopped him again.  ‘Did I miss something?’

‘I just don’t think Pidge is the sort to equate all physical attention to one bad experience.’

‘Oh my God, you already slept with her?’

The rest of the group stopped and turned, Shiro having spoken louder than he meant to, Pidge gave wide eyes filled with irritation, and Lance facepalmed so hard it echoed through the now silent hallway.

‘What the hell is it with everyones obsession with my sex life?!’

Hunk gasped, as though it was the most scandalous thing he had ever heard.  ‘You have a sex life?!’

‘Oh for quiznaks sake.’  Pidge threw her hands in the air and walked on ahead, linking her arm with Liliana’s as she went.  ‘Show me which room is mine so I can crawl under the covers and hope they eat me alive.’

‘Pidge, I’m sorry I…’  Shiro called after her but she waved her hand dismissively.

‘Join the club, Shiro, they have shirts, and Lance is the founding member.’  She shouted back, Liliana glancing back over her shoulder apologetically.

Pidge didn’t speak until they were out of sight down another hallway and when she did it was with a heavy sigh.  ‘I disguised myself as a guy for some time and went undiscovered, but despite that, I still don’t understand how that damn Y chromosome makes them so fucking stupid!’  She was so frustrated that it made Liliana give her a sympathetic look.

‘They do seem to have a penchant for not knowing when to keep their mouths shut, and control the volume.’

‘I didn’t realise when I slept with Keith that it would mean the entire team would be in on it.  I should have guessed this would happen.  If we were still back on the castleship it would probably have been discussed over dinner like it was no big deal.’

‘It doesn’t have to be a big deal now either though.’  Liliana tried to help.  ‘They’re only interested because they love both you and Keith, and it’s actually probably less interest and more they’re all invested, from what I hear, at least.’

Pidge ran her hand over her face and into her hair.  ‘Then they should learn to be subtle about it.’

Liliana smiled and checked her list.  ‘This is your room.’  She presented her with the keycard.  ‘I am in this wing with you, Lance and Keith are on the floor above with Matt.  Allura, Shiro, Hunk, his envoy, Chen, Coran, and your father are all in the other wing.  There are a couple of living areas on the lower floor, feel free to use them as you see fit.’

‘I was serious, I’m going to see if my bed will eat me.’  Pidge gave a sardonic smile as she unlocked her door.  ‘Failing that I could go for a walk and get lost somewhere in the city for an indefinite amount of…what the shit?’

The door had swung open, revealing a ginormous suite, with its own living area, dining table, and separate bedroom and en suite bathroom, but what grabbed her attention was the huge bouquet of red roses on the table in the centre of the room.

‘A welcome gift?’  Liliana said hesitantly, having not been informed of such, and checking her paperwork just in case.

‘I have no idea.’  Pidge walked closer and noticed other things around the base of the vase, including a silver foil packet, which she checked.  ‘Holy shit, he remembered.’  She murmured, checking the flowers and finding a card tucked in them.  She laughed softly as she read it before standing it on the table.  ‘I didn’t know he could be so sappy.’

‘So, they’re from Keith?’

‘Yeah.’  She held up the package, unable to keep the smile off her face.  ‘And he remembered I like peanut butter cookies.  I don’t know what to think.  I’ve never had anything like this before.’

Liliana came further into the room and wrapped her arm around Pidge’s shoulder.  ‘He’s trying, and succeeding I would say, to be romantic.  I don’t think either of you are used to this so he’s gone for traditional and added a personal touch with the cookies.  Just thank him and make sure he knows you’re grateful for the effort, even if flowers wouldn’t be your first choice for a gift.’

‘I don’t mind that they’re flowers.’  She touched the petals gently.  ‘Through Green I have a kind of affinity with plants, or a greater appreciation for them at least.  And these are beautiful.  And huge.  What’s the proper response to a surprise like this, other than thanks and gratitude?’

‘I might not be the best person to ask.’  Liliana laughed.  ‘And if it were someone less…sensitive, I think is a good word, well…let’s just say someone like Jameson, they might expect something more…physical, in return.’

‘Are you saying flowers for a blow job?’  Pidge gave her a disgusted look.

‘From what I witnessed with Jameson, that wouldn’t surprise me, but some men would expect it.  I don’t think Keith is one of those men.’

‘Oh, I know Keith isn’t one of those men.’  Pidge assured her as she walked further into the room, looking around as she did.  ‘Neither is Lance, or Hunk.  Or Shiro.  Or Matt.  Basically I’ve never met a douche canoe like Jameson before, so I count myself lucky.  Although…maybe not in everything.’  She stopped in front of the ornate closet, on which hung her dress for the ball.

‘Oh, that is beautiful.’  Liliana murmured softly as she stepped up behind her.

‘On the hanger, sure, but on me?  I don’t know…’  Pidge let her voice trail off.

‘You’ll look beautiful.’  Liliana promised her.

‘I hope you’re right.’  Pidge swallowed hard.  She hadn’t been wrong about the thought of wearing a ballgown being the worst part about tonight, and now she was nervous in all sorts of different ways.

Notes:

Up next! Keith, Pidge, and a nap!

Chapter 87: Naptime

Summary:

Exactly what the title says; Naptime!!

Notes:

Morning all! It is 650am, I have been up almost two hours, and have had about the same amount in sleep!!! So enjoy this chapter, I'm going to do some more writing before I have to go out at 830 for our cinema trip and last minute holibobs shopping!

Keith unpacked his bag, having looked over his black and red suit already.  It was a modified tuxedo, or personalised might be a better description.  The pants, shirt, and cummerbund were black, as was the handkerchief in his jacket pocket, which was adorned with a gold Voltron symbol.  His jacket and bow tie however were the red of, well, Red.  There was also a pair of the shiniest shoes he thought he had ever seen.  It was made to measure, he knew that, and he also knew that Hunk, Lance, and Shiro would each have corresponding suits.  What he wasn’t sure of was what Pidge would be wearing.  They had agreed to stick with the colours of their paladin uniforms and original lions, just for simplicity and clarity.

He sat on the side of the bed and bounced slightly, testing the mattress before continuing putting his toiletries in the bathroom that was, in his opinion, much bigger than it needed to be, with a double walk in shower and enormous corner bath.  It did give him some ideas, ones that had him adjust his pants slightly, but he was sure they wouldn’t have time for that…would they?  He shook his head.  Pidge had said she wanted a nap and he was happy to let her do that, though he wasn’t sure she was napping so much as hiding out of sheer embarrassment.  He was just grateful Sam wasn’t there when Shiro announced what he did.  His phone sounded as he returned to the bedroom and he picked it up where he had left it on a side table.  It was a message from Pidge, and he eagerly opened it.

Big thx for the flowers and cookies, I love them 💚 xxx

He quickly replied.

You’re welcome and worth it. X

He was expecting her to leave it at that but could see she was typing again.  He took a seat on the bed and waited more impatiently than he would admit, even to himself.

Wanna nap with me? xxx

Keith was on his way to the door before he even finished reading her message, asking where her room was.

Pidge had put the dress away in the closet, hoping out of sight, out of mind, would help her forget she had to wear it in a few hours, having found shoes inside to match the accessories on her dresser.  She waited at the door for Keith’s knock and let him straight in, throwing her arms around his neck in a hug.

‘You’re so dumb.’  She held him close, smiling broadly.  ‘Why would you send me flowers?’

‘Because you’re worthy of flowers.’  He replied, closing his eyes and enjoying having her back in his arms again.  ‘You’re worthy of a lot more but this was all I could come up with at short notice after Shiro said there was no subtle way to change the sleeping arrangements.’

‘Well, the flowers were plenty.  And the cookies were a nice touch.’

‘I remember Allura mentioning it way back when, she didn’t understand the importance of a peacenut, as she called it, or its dryness, or why it was better in butter or cookie form.’

‘Alteans, such heathens.’  She scoffed as she finally let him go.  ‘Are you really good with us napping?  Because I’m still pretty sleepy, and I don’t want you to think I lured you here under false pretences.’

Keith pulled a face.  ‘I thought you wanted to nap.  I didn’t assume anything else, so don’t worry.’  He brushed his thumb over her cheekbone.  ‘Do you have an alarm set?’

‘Obviously.’  She took his hand and led him towards the enormous four poster with gold and cream bedding.

‘Then give me a second.’  Keith sat on one of the chairs and unlaced his boots.  Pidge was already barefoot and in shorts and an oversized t-shirt, and he did a double take as he noticed.  ‘Is that my shirt?’

‘You put me to bed in it and I went back to my room wearing it.  What do you think?  Suits me, right?’  She gave a small twirl.

‘I mean, yeah.  It does look better on you.  Looks better on the floor, but still, you wear it well.’

‘We’re napping.’  She reminded him.  ‘You gotta let me recoup some energy some time.’

‘I thought you were sleepy because of the boring speech?’

‘That too, but what did you want?  Me to admit on a public stage you railed me to exhaustion?’

He laughed and got to his feet.  ‘I am going to make you nap so hard.’  He rushed her and before she could react he picked her up and threw her on the bed, making her laugh loudly.  He snuggled up to her playfully, pulling her against him so they lay face to face.  ‘Hey.’

‘Hey yourself.’  She replied, giving him a short kiss.  ‘Seriously though.  The flowers and cookies, and coming down here to nap with me.  Just, thanks.  I really am so grateful.  I’ve never had anyone do anything like that for me before.  And I’m glad it’s you.’

‘Me too.’  He nudged her nose with his own.  ‘I do have one question for you though.’

‘Anything, name it, if I can grant it, I will.’

‘Just watch who you give that offer to.’

‘Only you, paladin’s honour.’  She crossed her heart before placing her hand on his waist.  ‘So, shoot.’

‘Would you do me the honour of letting me escort you to tonight’s ball?’

‘I thought you were anyway!’  She slapped him playfully.  ‘But of course you can.  If I can escort you too, because, you know, we’re equals.’

‘Sounds perfect.’  He kissed her forehead lingeringly before drawing back.  ‘Now, sleep.’

‘Yes, Captain.’  She snuggled into him and closed her eyes.

Keith closed his own eyes and listened to her soft breathing, her hair pressed against his cheek.

‘Keith?’

‘Mmm?’  He replied, half heartedly.

‘I love you.’

He stopped breathing for a second, holding it as he processed that she had offered him the words voluntarily.  ‘I love you too, Katie.’  He said in a hushed tone, her words drawing him into a warm, comfortable sleep.

Notes:

Next!!! Allura and Liliana bring the party to a very reluctant Pidge!

Chapter 88: Pidge's Personal Pampering Party

Summary:

Allura and Liliana gang up on Pidge in the nicest way possible

Notes:

Tired, sore, that's about it! Let's carry on! I also just wrote an amazing sentence in chapter 114 from Pidge and it is just amazing! Teaser ahead!

It was Pidge’s turn to laugh. ‘It’s a saying here. It means…we’re all fallible. When it comes down to it, we’re all flesh and blood, just flying through space on this giant rock in fragile skin suits with some serious design flaws.'

I snort laughed when I wrote that!

The mirror didn’t lie, but a large part of Pidge’s brain was screaming that she looked stupid, this wasn’t her, everyone would point and laugh and her career would be ruined by one stupid dress.

‘You look lovely, stop giving yourself that look.’  Allura insisted as she put away the makeup she had helped Pidge with.

‘Can you see what I see?’  She glanced back to find Allura coming towards her with a soft smile.  ‘Because I see me in some kind of bizarre filter that makes me look the least like me I have ever seen!’

Liliana, who had had the idea to recruit the only other girl in Voltron to join her, watched the two of them.  Allura, who was so tall, confident, and statuesque, absolutely stunning in her formal pink and lilac gown of Altean design, with a gold diadem and matching accessories, was almost the opposite of Pidge, who even now looked like she would rather shrink down into the organza skirts of her dress and dig a hole through to the next floor and escape.

‘I had a feeling you might come to this conclusion.’  Liliana smiled encouragingly.  ‘Which is why I asked Allura to join me in a little Pidge confidence building session.’

‘I’m confident.’  She argued.  ‘I’m just not a dress girl any more.’

‘Objection, you wore a dress in Cuba and looked beautiful.’

Pidge shot her a look.  ‘Okay, fine, the right dress.  But this is a gown.’  She said pointedly as though the difference were so great she couldn’t fathom it.

‘It was made for you.’  Allura said just as pointedly.  ‘It represents you, your lion, and Voltron as a whole.  It may be a little out of your comfort zone but it is for one night.  Just one.  And you can keep your wrist computer on too.  I was very specific about that when they asked for my input.’

Pidge went to rub her hand over her face out of frustration but Allura caught it, stopping her from ruining her makeup.  ‘What if I fall off my heels?  What if I trip on the material?’

‘You won’t, because you are Pidge, Katie Holt, you are an incredible young woman with more intelligence and genius than anyone else in that room tonight, and you will make sure they know that whether or not you are wearing a dress you could outthink, outsmart, and outdo any of the stuck up politicians in that room in seconds.  If you don’t believe in the dress, believe in yourself, because what is on the outside, what you are wearing, counts for nothing, when inside you are one of, if not the, brightest mind, in generations.  Own this look, Pidge, it changes nothing, other than showing the entire cosmos that you are capable of showing everyone you are smart and beautiful.’

‘She’s right.’  Liliana added before Pidge could argue.

‘Say I go through with this..’  She said rhetorically, knowing she would anyway but not liking it all the same.  ‘I know for a fact people are going to underestimate me.  How far can I go to prove them wrong?’

Allura rested her hands on her shoulders and looked at her in their reflection.  ‘As far as you need to, as long as you don’t cause any harm.’

‘I can probably handle that.’  She said somewhat reluctantly.

‘Good.’  Allura patted her shoulders.  ‘Now, we need to change that necklace for the one provided…’

‘Whoa, no!’  Pidge’s hand flew to her throat protectively.  ‘Keith gave me this, I’m not taking it off.’

‘Keith did?’  This was the first Allura had heard of it.

‘Yeah, he gave it to me in Cuba.’  She looked down at the intertwined paw prints she held between her fingers.  ‘I don’t want him to think I don’t appreciate it.  And…I really like it.’

Allura smiled softly.  ‘Then leave it.  I had no idea it was so special or I wouldn’t have suggested it.’  She turned back to Liliana and gave an impressed look at the progress her colleagues had made.  Seems she had missed an awful lot between them in the last week.

‘Why don’t you practice walking in your shoes?’  Liliana suggested.

Pidge turned away from the mirror.  ‘If I fall down do I get to wear my sneakers?’

‘No.’  They both replied as one.

‘Dammit.’  She muttered, but started walking across the room anyway.

‘I specifically chose wedge heels without too much height for you, because they are simply easier to walk in.’

‘These aren’t wedges, they’re platforms.’  Pidge pointed out that the sole was at least half an inch thick with another inch at the heel added on.

‘Either way, they help with your posture.’

‘And my lack of height.’

Allura rolled her eyes and joined Pidge again.  ‘Shoulders back.  Trust me, with heels it is easier for your balance.  I learnt the same lesson myself.’

‘Yeah, ten thousand years ago.’

‘I was in stasis for most of that so it still feels very fresh.’  Allura pointed out.  ‘I do have one last thing for you.’  She reached into one of the pockets of her dress and produced a pair of small hair clips.  ‘These are one of the few things that survived the castleship’s destruction, that I made sure I took with me.  I wore these before I came of age on Altea, and while you are past that age yourself, it is a symbol of Altean respect, that you are someone the royal family has deemed worthy to represent us.  I want you to have them.’

Pidge looked down at the two gold clips, accented with bright green/blue stones that glowed in the light.  The design was leaf-like, the stones like buds of a flower, waiting to emerge to their fullest form.  ‘I can’t take these, Allura.’  She said quietly.  ‘They’re a historical artefact, they belong to you, to your people, and…’

‘Can you think of anyone more worthy of them than you?’  Allura interrupted her, taking her hand and pressing the clips into them, holding it closed..  ‘You represent Altea’s values through your lion and your actions as a paladin.  You embody so many of the qualities we hold, held, so high.  Without you we would have failed in our fight against Zarkon and his empire years ago.  No.  I will not take these back, they belong with you.  And while we are not related, and perhaps aren’t as close as we could be, I have always thought of you as a little sister, or at least a cousin who I see at family gatherings and have fun with when circumstances allow, at the very least.’

Pidge laughed at her last description.  It was true, they weren’t as close as perhaps she was with Hunk or Keith, even Lance, but they were a sort of family, they would have one another’s backs through thick and thin, and this obviously meant a lot to Allura.  ‘Will you put them in for me?’

‘Thank you.’  Allura pulled her into a brief hug before taking her hands and pulling her to sit.  ‘These will suit your colouring beautifully, and both match and contrast with your hair, like they are woven together by nature.’

‘So long as they don’t pull my hair, I don’t care.’  Pidge admitted, but was surprised by how light they were, how they didn’t make her feel conscious of them.  ‘They feel good.  Secure.’  She specified.

‘They look wonderful.’  Liliana encouraged her, feeling she had been blessed to witnessed a true moment of the bond that held Voltron together.

‘Can I see?’

Allura stepped back to let Pidge go back to the mirror, but not without a word of warning.  ‘You may, but you will not critique your ensemble any more, instead you will look at yourself and know you will turn heads, wonder how stunned Keith will react when he sees just how gorgeous you are.’

‘I mean, his is the only head I want to turn.’  She brushed down the front of her skirts before turning to face them.  ‘Thank you both for this.  I don’t know what I would have turned out like if I’d been left to my own devices.’

‘You still would have looked fine.’  Allura assured her.  ‘A little less polished, but no one would know the difference.  Now, though, you truly look the part.’

‘All because of you guys.’

Allura laughed.  ‘Of course, what were we meant to do?  Leave you to suffer?’  She reached down into the bag she had brought with her and pulled out a bottle.  ‘I think a little celebration is in order.’

‘What did you bring?’  Pidge asked as Liliana went to the drinks cabinet in the main part of the room and brought back three glasses.

‘It’s vermouth, apparently a sweet fortified wine, because I know how much you dislike anything bitter or tart.  And it comes with a lemonade mixer so it won’t even be strong.’

‘You’re just all compromising for me, what gives?’

‘We know you’re not used to official functions, and while you have attended them, you still hate them and find them a chore.  We just want you to try and enjoy the last hurrah on this tour.  I feel like it’s hardest for you to settle at one of these events and, just once, I want you to have fun.’

‘I’ll try my best.’

Allura plonked the lemonade on the table with a thunk as Liliana started pouring the vermouth.  ‘And now that we are all prepared for what is to come, I need a little girl talk with you.’

Pidge sunk into her chair and wrinkled her nose.  ‘Could we not?’

‘Oh, no, I’m sorry, there is no getting out of this.  I am absolutely invested in your relationship.  Start at the beginning and stop when you reach the flowers.’  She pointed to the roses.

‘I’m not getting graphic.’  Pidge warned her.

‘I don’t want graphic.’  Allura waved her hand dismissively.  ‘I want to hear the romance!  The full story of when you fell in love with one another, who acted first, the tale of that beautiful necklace representing your lions.  Start talking.’

‘What about Liliana?’  Pidge tried, looking to her envoy in desperation.  ‘She and Lance are a thing.  She could tell hers.’

Allura shook her head firmly.  ‘Do you have any idea how long the entire team has been watching both you and Keith pine over one another like two absolute fools in love and denial at the same time?  For much longer than you realise!  I need the payoff!’  She tapped the table with her finger for each word of her last sentence.

‘Jeez, my life is not your soap opera!’  Pidge laughed.

‘Oh no, your story with Keith is a multi galaxy romance set over several years, friends to lovers I believe it is called, and your arrival back at the garrison also covers there was only one bed.  Slow burn is also in there, I think is the right phrase.  Though I don’t understand the relevance of how many words it took.’

Pidge looked at her wide eyed.  ‘Have you been reading fan fiction?’

‘Just the terminology.  Apparently it is a worldwide phenomenon called troopess!’

‘It’s tropes.’  Pidge corrected.  ‘And I hadn’t even thought about putting our relationship into those terms.’

‘Well, start now.’  Allura raised her now prepared glass.  ‘To the galaxies number one love story!’

Pidge shook her head but smiled all the same.  Somehow, she had a feeling they wouldn’t get through this before they had to leave for the ball.

Notes:

Coming next! The boys are waiting for the girls to come down for the presidential ball.

Chapter 89: Antici….pation

Summary:

The Voltron men wait for the Voltron women

Notes:

Hi all! So last night I had a full FIVE HOURS OF SLEEP in one go, which I haven't had in months now! But being awake at 3am was annoying...

Got the guy here to repair the ramp on my van, again, and he's been at it nearly two hours. Guess there's a big problem with it!!! I just want the damn thing to work and not get me stuck in it on holiday!!! I knew it was a mistake to name it The Black Pearl! (the colour I chose was black pearl, I mean, what was I meant to do? Not pirate it?!)

Keith, Lance, Hunk, and Shiro were all sitting in the lobby of Blair House, and the latter two couldn’t help but notice the other two seemed nervous.  They shared a look, Hunk nodding towards Lance’s leg that was bouncing up and down, followed by Shiro indicating towards Keith with his eyes where his hands were clenched before him so tightly his knuckles were white.  He shrugged then decided to try and break the ice.

‘I think whoever they got to make the suits got your colours exactly right.’  They all looked at him.  Lance and Hunk’s tuxedos were echoes of Keith’s, but matching their original lions.  Shiro’s, however, wore white where the others were coloured.

‘It’s not hard to duplicate primary and secondary colours, especially with as much media coverage as we’ve had to reference.’  Keith stated the obvious.

‘All the same, they did a good job, and the Voltron “v” on the pocket is a nice touch.’

‘Do you think Allura and Pidge have that somewhere too?’  Hunk asked curiously.

‘I don’t know how they would incorporate it into the dresses, but Allura stands out without it.  She’s her own representation when it comes to Altea and Voltron.’  Shiro shrugged.

‘Everybody can stand down, the life of the part has arrived.’  Matt came down the stairs in his standard coloured tux, adjusting the cuffs like some sort of movie hero, until he reached the bottom step and took in the mood.  ‘Wow, who died?’

‘Just a case of nerves.’  Shiro shook his head.

‘Two of them.’  Hunk nodded towards the two men in question.

‘What?’

‘I’m not nervous.’  Keith and Lance said at the same time, the former straitening his back.

‘The two of you have been sitting there twitching and staring into space since you got down here.  I’d say the nerves of a presidential ball were getting to you if you weren’t waiting for your dates.’  Shiro pointed out.  ‘And don’t even deny it.  I don’t understand why you’re both so anxious.  Lance, you are dating Miss Cooper, and unless there is something you aren’t telling us, you have nothing to worry about.  And Keith?  What exactly are you worrying so much about?’

Keith frowned, his expression thoughtful, and eventually he folded his arms and confessed.  ‘I don’t  know.’

That seemed to take everyone by surprise.  Matt took the space beside Shiro on the couch and they all just looked at Keith expectantly.  ‘What do you mean, you don’t know?’

‘I mean just that.’  Keith threw his hands up in exasperation.  ‘I even asked Pidge if I could escort her and she said yes, so I know everything is fine!  This just feels different, somehow.’

‘Maybe because we’re on home turf?  The same as the garrison, I mean?’  Hunk suggested.

‘And it’s a pretty public event.  It’ll be the first time you’ve officially made an appearance as a couple.’  Shiro pointed out.  ‘It’s a pretty big deal.’

‘Everyone already thought they were together when we returned to Earth, though.’  Hunk pointed out.

‘But they weren’t officially together.’  Shiro turned back to Keith.  ‘Is that it?’

Keith tightened his ponytail, more for something to do than because it needed it.  ‘Yeah, maybe, I don’t know.  Tonight just feels more formal.  Like I could screw things up on a bigger scale.’

‘I don’t think that’s likely.’

‘Yeah,’ Hunk added, ‘and if anyone is likely to screw things up, it’s usually lance.’

‘Hey!’  Lance snapped defensively.  ‘I’ve done real good through this whole tour, thank you very much!’

‘Then you’re due.’

‘Who’s due what?’

They turned back to the stairs to see not only Sam coming down them in his tux, but joined by Colleen.  Matt knew she was here as Sam told him as much, but it wasn’t finalised if she would be able to make it until she finally reached the airport that afternoon.  She was wearing a simple A line dress with lace covering the top in a muted teal colour.  They all got to their feet but it was Matt who met her at the bottom, kissing her cheek.

‘You look great, Mom.’

‘Well rehearsed, Matthew.’  She patted his cheek softly.  ‘But thank you.  Are we just waiting on the girls?’  She looked around.

‘They’re on their way now.’  Lance looked up from his phone screen where he had just received a message from Liliana.

‘All together?’  Keith asked as Shiro hugged Colleen next.

‘Apparently so.  Didn’t you get one of these earlier?’  He showed Keith the picture of three hands holding wine glasses that Liliana had sent him while getting ready.

‘I…did not.’  He replied as he easily picked out Pidge’s hand amongst them.  ‘You don’t think that’s…strong, do you?’

‘Maybe a little liquid bravado just to help the nerves.  Perhaps we should have done the same.’  Lance smirked at him but came back to Keith with his serious expression.  ‘I’m sure they’re not going to stumble down the stairs a trio of giggling messes.’  He tried to assure him.

‘I’m sure it’ll be fine.’  Keith sighed heavily.

‘Good evening, gentlemen.’  They all turned at Allura’s voice preceding her.  She looked resplendent in her Altean finery, escorted by Coran, himself in Altean formal wear.  The lilac and pink of her dress shimmered in the lights, the neckline of it creating the familiar stylised “v”.  ‘I hope we didn’t keep you waiting.’

‘Does that mean that Liliana and Pidge are on their way too?  Because their escorts are getting antsy.’  Hunk stated.

‘They will be right with us.’

‘Maybe I should go escort Pidge down.’  Keith started towards the stairs but Allura shot him a look.

‘Stay!’

Keith held up his hands in surrender and stepped back beside Lance.

‘I personally think they both look splendid, but I’ll let you all be the judge of that.’  She looked back up the stairs to where Pidge and Liliana were just rounding the balustrade.

‘Whoa.’  Lance’s jaw dropped open at the sight of Liliana, all dressed up to the nines.  Her fit and flare dress hugged her waist and floated to the floor in a deep blue wave, the bust shimmering with iridescent stones as she walked.  Her hair was caught up in a simple style that Lance had never seen her wear before, and she looked so mature and elegant that it took his breath away.

Beside her, Pidge swallowed hard, holding on to the handrail in case she tripped on her shoes, but she need not have worried, as even now Keith was moving to intercept her, his expression one of wonder.

The green was paler than she usually wore, but it did nothing to detract from her beauty.  The v-shaped neckline was edge with a ruffle of green tulle that was echoed in a ripple of material from her hip diagonally down to her opposite ankle.  A narrow strap graced each shoulder, with short sleeves further down her arm.  The bodice was fitted to her slender frame, the skirt falling away in layer upon layer of the tulle material, the top most layer embroidered with stars and the Voltron V they all bore.  When she walked, the ruffle gave a small flash of her leg, revealing her green wedge shoes that matched perfectly.  The slides in her hair caught the light, her makeup shimmering to match with metallic hues on her eyelids and cheeks.  She felt as little like herself as she ever had, but all Keith saw was the woman he loved.

‘You look…so…’  He murmured just for her, stopping two steps down so they were almost the same height.

‘I think the word you want it stup…’

‘Beautiful!’  Allura inserted quickly.  ‘We have had this conversation, Katie Holt.’

‘Oh, very good.’  Colleen patted her shoulder.

‘Mom?’  Pidge leant around Keith, realising she was there, while Keith still stumbled over the right word.

‘Beautiful, yeah, but more than that.’  His hand came up to caress her cheek but Allura was there, taking both their hands and pulling them down the steps, a little too fast for Pidge’s liking, feeling like she was walking on tin cans like she and Matt had as kids.

‘Do not mess up her makeup before we even get there.’

‘You look great.’  Lance managed as Liliana reached him and she blushed shyly.

‘Thank you, you too.’

‘Let’s be on our way, shall we?’  Sam suggested.  ‘Chen has already gone ahead to make sure our cars are ready.’

‘Feels weird taking cars across a street.’  Hunk remarked as they began to file past Colleen hugging first Pidge and then Keith.

‘You don’t want the whole of Voltron to get caught jaywalking, do you?’  Shiro asked.  ‘Besides, I don’t think we could just all walk up to the White House gates.  We need to make an impression.’

‘We will definitely do that.’  Keith said as he took Pidge’s hand in his, amazed by what a difference the right shoes could make to how close her lips were to his.  She flushed under the highlights of her cheeks but let him lead her towards the door, Sam and Colleen hanging back.

‘They really do grow up fast.’  Sam sighed melancholily.

‘Especially when you’re not there to see it.’  Colleen replied.

Notes:

coming later! Entry into the ball!

Chapter 90: Coran, Coran, The Perfectionist Man

Summary:

The presidential ball begins

Notes:

Just a flyby chapter before I go to bed! Sleep will be a while away but I'm just going to sit and read for a while!

‘Perfect, perfect.’  Coran went down the line of each of the Paladins as they prepared to be announced into the ball.  He straightened collars that weren’t out of place, dusted imaginary lint from dresses, until he reached Allura, who he deemed perfect.  ‘Now, remember, you have to wait until the last person reaches the bottom of the stairs before you step forward.  No rushing down the stairs, and definitely no sliding down the bannister.’  He looked pointedly at Pidge who he had caught doing just that whenever the opportunity presented itself.

‘In this dress?’  Pidge retorted, Keith squeezing on her hand as he fought back a laugh.

‘No, no, no.  Look to your elders!’  He gripped Keith’s cheeks between his thumb and forefinger, directing his gaze ahead, towards Sam and Colleen.  ‘Do you see that?’

‘Fee wha?’  Keith asked as he used his free hand to try and pry Coran’s hand away.

‘Arm.  In.  Arm.  None of this lovey dovey hand holding.’

‘Oh for quiznaks sake.’  Pidge muttered, rolling her eyes, but taking her hand from Keith’s and wrapped it around his bicep.  ‘Better?’

‘Not quite.’  He adjusted her hold so her hand rested on Keith’s forearm.

‘Now then.’  Coran turned around and Lance quickly grabbed Liliana’s hand and mimicked Keith and Pidge’s pose, so as not to have them rearranged too.  ‘That’s better.  I’m going to go stand up front and make sure you all go in at the right time and I’ll bring up the rear behind Matt and Envoy Chen.  Everybody understand.’

‘Coran, we all understand perfectly.  You don’t need to coordinate us.’  Allura said firmly.

‘All the same, I would feel better if I did.’  Coran walked to the front without another word.

Allura blew a breath up, moving her hair.  ‘Goodness, he does fuss sometimes.’

‘Can you blame him?’  Shiro said from behind her.  ‘He’s been watching over you for so long and he’s sort of adopted all of us by proxy.’

‘Quiet in the back!’  Coran hissed, making them all laugh under their breath.

Soon, Colleen and Sam were announced, followed by Allura, then Shiro.  As Pidge and Keith stepped to the front he rested his hand on top of the one she had on his arm.

‘You ready for this?’

She turned to find him giving her an encouraging smile.  ‘As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.’  She shrugged, aware of Coran standing very close to her left.  ‘Just…don’t let me fall down the stairs, okay?’

‘I would never let you fall.’

Part of her melted at his sweet words, and she almost missed their names being announced.

‘Paladins Kogane and Holt.’

She hadn’t realised the herald’s voice was quite so loud until she was right there, her ear ringing as Keith took his first step, leaving her to stumble a step to catch up.  He noticed immediately and held back an extra second to make sure she was level with him again before they approached the stairs.  He felt her hand tighten on his arm as they took the first one, relying on him in her unfamiliar shoes, and he wished he could hold her properly and ensure her she had nothing to worry about.  The best he could do, however, was to be a stable presence as they went forward.  ‘I got you.’  He murmured, his hand still on hers, his fingers rubbing her knuckles gently.

Pidge swallowed hard, concentrating on the steps she had left to take, and it was only moments later she reached the bottom, letting out a sigh as they joined the greeting line behind Shiro.  She barely even acknowledged the announcement for Lance and Liliana, her relief was so great.  They moved down the line of dignitaries shaking hands and greeting them, and once they reached the end Pidge could finally think straight again.

‘This is really our last event, right?  We’re all done after tonight?’  She clarified as they reached their small, still expanding, group, where a member of staff was passing out champagne.

‘Not enjoying yourself, Katie?’  Colleen asked.  ‘Because you could never tell after your last video call.’

‘Cuba was okay.’  She exaggerated the last word.  ‘It was a world away from…this.’  She indicated around at the grandeur of the golden ballroom, with extravagant dresses everywhere you looked, expensive decor, and a string quartet playing in one corner.  At least there were large double doors open onto the gardens and patio, which even now were inviting her into their peaceful embrace.

‘It’s the last one.’  Sam assured her, his arm around his wife.  ‘And I know you’ve been through a lot this last week.  I’m proud of how you’ve handled it all though.’

‘We all are.’  Shiro added.  ‘Considering you were all unsupervised, you did very well.’

‘Unsupervised?’  Keith laughed.  ‘You realise I’m nearly the same age you were when we became Voltron, right?’

Shiro shook his head.  ‘I forget.’

‘Easy to do, with the quantum abyss thing.’  Keith forgave him.

‘And you still have the occasional hot headed moment you did back then.  Less, but you still have them, given the right provocation.’

Colleen narrowed her eyes as Lance and Liliana approached.  ‘What did I miss?’

‘I’ll tell you later.’  Sam assured her.  ‘I can see a gaggle of dignitaries heading this way and we do not want to be caught up with them.’  He saluted them all with his champagne and whisked Colleen away.

‘Coward.’  Shiro called after him, unable to stop the laugh that rolled up his throat.  ‘Well, once everyone joins the party, go and mingle.  Enjoy yourselves.’

‘Do you even know me?’  Pidge shifted from foot to foot.

‘I know you’ll do your best to get through this evening intact.  Just remember, no one here is out for blood, just maybe a little brush with the famous paladins of Voltron.  But I suggest you scatter before we all get cornered by the same group.’  He turned and smiled at the group of well dressed women who were rounding on them, and Allura and the two couples shared a look before going in separate directions as rapidly as they were able without drawing attention to themselves.

‘We need drinks.’  Lance gave Liliana a smile as he spied a waiter heading their way.  ‘Even if it’s just something to keep our hands occupied.’

‘That works for me.’  Liliana agreed.  ‘I can’t actually believe we’re in the White House.’

Lance laughed as he retrieved them both a flute of bubbling alcohol before offering her his arm again.  ‘You were in a royal residence earlier this week, but the White House is what has you amazed?’

‘Old buildings in England are a dime a dozen.  I had even visited that particular royal residence on a school trip.  The White House though, it has been so hyped up by Hollywood it’s almost like a movie set.’

‘I suppose it is kinda special.  It’s no castleship though.’

‘What was that like?  You’ve never really talked about it.’

‘Oh, wow, where to start?  It was the most technologically beautiful place.  It was all white, with blue lights, Altean accents.  The upside down pool was a bit weird, but the training room, I’d never seen anything like it.  It had everything you could imagine and more.’

‘What was the food like in space?’

Lance laughed, glancing at the finger buffet filling on extremely long wall, knowing Hunk would about melt when he saw it.  ‘At first, awful.  All we were offered was food goo, which is as appetising as it sounds.  Pretty soon though, our own culinary genius started experimenting with whatever ingredients he found locally, and pretty soon we had a great range of options.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Hunk started a food truck eventually.’

‘He could become the first intergalactic Michelin starred chef, bringing a true taste of alien cuisine to the Milky Way.’  Liliana suggested.

‘We should mention it to him.’  Lance waved a glance to where Hunk was looking around the room having finished with the greeting line, his eyes drifting straight to the buffet, as Lance had predicted.  ‘Let’s go talk to him, you need to get to know him.  He’s one of my best friends, you know.’

Lance led her through the crowds, smiling and nodding at the many people who greeted him on the way, before intercepting Hunk as he picked up a plate.

‘Oh, hey, Lance, Miss Cooper.  Did you see this spread?  I want to take photos and memorise it, but I don’t want to look like a tourist.’  He leant towards them conspiratorially.

‘I’ll stand in front of the phone in your hand if you want to.’  Lance told him.  ‘Actually we’re here because Liliana had a suggestion about your future.’

‘My future?’  Hunk paused with a serving spoon in his hand.  ‘You don’t think I have a career with the garrison or Voltron?’

‘Not at all, I think you’ll succeed in anything you put your mind to, thank you for giving me such a glowing first impression, Lance.’  Liliana gave Lance a playful glare.  ‘He was talking about your love of all things culinary and I suggested you could bring the taste of all the planets you have visited to Earth.  Perhaps even be the first Michelin starred intergalactic chef.’

‘Oh wow, now that’s a dream.’  Hunk’s eyes glossed over.  ‘I mean, Earth food is amazing, but some of the spices and produce I’ve encountered the last few years have been, literally, out of this world.’

‘I’d love to hear about it some time.’  Liliana smiled, genuinely intrigued by his obvious love of food.

‘Oh, he’ll take you up on that.  He can talk for hours on the subject of food.’

‘Like you can talk for hours about yourself.’  Hunk added, finally going back to filling his plate.

‘Don’t make me out to be some vanity driven…’  He caught Liliana giving him raised eyebrows in challenge.  ‘Yeah, okay, I can.’  He admitted.

‘If you weren’t so interesting you wouldn’t have so much to share.’  Liliana nudged him with her hip.

‘Hey, yeah, you’re right.’  He raised his chin proudly.  Hunk gave him a steady look, not moving from his face for several moments, leading him to ask; ‘What?’

‘You keep this one around.  If she doesn’t mind your nonsense, you got lucky.’

‘Yeah, I did.’  Lance kissed Liliana’s cheek, making her blush.

‘Lance, we’re in public.’  She ducked her head shyly.

‘Yeah, and I’d do it again, and again, and again.’  He kissed her for each again he said.

‘Okay, now you’re being gross.’  Hunk went back to his plate.  ‘How many of these finger sandwiches do you think constitutes a whole sandwich?’

‘Between six and eight.  Depending on the size of the loaf they used.’  They all turned to find Pidge behind them, strangely on her own.

‘Did you dump mullet already?’  Lance glanced around.

‘I lost him!’  She said in utter exasperation.  ‘We were still arm in arm, he turned one way when someone asked him a question, I turned the other for the same reason, and now he’s nowhere!’

Hunk looked down at her knowingly.  ‘Do you wanna…?’

‘Please?’

‘Go on.’  Hunk bent his knee and Pidge instantly stepped up onto it, pushing herself up on his shoulder to see as far as she could, finally spotting the red of Keith’s jacket across the room.  The second her head was above the crowd he noticed her, he had been looking for her too, and she signalled to him to meet her on the patio then climbed back down Hunk.

‘Awesome, thank you.’  She fist bumped Hunk and turned to the table, grabbing a napkin and unfolding it before loading it with a few treats.

‘Any time, but you might want to get out of here, Coran saw that and he’s on his way over here, I bet with a lesson in etiquette all ready for you.’  Hunk nodded into the crowd where Coran was indeed coming in their direction, looking horrified.

‘Oh shit!’  She bundled the cloth napkin closed and bent her knees, making herself an even smaller target.  ‘I’m out.’

‘We’ll keep Coran busy.’  Lance called after her and she gave a small wave of gratitude as she skipped to the far end of the buffet table and out the furthest doors to the patio.

‘Where is Pidge?’  Coran demanded as he reached them.

‘Pidge?  Haven’t seen her.’  Lance shrugged.

‘Of course you have!  About this high, looks like a boy and a girl at the same time, wearing a long green frock and, for some reason, Allura’s hair slides, which belong in the royal family, if you ask me.  Last seen climbing Hunk like a tree?  Nothing?’  He looked between them desperately.

‘Didn’t notice.’  Lance shook his head, while Hunk shoved a large quantity of sandwiches into his mouth so he couldn’t talk.

‘She was standing on top of Hunk like a little Olkari tree crawler!’

‘When?’  He gave Coran a look of utter confusion and Liliana pressed her lips together to prevent herself from laughing.  ‘You mean tonight?’

‘Of course, tonight, just a tick ago!  She was right here!’  He pointed to Hunk’s head.

‘I think we’d have noticed if Pidge was standing on Hunk’s head.’

‘Not on his head, on his…uh…’  Coran looked around, scratching his head.  ‘Maybe I was mistaken.’

‘Maybe.’  Lance wrapped an arm around his shoulders and steered him away from the buffet table.  ‘You’ve been working so hard with this tour, Coran, why don’t you take five minutes to enjoy yourself, here, have a drink, and go relax.’  He handed him his still full champagne flute and nudged Coran forward.

‘I suppose I have been under a lot of pressure.’  Coran said hesitantly.  ‘And the princess is being watched over by Shiro, so I could take a small break.’

‘That’s the spirit!  Go, have fun!’  Lance pushed him ahead of him as he stepped back.  ‘We’ll tell Pidge you were looking for her, if we see her.

‘Right, okay then.’  Coran wandered off into the crowd and Hunk was finally able to swallow.

‘I can’t believe he bought that.’

‘Of course he did, I have a gift.’  Lance winked at Liliana as she finally laughed.

‘Do you think he’ll realise he’s been duped?’  She asked.

‘Maybe, maybe not.  It depends on if something else distracts him.’

‘And how likely is that?’

‘Knowing Coran?’  He grinned at her.  ‘Very.’

Notes:

Next up! Snacks and a mix up

Chapter 91: Princess Gremlin

Summary:

Keith and Pidge grab a quiet moment.

Notes:

I hate this heatttt! I hate we don't have aircon, I hate my body runs hot and struggles to regulate its temperature! I hate my high heart rate and swollen ankles, I hate blacking out when I get up to transfer to my wheelchair! UUGGHHHHHHH

end of rant

Pidge had found a dark corner to lurk in, hoping Coran wouldn’t find her before Keith did.  Thankfully, she was in luck, and Keith appeared two doors further down, glancing around to try and find her.

‘Psst!’  She called to him.  ‘Over here!’

He spotted her against the wall beside a shrub and headed straight towards her, smiling.  Even just the sight of her made his heart speed up with sheer joy.  ‘I wondered where you got to.’

‘Me?  You’re the one who wandered off with that cougar.’  She moved out from behind the shrub and unfolded the napkin.  ‘I got us a snack.’

‘Nice.’  He glanced over her offering.  She had two small prettily decorated cakes in their colours, and some savoury bites.  He took one of the latter and tried it, a delicate, bite sized pastry case with some sort of whipped savoury swirl inside.  ‘I guess the buffet table is where you climbed on Hunk?’

‘What else was I supposed to do in a room full of virtual redwoods?  Nuh uh.’  She pulled a face as the canapé the had bitten in half and didn’t like.  ‘Oh, this is nasty.’  She bundled the napkin into Keith’s hand and, after a quick look around, spat it in the base of the shrub.  ‘Cake.  Need rid of the taste.’  He held one up for her immediately and let her take a bite.  ‘So much better.’  She rolled the sweetness around her mouth.

Keith watched the cute expressions cross her face, from disgusted to relieved, and he couldn’t help himself.  He put the napkin on the table behind him, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her deeply.  She gave a small surprised murmur as his tongue swept into her mouth, distracting her from any lingering unpleasantness.  She stepped closer, grasping his lapels in her hands, trying to get closer as his actions drove her to some delicious insanity.  Keith had only meant to divert her attention away from the unpleasant flavour experience, but soon found he was reluctant to stop, so content and yet not by her in his arms, all he could think of was whisking her away somewhere private to see how far his control went.  But he resisted, proving he had better control than he thought, and ended the kiss, resting his forehead against hers as he tried to catch his breath.  ‘That’s…uh…some good cake.’

‘Not the sweetest thing I hope to eat tonight.’  She pulled his lips back to hers, surprising him, as one of her hands stroked the back of his neck with her fingertips and, coupled with her words, flat out did it for him.  He stepped forward until her back was pressed against the wall, one of his hands sliding down her body until he reached her thigh, their bodies fitting together more naturally with her heels.  He couldn’t have cared less about their location at that point, as she raised her leg to hook around his, making the moment more intimate…until her shoe fell off.

They broke apart with a gasp, looking at one another intensely as everything, their location, just what they were doing, came flooding back to them.

‘Stupid Cinderella moment.  Pidge muttered and Keith laughed, letting her lower her thigh as he hugged her close.

‘I think we needed it to snap us out of it.’

‘It’s not my fault you’re so damned kissable.’  She wiped at the edge of her lips.

‘I’ve got this.’  He went to one knee and helped her back into her shoe.  ‘And I might not be Prince Charming, but I don’t mind sweeping you off your feet.’

‘You are my Prince Charming, dumbass.’  She laughed, offering him her hand up.  ‘Though you got the gremlin, not the princess.’

‘Maybe the gremlin is a princess.’  He took her hand.  ‘Princess Gremlin and the not so charming prince.’

She grinned broadly, opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a sudden click and a flash, followed by a gasp.

‘I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt such an important moment!’

They both turned to see the press secretary they had met in the greeting line with their official photographer, frozen like deer in headlights.

‘Uh…we…’  Keith got to his feet, turning and putting Pidge behind him protectively.  ‘We’re…’

‘What amazing timing, that we caught it on camera!  And such good publicity!  Come through when you’re ready, the president will be proud to help you celebrate!’  And they hurried off, Pidge peeking around Keith in confusion.

‘What just happened?’  She asked quietly.

Keith sighed.  ‘They think I just proposed.’

Notes:

coming up! Keith does not approve of Pidge's methods.

Current numbers: 115 chapters, 172k words! (571 pages of 12pt times new roman, if you're interested!)

Chapter 92: Stop That Camera!

Summary:

The couple race to stop fake news being spread!

Notes:

Jeeeeez everyone I just wrote chapter 117, and 116 reveals a big plot twist! DUN DUN DUUUUNNNNNNN!!!!! and I am so hyped and excited to share it! I assume it will be some time while I'm on holiday, if my wifi holds up! I have a portable wifi dongle but it can be a bit temperamental when at this location so just wish me luck and forgive me if I can't post for a week!!! I will really try!!

Pidge and Keith raced into the ballroom, hoping to stop the press secretary from reaching the president.

‘If you spot him, I can grab him with my bayard.  Sure, it’ll be dramatic but it’ll stop him.’  Pidge commented, her fingers itching to call it up to save them both another run in with the press about their personal life.

‘That would just draw more attention, we’ll be better off just finding the president and letting her know it’s a misunderstanding.’

‘Alright.  I go left, you go right?’  She suggested.

‘Let’s go.’

Before they could set off they heard a loud clinking on a glass and the room fell silent, the press secretary with the president off to their right, the former grinning ear to ear.

‘Oh quiznak.’  Keith muttered before starting to force his way through the crowd, hoping he would get there on time.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, it would appear we have something else to celebrate with the paladins tonight!’

‘Not if I can help it.’  Pidge grumbled, tapping away quickly on her wrist computer.

The press secretary continued.  ‘Two of the paladins have tonight…’

‘Three, two, one…’

The entire room was plunged into darkness as Pidge cut the power, breathing a sigh of relief.  She called her bayard left handed and, using it as a light, headed through the crowd towards the president while typing on her wrist.  ‘Let me see if I can figure out what the problem is, Madam President.’  She brushed past the photographer, most definitely accidentally and not on purpose whatsoever zapping his camera with her bayard as she went.  ‘Oh, excuse me.’  She smiled sweetly as she reached the president and, moments later, the lights flickered back on.  There were nervous laughs and conversation resumed.  ‘Just seemed to be a blip in the electrical grid.’  She continued, covering her tracks.

‘Thank goodness you were here.’  The president smiled warmly as Keith finally reached them.

‘Always a pleasure to be of service.’

‘And speaking of.’  The president turned to see a member of the secret service coming towards them at a high rate of speed, not quite running, but urgent enough.  ‘Is there a problem?’

The agent leant towards the president for privacy’s sake but both Pidge and Keith heard easily enough. ‘We may have a security breach, ma’am.’

‘Explain.’

‘The power appeared to be cut from within the building for a fraction of a seconds then disappeared. There’s no guarantee the perpetrator isn’t in the White House somewhere.’

Keith shot Pidge a look but all she offered was raised eyebrows before returning to her wrist computer.

‘Let me see what I can find for you.’  Pidge rattled through various layers of code, her expression serious, until finally she smiled brightly.  Too brightly, in Keith’s opinion.  ‘It was a power surge. The reason it looked like it was internal is because you have your own power safe fails and protocols to prevent any deliberate attacks.  To someone inexperienced it could look like an internal attack.’

The secret service agent was giving Pidge a scornful look, having acted on what was supposed to be a confidential conversation.  But the president knew who she was and had at least heard of what she was capable of.  ‘I think if the tech wizard of Voltron has assured us it is safe, then we ought to just fine.  Thank you for bringing it to our attention though.’  She shook Pidge’s hand.  ‘Let’s get back to celebrating.’

‘Speaking of celebrating.’  The press secretary spoke up.  ‘I believe these two paladins have something to share.’  He beckoned the photographer closer, who tried to bring up their photos with no luck.

‘Oh no, that sucks.’  Pidge breathed, unable to keep the smile out of her voice or off her face.  ‘Still, I don’t think Keith helping me put my shoe back on is worthy of a celebration.  Later!’  And, flicking her head away from them to indicate Keith should follow, she headed off into the crowd.

Keith wasn’t fooled by her words or actions, he knew her too well, and trotted to catch up with her.  He caught her upper arm in his hand and pulled her with him out of the ballroom and into the garden once more.

‘Okay, what actually happened back there?’  He folded his arms, giving her a look so serious she actually swallowed.

‘You know what happened back there.  I had a fraction of a nanotick to make a decision and I did what needed to be done.  End of story.’

‘Not end of story!’  He hissed.  ‘You were nearly caught by the secret service!’

‘Nearly, Keith, nearly.  And that was because I was in such a rush.  I covered my tracks, don’t worry.’

Keith rubbed his hand over his face.  ‘And the photographers camera?’

‘Accidentally brushed it with my bayard while using it as a lamp.’

‘Was it such a big deal to you that they don’t think we’re engaged that you risk a national security breach?’

Pidge frowned as she realised what he might have been getting at.  ‘Wait, is that what this is about?  Because I reacted quickly to stop another rumour about us becoming public?’

‘I’m just saying it would have done no harm to have them think that than risk what you did.’

‘What risk?’  She asked louder than she meant to.  ‘You know I’m the best there is and combating another barrage of questions about our relationship status when I could prevent it is not on my priority list!’

‘Well, maybe it should be!’  He yelled back.

‘My parents are here, Keith.  I was not about to let some jumped up journalism reject ruin my night with lies!’

‘But who cares if someone thinks we’re in a committed relationship?  I thought we were!’

Pidge stepped back as though struck.  He would accuse her of not being committed to this, to them together, just because she was tired of people spreading rumours, lies, and even the truth about them?  ‘You really think that?  You think because I value my privacy I don’t value you, I don’t value us?’  She felt her throat tighten and eyes burn, and as she turned and hurried away she missed the regret in Keith’s eyes.

‘Pidge, I didn’t mean…’

But it was too late, she was already back in the ballroom, and by the time he made it to the doors, she was out of sight.

Notes:

Oh, Keith, what did you do?!

Next up! Keith searches for Pidge to apologise.

Chapter 93: A Short Walk

Summary:

Keith looks for Pidge

Notes:

Morning all! First of a few chapters going up this morning! Have been to the docs and had a good chat, discussing most of my ongoing health issues and covering a few things I have been waiting for for months, like a liver scan. two more prescriptions, more to come in the next week or so. Also started packing for our week away, laundry obviously to make sure we all have enough knickers lol, and when the girls get back from the store Boo is going to paint my toenails for me! Busy busy so taking advantage of my quiet half an hour and posting!

Keith had looked all over the public areas for Pidge, even walking back up the stairs they had entered through to get a better view, but she was just gone.  All he could think was that his words had really hurt her, how could they not have, and she had returned to the guest house.  He felt like an idiot, an entire sack of weblum crap.  He didn’t know why had said what he did, he just didn’t care about the rumour that they were committed.  He had not, until now that is, realised just how much rumour and facts about their relationship had been made more public than normal.  Pidge was private, she liked to play personal things close to her chest, and in just over a week the world had known about their relationship before it happened, the entire garrison discovered it in less than twenty-four when they did get together, and in the last day alone she had had their brand new sex life blurted out to those close to her.  It was no wonder she was defensive.  Yup.  He couldn’t even deny it.  He had quiznaked all the way up.

He didn’t even bother to ask the team if they had seen her.  If she didn’t want to be seen, she wouldn’t be.  She had to have found a way out of here and back to their accommodation.  It just wasn’t her to go and hide in a bathroom, she was more likely to go and find a poor innocent computer to take it out on, and here wasn’t the place for that.  So back to Blair House it was.

He took one of the cars that had brought them to the White House and sent it back for the others and headed straight for Pidge’s room.  He knocked softly on the door, leaning close and listening for any movement inside.

‘Pidge?  It’s me.  Can I come in?’

Silence.  He waited a little longer, listening, then tried again.

‘I want to apologise.  Please?’

Still nothing.  He couldn’t hear anything, no movement, nothing.  She really was mad, not that he blamed her.  He sighed, long and heavy.  ‘Listen, Katie, I was stupid, I know I was, and I’m so sorry.  I don’t even know if you can hear me, but I’m going to my room and I’m going to message you, just in case you can’t.  I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am.’  He pressed his forehead against the door as regret coursed through him in hot wave after hot wave.  ‘Just…I love you, okay?  I’ll speak to you soon.’

He reluctantly headed towards his own room, already typing a message for her, knowing even if she was in the bathroom and missed what he said, this would reach her.  Such a short walk had never felt so long.

Notes:

Coming up! Just a sweet Lilance chapter!

Chapter 94: A Lilance Dance

Summary:

Lance's slightly drunk flirting

‘Do you know how to dance?’  Liliana’s question surprised Lance so much he almost choked on the sip of champagne he had just taken.  The stuff was so much dryer than he was expecting but, apparently, it was a taste acquired by those who could afford it, but he didn’t see the appeal.  The more he drank, though, the more he could tolerate the taste.  Still, he wasn’t expecting her to ask that.

‘You’ve seen me dance.’  He replied, his confusion evident on his flushed face.

She laughed at how adorably dense he was being.  ‘I meant dance as in ballroom.  Here.  Tonight.’

‘Are you asking me to dance with you?’

Liliana huffed out a breath of mock frustration.  ‘Yes, I suppose I am.’

‘You should have just said!’  He swigged the rest of his glass down, much to her amusement, and pulled on her hand, leading her to where the dancing was taking place before the string quartet.  ‘I can do this.  Easy.’  He remarked, more to himself than her, and placed one hand on her waist, the other holding hers.  But he didn’t move.

‘Do you want me to lead?’  Liliana teased and Lance pulled a face that had her biting back another laugh.

‘No, I can do it, I just…don’t know the steps.’  He admitted, making her realise that he was definitely a little worse for wear.

‘Then why don’t we just…sway a little?  Go round in a circle?  It’s a classic, you can’t go wrong with the classics.’

‘I can do classic.’  He blustered, slowly beginning to shuffle his feet until they were in a rhythm together.

‘So tell me, Paladin McClain,’ she started, ‘was tonight your first taste of genuine French champagne?’

Lance looked around before leaning towards her, his voice a stage whisper.  ‘I don’t even know what makes it genuine champagne, let alone French.’

She chuckled before answering.  ‘It has to come from the Champagne region of France.  You have been drinking genuine imported French champagne all night.’

‘Oh, that’s even fancier than I thought.’

‘It’s a little dry for my taste, but it is definitely one of the better ones I’ve had.’

‘That’s exactly it!’  Lance gasped, as though he couldn’t believe she thought the same.  ‘How can something so wet, be so dry?’

‘Oh, Lance, you are adorable.’  She squeezed his hand that held hers.

‘I like to think so.’  He agreed then realised this was his opportunity to flatter her.  ‘But you, you’re beyond adorable.  You’re the most adorablest…est.  When you laugh, you get this cute little scrunch on the top of your nose, and your eyes sparkle brighter than the stars, and I’ve seen a lot of stars!  They don’t even start to compare to yours!  And…’

‘Okay, that’s enough, lover boy.’  She blushed and bowed her head, bringing it onto his chest.  ‘You’ll embarrass me.’

He bowed his head towards hers, his voice low and intimate.  ‘It’s not embarrassing if it’s the truth, surely?’

‘The fact you believe it’s true makes it even worse.’  She raised her head as she finished her sentence and found his face imperceptibly close.

‘I know it’s true.’  He whispered before closing the gap between them and moulding his lips to hers in a slow, heartfelt kiss.  ‘You’re just the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.’

Liliana’s pulse sped up at his genuine words, knowing alcohol could be a great truth serum, and while she took it with a grain of salt, it still meant the world to her.  ‘You are for me too.’  She replied.

Lance sighed in satisfaction and pulled her close, dancing for several minutes with her head on his chest, until he was tapped on the shoulder.  Turning, he saw Shiro, an apologetic smile on his face.

‘Sorry to interrupt, but have either of you seen Keith?  Or Pidge for that matter?’

‘Not for a while.’  Liliana replied while Lance gained a cheeky grin.

‘Ohhhhh they snuck off for a little fun!’  He laughed.

‘I don’t think they would do that at a presidential ball.’  Shiro shook his head but smiled all the same.  ‘But if you see them, can you tell them I’m looking for them?  There’s some higher ups from the CIA who want to ask Pidge about some technology.’

‘And you think she’ll tell them?’  Lance said in disbelief.

‘I think seeing her talking circles around what they think are experts is a show we don’t want to miss.’  Shiro explained.  ‘I’ll see if they’re outside.’

‘Just announce yourself loudly, just in case!’  Lance called after him before turning back to find Liliana looking concerned.  ‘Oh no, what’s wrong?’  He took both of her hands in his.

‘Do you think they’re okay?  That they really might be…off in their own little world, so to speak?’

‘They have enough sense not to do something so personal somewhere so public.’  He shrugged.  ‘They’ll be fine.’

Liliana accepted his invitation back into his arms and they danced long into the night.

Notes:

Coming up! Lance can't find his arm!

Chapter 95: The Missing Limb

Summary:

Lance spots something without realising what he's spotted.

Notes:

I kept forgetting Hunk has an envoy, and how many people were at the ball! I had to keep going back and adding paragraphs because people were missing lol

A few more glasses of champagne later, and the ball was winding down.  The paladins and their companions were escorted to await their cars, Coran, Allura, and Chen taking the first.  Lance stood, glancing around, the fresh night air helping blow away the cobwebs of alcohol that clouded his head, looking across the lawns to the lions…huh.  He rubbed his eyes and mentally counted.  No, that wasn’t right.  So he tried with his fingers.  That didn’t work out either.  So he tried aloud, again counting them off on his fingers.

‘One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four…leg, leg, arm, head…’  he gasped.  ‘I can’t find my left arm!’  To make his point he held it out and waved it towards the group behind him.

‘Oh man, he really is drunk.’  Hunk laughed, watching Lance continue to complain.  ‘How much did he have?’

‘A good few more than me, but he didn’t seem that impaired.’  Liliana touched his left arm gently.  ‘Lance, you arm is right here.’

‘No, not this left arm, my left arm!’  He raised each limb as he named it, nodding his head.  ‘Left leg, right leg, right arm, head…no left arm!’

‘It’s right here.’  She wiggled it for him with a soft smile on her face.

‘No, he’s right.’  Shiro stepped closer, drawing level with them.  ‘There’s only four lions.  Green’s gone.’

‘Wait, Pidge is gone?’  Matt pushed his way through them, Sam and Colleen close behind.

‘I’m calling her.’  Sam immediately drew his phone.

‘Black is still here though, and we lost both her and Keith earlier on in the evening, maybe they’re together.’  Shiro assured them this might just be innocent…so to speak.

Sam gave him a serious look.  ‘I hope you’re right.  All the same, it won’t hurt to send her a message.’

‘I agree.  And I’ll check her room when we get back to Blair House.’  Matt looked to Colleen, knowing she was still protective of Katie, especially after she lost them all in a small space of time.  ‘She won’t be too far.  And even if she is, she’s with her lion, so she’s the safest she could ever be.’

‘I’ll check Keith’s room, and if he’s not there I’ll message him.  One of them will answer eventually.’

‘Is this going to be another TMI moment?’  Lance screwed up his nose.  ‘Because I already caught them going at it in the shower.’

‘I’m sorry, you what?’  Sam’s jaw fell open.

‘Sam, whatever they’re doing, Katie is a consenting adult.’  Colleen gave him a fierce look that told him not to overreact to the news his little girl wasn’t his little girl any more.

‘But…she’s our daughter!’  Sam said exasperatedly.

‘Our daughter is a grown woman.’  Colleen pointed out.  ‘Did you think this day would never come?’

‘I didn’t think I’d have a front row seat to it being advertised, no.’  He glanced at Lance, who was still counting on his fingers.

‘Dear, I’ve spoke with Katie about this, more than once, she is prepared and knows what she is doing.  And can you think of someone better for her, someone more suitable or trustworthy than Keith?  Don’t pull that face, you look like you’re sucking a lemon.’  She patted his cheek trying to get him to loosen up the muscles he was contorting.

‘I don’t really want to think about her with anyone.  It’s not about being trustworthy.’

Colleen let out a sigh of aggravation.  ‘We’ll talk about this when we get back to our room, but remember, most women have sex.  Only a small handful get to go to space.  Our Katie has done both, and not in that order.  Work out the odds on the two.  You will see it’s not unusual as you think.’  And she pushed him towards the car, even as he blustered and stammered to try and find a reply.

‘I’ll go with Mom and Dad and double check Katie’s room.’  Matt patted Shiro on his floating arm, setting it bobbing.  ‘You wanna come with me, Hunk?’

‘Yeah sure.’  Hunk leant into Liliana before moving off.  ‘If you need any help getting him to go to bed, let me know.’

‘Thank you, I will.’  Liliana smiled gratefully, not just for the offer but his apparent acceptance of her too.  ‘Come on, Lance, we’ll take the last car.’  She guided him to the vehicle and managed to get him inside and shuffled across to allow her to get in beside him, ensuring his belt was buckled, while Shiro got in beside the driver, giving them some space.  Liliana couldn’t help but worry, though.  It didn’t seem like Pidge to just up and leave without a word to anyone, but it seemed she was with Keith so she was sure her worry was unfounded.

Notes:

Next up! Everyone is looking for Pidge!

Chapter 96: Lost and Found

Summary:

Pidge's disappearance gains traction

Notes:

hey all! I am just about packed for holiday, at least I've packed everything I can until Monday morning, so I am chill!!! Or as chill as I can be! Woooo!

Keith was laying on his bed, hopping channels on the wall mounted TV, hoping for some sort of a distraction from his brain catastrophising everything that could go wrong from his interaction with Pidge.  Okay, interaction was the wrong word.  He straight up insulted her and insinuated her feelings weren’t as strong as his.  He felt like an ass.  He pinched the bridge of his nose, running thumb and index finger over his eyes, and sighed heavily.  All his messages to her sat unread, and he was considering going and knocking on her door again, when instead came one on his.  He raced towards it, hoping it was her, but was more than a little disappointed to find Shiro giving him a puzzled look.

‘Oh, you’re here.’

‘Where else would I be?’  He stepped back to allow Shiro entry.

‘I thought you’d be with Pidge, wherever that is.’

Uncertainty gripped Keith’s chest.  ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean when we left the White House, Green was gone.  We figured you left together, but wanted to check.’

‘Obviously we didn’t.’  Keith slammed the door and grabbed his jacket from the closet, having changed into jeans and t-shirt on his return, and grabbed his boots as he spoke.  ‘We had a fight.  Or rather I said something stupid, and she walked out.  I went looking for her and didn’t come back.  I tried knocking on her door, talking to her through it, no wonder she didn’t answer.  Get a spare key to her room, see if her laptop is gone.  She won’t care about anything else.’

‘Good call.’  Shiro ran for the door, Keith not far behind him.

Both men reached Pidge’s floor to find Hunk and Matt still standing at her door.

‘She’s not with you?’  Hunk asked in surprise.

‘Long story.’  Keith walked up to the door and pushed in front of them both.

‘I’ll go get the key.  We’re going to check if her laptop is here.  She wouldn’t have left that behind.’ Shiro explained.

‘That’ll take too long.’  Keith called his bayard to his hand in its sword form and shoved it through the door where the lock would be and pushed with his shoulder, gaining entry with a splintering of wood and the start of an alarm sounding in the distance.

‘Keith!’  Shiro yelled at him for his rash action, but followed him into the room nonetheless.

‘Her laptop is gone.’  Keith looked at the table where it had been when he was here earlier in the day.

‘Is everything alright?’  Liliana’s voice came from the doorway, barefoot with concern marring her brow.

‘You haven’t heard from Pidge, have you?’  Keith walked towards her with purpose.  ‘She’s not answering my messages.’

‘I haven’t, but I can try if that would help?’

‘We should all message her, she can’t ignore all of us.’  Hunk suggested.

‘Good call.’  Keith nodded as Shiro ensured Liliana was safely away from the damaged door in her bare feet.  ‘Can you call her?  She likes you, and I’m pretty sure she won’t talk to me right now.’

‘Ohhhhhh, what did you do?’  Hunk asked as Matt narrowed his eyes at Keith.

‘What happened?’

Keith didn’t really want to tell Matt what he had done, it had been cruel and selfish, but he would admit guilt.  ‘I said something incredibly stupid that I regret, and she reacted entirely appropriately.’

‘You wanna elaborate?’

‘I want to find her!’  His yell silenced everyone, making the sound of running feet coming towards them all the louder, security arriving moments later.

‘It’s alright.’  Shiro assured the agents as they took in what they could see, one radioing back to get the alarm shut off.  ‘The garrison will pay for the damages, we’re just having a small paladin…problem.’

‘Pidge isn’t the problem.’  Matt gave Keith an angry look.

‘I meant the problem is small, I wasn’t referring to Pidge.’  Shiro stepped between them.  ‘We’ll find her, Matt.’

‘We shouldn’t have to be finding her to begin with.’

‘I take full responsibility.’  Keith held up his hands.  But I need to find her to make this right.’

‘And we won’t intrude on that, but make sure you do.’  Shiro gave Keith a pointed look.  He hadn’t even considered they might be fighting already.  Keith was a hot head, it was true, but he had learnt to control his emotions better in recent years, to channel it into what could be done.  And Pidge was passionate.  She was known to snap on occasion, and together, well, that could get messy.

‘I’ve got her.’  Liliana waved her phone.  ‘She’s gone to the garrison.  She says she hopes she didn’t worry anyone, and she’ll see us all tomorrow.’

‘Don’t tell her I’m on my way.’  Keith went for the door but Shiro caught his arm.

‘Slow down, bud, do you think that’s such a good idea?’

Keith turned and gave him a long stare before answering.  ‘It’s the best idea.  If I leave now I can talk to her.  If I come back with all of you tomorrow, it looks like I didn’t care enough to find her.’

‘She doesn’t want you to know where she is.  Maybe you should respect that?’  The room was silent until finally Shiro spoke again.  ‘Fine, go.  But you let us know you got there okay, and you let us know that you fixed whatever quiznak up you made.’

‘I will.’

Shiro pulled him in for a quick hug.  ‘I’ll make sure both of your things are brought back with us.’

‘I don’t actually care about that right now.’  Keith replied as he backed up towards the door, running down the corridor as soon as he reached it.

Notes:

Coming up! Pidge gets an uninvited visitor.

Chapter 97: Making Up

Summary:

Keith grovels, I mean, apologises

Notes:

Oh! Also at close of business yesterday, my docs came through with new meds to try help my erratic blood sugar levels. I will be able to start on them when I get back and they might even help me shift some weight, and that is something that I am really keen to do! Wish me luck!

Pidge had been angry on her way back to Blair House.  By the time she had thrown on a pair of shorts and long sleeved t-shirt, bundling the dress and shoes into the bottom of the closet, she was repeatedly playing Keith’s words over in her head.  And by the time she got Green to pick her up in a nearby park under stealth mode, she had cried for around seven minutes.  She knew, because she checked.  She didn’t want to be upset, she wanted to be angry, but the tears had come just the same, and she lamented her choice of a plain green top because some of the tears that had dripped off her chin had left marks.  Once she reached the garrison, however, she had focus.  She didn’t even bother leaving Green, instead she just set up her laptop, hacked into the garrison system, and checked to see if there were any updates or new test results from the mysterious Altean.  They were treating her as a coma patient, testing regularly for any changes, and that included bloods, which she set running in the background while she went over the other data.  Research she could do.  Apparently relationships were hard, she knew that, but she wasn’t expecting Keith to suddenly blow up at her for doing something she had done so many times over the last six years and use that to accuse her of what he did.  She tried not to dwell on it, it made her want to cry again, her stomach turning anxiously, so each time it happened, and it did far too often for her liking, she shook her head and tried to put it out of her mind.

It was almost two am when the proximity alarm went off inside the cockpit, and she wandered through with a cookie hanging out of her mouth and water pouch in her hand.  She combined the two into one grip and leaned over the console, tapping a few buttons one handed.

‘What are you showing me, girl?’

There, on the floating screen, was Black, scouting the area where she had landed and slowly making a  descent.  She sighed heavily.  She was in no mood for this.

‘Power down the lights, isolate the back so the light from my laptop can’t be seen.  I don’t want him to know I’m in here.’

Her lion gave a small, curious purr that rumbled through her feet as she went through to the back, the cockpit closing behind her.

‘Don’t be like that, I just need some space.’  She replied, taking her seat again and checking where she had got to.  ‘I don’t know what to say to him, or if I should even bring it up.  Maybe we’re over already and I just have to pretend the last week never happened.  But if he doubts how I feel about him…’  She stopped talking and pressed her hand over her mouth, feeling the urge to cry sneak up on her again.  ‘It just doesn’t matter.  I’m not ready for this.  Should have left you cloaked.’  She shook her head again.

Keith looked over the green lion, seemingly powered down, but his scanners didn’t lie.  There was one heat signature inside.  He didn’t blame her for trying to keep him out, for hiding from him, but she must have forgotten to keep up the shields that would have masked her presence.  She must have been so mad at him if she didn’t realise, and while he didn’t relish what was to come, he knew it had to be done, and he wanted to make things right.  He changed out of his armour and headed outside.

‘Hey, Green, I know she’s in there, can you let me in?’  No response.  ‘If it helps, I’m here to apologise.  I screwed up, I know I did.  I don’t even have an excuse, I was just wrong.’  He sighed and waited for a full minute before deciding on a different tact.  ‘She doesn’t want to see me, I get that.  But can you, I don’t know, pass on a message?  Record this and play it to her?  I didn’t mean what I said, and I don’t know why I said it, but I’m sorry and I want to make it up to her.  I love her, and I know she loves me.  I don’t doubt that.  I can’t even rationalise what I said.  I was just…I don’t know.  I can’t explain so I won’t try to.  I didn’t mean to hurt her, but I did.  And I’m sorry, just, so sorry.’

He turned to walk back to his lion, planning on spending the night in the cockpit, watching over Green and, by proxy, Pidge, but he hadn’t even got two steps when he heard a low growl and the metallic clank of the speeder bay doors open.  He smirked, knowing Green was on his side, at least and, turning to Black, he found she was already moving to raise him to get in.  ‘Thanks, both of you.’  He affectionately patted Black’s paw where he crouched on it, then rubbed Green when he was inside.  He was grateful for their backing.

He walked quietly into the back of Green, not deliberately trying to stay silent but also wanting to see if he could hear where she was, if she was sleeping, if he was about to get electrocuted, he definitely wanted a heads up on that last one, but it seemed Green hadn’t given her a warning, and he found her, eyes on her laptop, a drink and a snack beside her.  He leant against the doorway and folded his arms.

‘I told you I wasn’t a charming prince.’

Pidge froze mid-key click, then finished typing what she was before replying.  ‘And you weren’t wrong.’

‘No, I was, I was very wrong.  I shouldn’t have said what I did, and I didn’t mean it.  I don’t doubt you, not even for a minute, even as I said it, I didn’t doubt you.’

‘I need you to go.’  She said quietly, her voice emotional enough that his heart clenched.

‘I can’t do that.  Not until you let me finish.’

She swallowed hard, closing her eyes as she tried to keep her voice level, her emotions in check.  ‘Then say what you have to say and then go.’

To Keith it sounded like the best he was going to get.  ‘I’m sorry, Katie.  I truly don’t know why I said it.  It was…cruel, it was a horrible thing to say to you, especially because I didn’t mean it.  I love you more than anything I ever have, and I don’t want to break this, to break us.  I guess I was angry that you nearly got caught by the secret service, but that’s still no excuse.  We’ve had our privacy invaded since before we got together and just because it doesn’t bother me doesn’t excuse the fact that I didn’t think about how much it bothered you.  Going forward, I need to think more about what you need, rather than just what I think.  And if you still want me to go, I will, but I don’t want to leave things like this.  I need you to know what you mean to me, and that if I could go back and punch myself in the face before I said anything, I would, because we both know I deserve it.’

Tears from Pidge’s cheeks dripped onto the table she was sitting at, silently weeping because of all he had said, because deep down she had feared she had already lost what they had.  She didn’t want to talk, she felt too embarrassed to even try, knowing how emotional it would sound.  She hadn’t wanted to get upset, she had wanted to hear him out then mull it over and talk to him later.  But what he had said, his words, the guilt he expressed, she couldn’t help it.  The tears just started to fall even though it was the last thing she wanted.

‘I guess I’ll just go, leave you to whatever you’re working on.’  He said quietly, his heart clenching as he looked at her back, head bowed.  She had only said three sentences since he arrived but it was obvious she was hurt and angry, and maybe this would take them time to get over.  He understood her need to be alone with her feelings, he had done it enough times himself, and he turned to leave.  He didn’t even hear her move, and he could only blame the beat of his own heart in his ears, but suddenly her arms were around him from behind, her face buried between his shoulder blades.

‘You’re so quiznaking stupid.’  Her muffled voice vibrated against his skin as he wrapped his arms over hers.  ‘Like you could ever love me more than I love you.’

Keith gave a small laugh, pathetic as it was, but he was so glad to hear her voice, to feel her close, he had to clear his throat before he could speak.  ‘I would normally argue that fact, but I don’t want to fight with you any more.’

‘If you ever want to fight about that I’ll challenge you to a battle of brains and then you’ll see who’s right.’

‘I’m just not going to fight about it, no matter what.’  He carefully loosened her arms and turned, pulling her against his chest and cuddling her close.  ‘I really am sorry.  It was the stupidest thing that has ever come out of my mouth.’

‘You once said Lance had a good idea.’  She reminded him.

‘That’s still second.’  He bowed his head and pressed his cheek to her hair.  ‘I don’t expect you to forgive me, because I don’t even forgive myself, but can we move forward, just put this behind us?’

‘Oh, shut your mouth.  We’ll be okay.’  She hesitated.  ‘We will, right?’

‘We’ll be okay and more.’

‘Promise?’

He leant back and caught her chin with his fingers, raising her face to his, which was when he realised her cheeks were tear streaked, her eyes still watery even now.  ‘Oh, God, Katie, I’m so sorry.’  He kissed at her cheeks, her eyes, until she was pushing him off, scrubbing at her face with her sleeves .

‘Stop, stop!  I didn’t want you to see me crying!’

‘Come on, a boyfriend has to comfort his girlfriend when she’s upset.’  He didn’t let her pull away, his arms firmly fastened around her.

‘Not when he’s the one doing the upsetting!  Just let me go and pretend you didn’t see it.’

‘You see, that’s a problem.’

She looked at him through her fingers.  ‘What is?’

‘I can’t let you go, because I don’t plan on doing that ever again.’

Pidge sniffed loudly and dragged her hands over her face one more time and looked up at him with a pout.  ‘Just you make sure you don’t.’

‘I promise.’  He raised her hand and kissed her knuckles softly.  The gesture and promise melted her heart, and she cuddled up to him again, glad they were back to where they were just hours ago.

Notes:

Next!!! Keith just wants to watch Katie sleep

Chapter 98: The Look Of Love

Summary:

Keith contemplates, Pidge complains...for a bit, anyway

The small bed in the back of Green wasn’t the most spacious, but curled up facing one another they both managed.  Neither one wanted to sleep immediately, each fearing if they slept they would wake and find the whole make up was just a dream.

Keith watched her sleep for a long while before succumbing himself.  Her eyes were still red, and no amount of her scrubbing would take away the swelling.  His fingertips cautiously traced the contours of her face, her nose wrinkling as he touched a particularly sensitive spot.  He smiled at the expression she made.  She meant the world to him, no, she was his world.  His home.  He hadn’t understood the phrase until now, how someone could be so important not that you would die for, but would live for.  He had always been rash, willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good, for the team, but now the thought gave him butterflies.  He wanted to live for her, with her, to protect her and be protected by her.  He had meant what he said; they were equals, partners; and perhaps that was why the prospect of them staying together long enough to consider marriage hadn’t fazed him.  Certainly, it was early in their relationship, too early to be thinking about it seriously, but he just knew.  This was meant to last.  Maybe the Galra part of him was territorial, or maybe it was an integral part of him.  And if the world had thought they were engaged it was as good as warning off any interested parties that they belonged to one another.  For some reason, that did something to Keith, something primal.  She was his, just as he was hers.  He wanted everyone to know, he wanted no one to show her undue or unwanted attention like Jameson had, and he wondered if she felt the same.  He knew the fact they had had their sex lives shared amongst the team upset her, although maybe embarrassed her would be a better description.  Not to mention the world thought they were together before they actually were.  She hated the attention, but as she had spent so long trying to go under the proverbial radar, it was probably ingrained in her to keep a low profile.  That also made him think back to the conversations they had had while stranded together.  They shared their experiences growing up, and while her home life was very different to his, after he lost his dad at least, their school lives were surprisingly similar.  Both were outcasts, in their own way, her for her genius him for, well, his attitude, if he had to be honest.  They had both had those who targeted them.  And then they both had people taken by the Galra on the Kerberos mission.  Their lives were like two sides of the same coin, going through similar circumstances, never meeting, until eventually they crashed into one another's lives.  It was amazing their paths hadn’t crossed sooner, but fate worked in strange ways.  If they had met sooner, they might not have been where they were now, and he would never wonder what if because of what they had.

‘Are you just going to stare at me all night or are you going to sleep?’  Pidge’s voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes still closed.

His smiled widened, her words amusing him no end.  ‘How am I meant to sleep when someone as beautiful as you is lying beside me.’

‘You close your eyes, dumbass.’  She reached up and groped around his face until she could cover his eyes with her palm.  ‘Try it.’

‘Is me watching you bothering you?’

‘You keep sighing like a lovesick teenager is bothering me.  You’re in your twenties.  Deal with it.’

He settled down, his head on the pillow they shared, his fingers trailing up and down her back.  ‘But if I close my eyes, I’ll miss you.’

‘Then dream about me.  Just, shhhh.  You’re thinking too loud.’

‘If I think quieter…’

‘Oh my God, Keith, go the fuck to sleep!’  She glared up at him and laughed at his continued excuses, sappy as they may be, she appreciated them.  She couldn’t let him know that though, not right now.  Instead, she jabbed her fingers into his ribs a couple of times to try and get him to comply.  It didn’t quite have the desired effect.  Although he did flinch and yelp at the sudden attack, he quickly grabbed her wrists and rolled her onto her back on the small bunk, pinning her hands beside her head and her lower body with his hips.

‘Okay, from this point on, tickling has got to be strictly off limits.’  He breathed, his face so close to her a hard thought would bring them together.

‘Maybe that’s part of your punishment.’  She replied, her voice hushed in the intimate position they found themselves in.

‘Is this still part of the old punishment or a new one?’

She looked thoughtful for a moment.  ‘I think I’ve lost track.’

‘Start over?’  He suggested hopefully.

‘I don’t know, I feel like you’re getting off easy.’

‘Then how about this.’  He leaned in and placed a soft, lingering kiss on her lips.  ‘Instead of punishing me, you let me make it up to you.’

With her eyes closed, she let out a gentle sigh.  ‘I mean, you could try and convince me your way is better.’

‘It would be my pleasure…and yours.’  Before she could even formulate a reply his lips were back on hers, the weight of his body leaving her in no doubt of how he planned to persuade her.

Notes:

Coming next: They're at it again, you know *wink wink* sexy times in Green!

Chapter 99: OMG THEY WERE BUNKMATES

Summary:

Smut, that's it. Green gets christened, so to speak!

Notes:

Eeeeee less that 24 hours til my vacay! I'm really looking forward to it even though I know I will be agony because of the unfamiliar bed and busy days! Still, I normally get some good writing done and damn do I love writing with a sea view!

Pidge wasn’t sure where Keith developed his talents or if they were completely natural, or even if they were through careful research like herself, but right now she couldn’t have recalled a conscious thought if she had tried.  His hands seemed to be everywhere at once, her skin on fire where he touched, and as for his lips?  Well, if magma felt this good, sign her up to be sacrificed to a volcano god.

His lips were currently teasing her nipple while his fingers rolled the other to a hard point.  Her hands were lost in his hair, carding through the roots and clenching in a way that had him growl against her flesh.  The vibration over her skin had goosebumps spread in their wake like a bolt of electricity, her back rising off the narrow bed.  Keith’s arm curved around her and held her close against his body, kissing his way up her chest to her collarbone then her neck.  Sucking on her skin brought a needy groan from her throat, and Keith swore the sound spoke to him on a spiritual level.  He dragged his teeth across her soft skin before sucking it into his mouth so hard his teeth pressed into her skin and she cried out.  Keith drew back, a look akin to panic in his eyes as he first checked her neck then turned to face her.

‘Are you okay?  I didn’t meant to hurt you.’

‘You gotta learn the difference between a good and a bad scream.’  She gasped, pulling him down for a deep kiss that had him forget entirely what he was worried about.

She pulled at his underwear, the last thing between them, as her tongue brushed his, encouraging him to remove them, which he did, causing their lips to part for mere seconds before he was upon her once more.  His mouth trailed back to her neck, lathing his tongue over the red mark he had left by way of an apology, before continuing down her body, leaving more little marks that made her gasp but never quite got her back to the sound that had worried him.  Pidge was writhing by the time he reached her abdomen, her stomach quivering in anticipation and his proximity to her most sensitive parts.  His kisses continued to track downwards, over one hip and to her thigh, nipping playfully at the tender flesh before turning his attention to his prize.  He stroked his fingers over her first, feeling her thighs tense around him as he explored her.  She was already wet and he felt a sense of pride at how much he had affected her already.  He teased at her for a moment before caressing her with his tongue, from entrance to that little bundle of nerves that had her groan and squirm at his touch.  It took him no time at all to have her drawn taut beneath him, his fingers trailing around her entrance before he slowly slipped two inside.  Her shoulders raised off the bed at the sudden sweet invasion, the curl of his digits coupled with the movement of his tongue causing her to give a hearty groan that rattled through her body, a verbal reflection as spasm after spasm wracked her, but he didn’t yet stop.  Cautiously he drew her through the orgasm, as her limbs grew heavy, her toes curling and her vision turning white.  His fingers gently stretched her, preparing her for him, while his tongue lathed over her heated core, drawing her pleasure far further than she had ever managed alone.

She lay panting as Keith moved, but not up her body as she had expected.  Instead he climbed back and off the bottom of the bunk, hooking his arms under her knees and pulling her down to him.  She gave a surprised; “eep!”; that made him laugh as her shocked eyes met his, having not expected it.

‘Did I tell you today how much I love you?’  He asked, bending over her and offering her a sweet, slow kiss that made her murmur appreciatively.

‘After what you just did to me, you expect me to be able to remember anything from the last twenty-four hours?’

‘Very much.’  He ignored her complaint and pressed another quick kiss to her lips before straightening and lining himself up at her entrance.  She looked him over and rolled her head back as she bit her lip, the sight being too pleasurable for her to comprehend at such a sensual moment.  He pressed forward, entering her agonisingly slowly in one drawn out glide that had her gripping the sides of the bed in pleasure.  Once he was fully seated, he tucked her knees over his forearms and took her hips in his hands, securing them together before he drew himself back out.

‘I love you too.’  She murmured, giving him a look that combined with her words, had him drive himself back into her.  His fingers clenched on her flesh and she gave a shuddering whimper at the feel of him filling her completely so soon after the orgasm had coursed through her.  Her left hand released the bed and instead gripped his wrist.  ‘Don’t hold back.’  She breathed.  ‘Please, don’t hold back.’

Keith released a sharp breath at her request, his body urging him to do just that, to let go, but he shook his head marginally.  ‘I don’t want to hurt you.’

‘If you do, I’ll stop you, but please, Keith,’ she laughed softly, ‘I want everything you can give me.’

‘Fuck.’  He growled, hands trembling with the effort to control himself, even as it began to slip at her request.  ‘You promise you’ll stop me?’

‘I swear.’

He gritted his teeth and took in a long, slow breath through his nose before shifting his hips enough to drag himself back, pausing for a moment before ramming himself inside her in a way that felt far too rough, but flat out did it for Pidge.

‘Fuck, yes!’  Her fingers squeezed his much bigger wrist and he took her at her word, gripping her flesh and slamming into her time after time until his control began to wane.  Pidge had never felt anything like it, as he reached his end, the burst of pleasure just on the edge of pain filled her senses until she could do nothing but make nonsensical sounds, a cross between a whimper and a moan that was accentuated by her gasping breaths.  Keith watched as her face became one of complete rapture, her body contorting under his as she chased another release.  Switching to shorter, sharper thrusts, he had her screaming his name in moments, and the sight of her losing control let the last of his give out.

The groan he gave was free and feral, his hips pulsing against hers hard enough to move her up the bed even as he kept her in his grip.  After several moments of them caught in a loop of joint pleasure, her hold on his wrist went limp and fell to the covers, his own body trembling in a mirror of that running through her own body.  Taking a careful step back, he slid free of her, leaning heavily on the bed with his arms either side of her hips, his breathing out of his control.  Looking up at her, he found her right arm draped across her eyes as she tried to tame her own heaving chest, her lips slightly parted with a delectable kiss-swollen pout.  From there his eyes trailed downwards, finding several small marks he had left on her skin, pride filling him, and he quirked a small sideways smile.  Steeling himself with a deep breath, he moved his weary body to the side of the bed and tucked his arms under Pidge’s knees and shoulders, lifting her up onto the pillow as she grasped at him in surprise.

‘Whoa, I-I-I can do that!’  She scrambled to help him but he already had her in position.

‘No need, I got you.’  He sat on the bed beside her hip.  ‘I would love nothing more than to carry you into the shower and clean you off before we sleep, but I know the lion’s showers are built for efficient decontamination, not to be spacious.’  He referred to the barely big enough showers that cleaned in seconds, choosing function over form; a quick blast of water, followed by rapid, heated air.  A wash and dry in less than a minute.  Practical but not pleasurable.

‘We can take turns.’  She murmured.  ‘Then hug afterwards.  And if I don’t go first I’m going to fall asleep without.’

‘Come on then.’  He offered her his hands and she allowed him to pull her upright, her body lethargic in the most delightful of ways.

‘Thanks.’  She swung her legs over beside him, but stopped before getting up and looked up at him.  ‘I don’t think I made my point loud enough earlier.’

Keith raised his eyebrows.  ‘I think you were plenty loud enough.’

‘Not that.’  She sputtered a laugh.  ‘I meant this.’  She leant forward and cupped his cheek, pulling him down for a soft kiss.  ‘I love you.  I love you so much.  I don’t want to fight with you, but I do want us to sit down and discuss what happened properly so we can both understand each other’s side of things.  What do you think?’

‘I think you’re far too beautiful to be as smart as you are.’  He brushed his fingertips over the hair that stuck to her damp forehead.

‘I don’t know if that’s an insult of a compliment.’  She wrinkled her nose, and he laughed.

‘I promise you, it was a compliment.  There should be some rule that you can’t be both, because I hit the jackpot with you.’

‘And you think I didn’t?  I got a paladin, blade, galaxy saving hero for a boyfriend.’

He pressed their foreheads together.  ‘Well done on taking the compliment.’

She smiled to herself.  ‘Thanks, do you know how hard that was?’

‘Maybe as hard as it’s going to be to walk to the shower?’

She groaned.  ‘Yeah, that is a fair assessment.’  She sat up straight and took a deep breath.  ‘Well, wish me luck.’  She pushed to her feet, finding her legs jittering like she had been sent on a ten k run.  ‘Jesus, how did you wreck my entire body in one night?’

‘Not completely wrecked, but you’ll heal in time for me to try again soon, right?’

‘God, I quiznaking hope so.’  She laughed, and stumbled away, Keith watching her, both enamoured and amused at the same time.

Notes:

Next up! Breakfast at Blair House

Chapter 100: Colleen ‘don’t fuck with me’ Holt

Summary:

Lance is hungover, Colleen is not amused

Notes:

LOOOOOOK CHAPTER 100!!!!!!

Lance was the last to join everyone for breakfast the next morning, his pallor a little off and his eyes hidden by sunglasses.  Hunk laughed behind his hand while pouring a coffee just how Lance liked it, and Liliana sighed.  Lance had definitely had a fair few glasses of champagne last night but truthfully she hadn’t realised he was worse for wear until the fresh air hit him.

She got up and waved him over, seating him in the chair beside her at the long table with two conspicuous place settings left empty.  She wasn’t worried, Keith had sent Shiro a message in the early hours that all was well and they would both be there to greet them on their return to the garrison which, if it was good enough for Shiro, it was good enough for her.  She was glad all was well with her new friends again, but it was bittersweet as her time as their envoy was coming to an end.

‘Well, you obviously aren’t feeling great, but how are you feeling specifically?’  She asked as Lance took the mug from Hunk gratefully, holding it in both hands with his elbows on the table, and Liliana could see his eyes were closed as he breathed in the scent.

He started to sip the coffee but found it too hot so put it down.  ‘I think I’m allergic to French champagne.’

Liliana fought not to laugh, pressing her lips together, but no one else at the table liked Lance as much as she did to try and sugarcoat it.  ‘Have you taken any painkillers?’  She asked, but her words were drowned out as Matt called from down the table, far louder than he needed to; ‘You deserve everything you’re feeling, if you drank that much.’

‘I didn’t drink that much.’  Lance groaned, Matt’s voice going through his head like a lightning bolt.  ‘I’m just a champagne lightweight apparently.’

‘When was the last time you drank that much?’  Hunk asked.  ‘Because even on the diplomatic tour we just did across the galaxies, we really all limited our alcohol just because it was so different.  Did you think you’d just be okay because it was Earth alcohol or something?’

‘I think I would be okay if no one talked to me for a while.’  He grumbled as Colleen sighed.

‘Leave the poor boy alone.  Yes, it’s his fault, but it can be very difficult at occasions like this when you’re the centre of attention.  Did none of you feel pressured last night to keep a drink in your hand?’

‘Well, yeah.’  Hunk agreed.  ‘But that was what I did.  I kept a drink in my hand so I didn’t need to pick up an other one.’

‘And you were more interested in the food, let’s face it.’  Shiro reminded him he hadn’t strayed far from the buffet.

‘Can you blame me?  When am I likely to ever be allowed to sample foods deemed fit for the president again?’

‘That’s fair.’  Shiro sipped his orange juice.  ‘And it did make it easy to find you all night.’

‘Unlike the runaways.’  Coran commented without looking up from his plate.  ‘I’m telling you, it was just an excuse for them to mate like…’

‘Do not finish that sentence, Coran, if you value your coffee in a mug and not your lap.’  Allura snapped before turning her attention back to Shiro.  ‘You said you heard from Keith, but was there any more information than that?  It’s not like Pidge to just run out without telling anyone.’

‘Are you sure about that?’  Colleen commented.  ‘Because it’s quite on brand from my experience.’

‘That was just once.’  Matt said in defence of his sister.

‘And once was enough.’

‘All I know,’ Shiro started talking in the hope of diffusing whatever Holt style disaster this could devolve into, ‘is that Keith said everything was okay, no need to worry, and he would see us back at the garrison when we get there.’

‘I’m glad the two of them worked out whatever it was.’  Allura, who had been eating the most interesting fruit salad which, honestly, was more of a rainbow than the trout was, stated.  ‘I’m hoping Pidge and I can work on the Altean problem once we’re back.’

‘She knows it’s a priority, don’t worry.’  Shiro assured her.

‘I’m not worried.’  Allura replied with a smile.  ‘She has been very diligent during this tour of your planet, despite certain people not having faith in her.’  She glared pointedly at Coran.

‘I’m just saying we all know what they’ve been up to, and maybe now we have an Earth couple with us we can clear things up.’

‘Oh, this can’t go wrong at all.’  Shiro muttered to himself, rubbing his hand over his forehead.

‘And I think it’s rather rude of you to suggest such a thing.’  Allura replied sternly before turning to the older Holt couple sitting opposite.  ‘I apologise in advance for any ridiculousness that might come out of Coran’s mouth regarding your relationship or that of humans in general.’

‘That sounds…intrusive.’  Colleen glanced at Sam.  ‘But also intriguing.’

‘Don’t encourage him.’  Allura warned.  ‘I may have apologised but that won’t mean I take responsibility.’

‘We won’t take it out on you.’  Colleen smiled curiously.  ‘And I reserve the right to refuse to answer any questions I choose.  So go ahead, Coran, ask away.’

‘You can’t say I didn’t warn you.’  Allura shrugged, lifting her teacup.

‘You’ll soon see I was right.’  Coran insisted before threading his fingers together and giving the Holt’s a serious look.  ‘It is a fact that humans have a shorter lifespan than alteans, and I believe that therefore you have more…prolific sex lives.  Having to procreate as often as possible to ensure your family line continues.  And, therefore, your most fertile years are spent reproducing instead of focusing on things such as your careers.’

Colleen and Sam just stared at him for a long moment before she took a deep breath in through her nose and let it out again slowly.  ‘Let me get this straight.  You believe that now Katie and Keith are a couple, they will be unable to carry out any tasks as members of Voltron or the garrison, due to uncontrollable biological urges?’

‘You see!’  Coran looked at Allura in triumph as he waved his hand towards the Holts.  ‘I told you they would confirm it, now they are in their twilight years and the compunction to mate has passed!’

‘Twilight years?’  Sam stared at him in astonishment while Matt started laughing heartily.

‘Coran,’ Colleen said calmly, ‘if you value your own manhood, I suggest you start running now, because if I catch you, I will be introducing you to an ancient human practice known as castration.’

‘I told you you were wrong.’  Allura stated, putting down her cup.  ‘And now I suggest you apologise before you find out if Colleen is serious or not.’

‘I meant no harm, I’m just trying to learn as I go, and there’s a lot to take in!’  Coran defended himself even as he shuffled his chair back.  ‘But maybe I was a little hasty…if you’ll excuse me, my research seems to need some more work.’  And with that, he left the table, walking rapidly away as Allura covered her mouth with her hand to hide her laugh.

Notes:

Neeeext! Someone comes a-knocking!

Chapter 101: CLANG CLANK CLANG

Summary:

Iverson makes an early visit to Green

Pidge was warm, and comfortable, deep in a dreamless sleep that left her feeling rested and…wait…if she was asleep, why was she aware of the previous statement?  She could feel she was warm, she could feel she was comfortable, her sleep had been deep, dreamless, and the kind that left you feeling energised for the day, but there was something else.  Her consciousness was filtering this information back to her until she woke enough to find what had actually woken her.

CLANG CLANK CLANG

The rhythmic noise was coming from Green’s exterior, of that she was sure, and as her body fully came back to her she wished the noise would stop, that whoever was causing it would just go away, and leave her in this position…maybe for a few more hours.

Keith was on his back on the bunk with Pidge laying mostly on top of him.  Her right side was tucked under his arm and touching the mattress, but the rest of her body draped over him, her left leg nestled between both of his, her left arm lay by his side, her hand looped around the underside of his shoulder.  Her cheek to his chest heard every breath, every heartbeat, and it was the best white noise she had ever experienced, a comforting sound and vibration combination that hit her on a wavelength that instinctively made her feel safe and loved.  And it was all Keith.  Keith made her feel safe and loved.  In his arms she felt she could do anything, succeed at anything, and…

CLANG CLANK CLANG

She pushed up with her hands and wrinkled her nose.  ‘What the fuck is that?’  She grumbled to herself before shuffling herself backwards off the bed and throwing the blanket back on top of Keith even as he began to stir.  She grabbed some clothes off the floor, pulling the t-shirt over her head as she walked to the cockpit, then stepping into the shorts staggeringly as she reached the cockpit.

‘Who disturbs my slumber, girl?’  A screen popped up and showed none other than Iverson hammering on the front left leg, three solid thumps then stopping for a short while then repeating the process over again.  What surprised her most was sitting calmly at his heels were Bae Bae and Kosmo.  ‘What the actual fuck is going on?’  She yawned.  ‘Head on down and open up, I guess.’  She tugged on her shirt to make sure she was decent and headed to the top of the ramp, Keith meeting her part way there in just his jeans.

‘Well, that’s where my shirt went.’  He smiled at her and she looked down, realising what she had grabbed.

‘Sorry, I didn’t even realise.’

‘It’s all good.  What do we have?’

‘Iverson bashing down the castle gates with the two cutest fuzzy buddies in the known universes.’

‘Iverson has Kosmo and Bae Bae?’  He asked in surprise as they started down the ramp, the jaws just beginning to open.

‘I mean they were staying with Mom but she came to the ball, so I guess Iverson was backup petsitter.’  She shrugged.

‘Alright.’  Keith agreed with her assessment made sense.  ‘But why is he hammering to get to us at…what time is it?’

Pidge checked her wrist computer.  ‘Wow, almost one pm.  The others were getting back by midday.  I guess time flies.’

‘When you’re recovering from great sex it does.’  He whispered against her ear, his breath brushing her ear and making her shiver.

‘Shh!’  She quieted him as they reached the bottom, coming face to face with Iverson as Bae Bae bounded up and started jumping up at her legs.  ‘Hey baby Bae Bae!’  She crouched and hugged her, giving tickles at the same time, and a moment later Kosmo had joined them, nudging Pidge’s shoulder with enough strength to deposit her on the floor, before going and sitting patiently by Keith’s heel.

‘Good boy.’  Keith patted his head as Pidge got to her feet.  ‘What brings you out here, Commander?’

‘To return your pups, for one thing.  For another to inform you there is a meeting in under an hour for those of you returning from the tour, including your remaining envoys.  We would also like to go over Jameson’s actions to file for his court-martial.’

‘Right.’  Pidge nodded, forgetting there would be paperwork to complete on top of a trial, and Keith noticed her nervous shifting, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her back against his chest.

‘Will he get jail time for what he did?  Or are we looking at some sort of community service?’

‘Captain Holt’s testimony will provide the information we need to decide on which charges can bring brought down on him, but rest assured, he will receive some jail time.  He will be made an example of due to his inappropriate actions and for bringing the garrison name into ill repute.  Both are very serious accusations and the punishment will fit.’

‘I want reassurance he won’t be free to come after her for revenge.’  Pidge looked up at Keith in surprise, having not thought of that, thinking sending him back would be the end of it.

‘He will serve his time and measures will be put in place, starting with, but not limited to, a restraining order forbidding him to be within the vicinity of or any contact with Captain Holt.  He will be ineligible for any military or official government duties, from police officers, firefighters, all the way down to garbage man.  He will be a private citizen in every sense of the word, and will need to be employed as such.  If anyone will take him on.  A black mark from the Galaxy Garrison can limit your options greatly.’

Keith felt Pidge tense and swallow in his arms and he knew what was coming, what she was thinking, and stepped in before she could mention it.  ‘Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.  He persisted with his handsy crusade even though the evidence was right there in front of him that we’re a couple.  If someone is that blinded by their own agenda then they don’t deserve to wear the garrison uniform.  They’re a danger to themself and those around them.  This is too high stake to mess around with people so self minded.’

Iverson gave him an apprising look, the corners of his lips, twitching.  ‘You’ve matured from that hot headed cadet I had the unfortunate duty to expel.  And I couldn’t be more proud of the man you’ve become.’

Keith was taken aback, he never thought he would receive praise from Iverson, let alone some so high.  ‘I…uh…thank you, sir.  I’m kinda proud of where I ended up too.’

‘And you,’ he looked down at Pidge, ‘how I didn’t realise you were related to Matthew Holt when you enrolled under an assumed name, I will never know.  But I’m also glad you did what you did.  I’m not a sentimental man, but I do know when to be grateful.  Also, you have perhaps the cutest dogs in this state, which helps.’  He winked.  ‘I’ll see you both in the command centre.’  He began to walk away, Pidge snapping her fingers at Bae Bae to get her to stay, then Iverson stopped again.  ‘One more thing,’ he glanced over his shoulder, ‘it’s none of my business what you do in your private lives, but consider being more subtle just in case your parents decide to drop by.’

Pidge looked down at her obvious state of definitely not dressed, and blushed pink.  ‘We were asleep!’

‘Of course you were.’  Iverson smirked and, holding his hands behind his back, walked back the way he had come.

‘We have got to start making people wait until we’re decent.’  She grumbled.

‘You know,’ Keith leaned forward so his cheek was pressed to hers, his chin on her shoulder, ‘it’s a shame we have the dogs, because we could go back inside Green and make ourselves busy, knowing full well Iverson will know what made us late.’

‘Are you kidding?’  She turned her head, finding them nose to nose.

‘That depends…are you tempted?’

She pushed his hands off her waist and ran up the ramp.  ‘Dammit, yes.’  She called back, making him laugh before he headed back up the ramp with the two pups in tow.

Notes:

Coming tomorrow, whenever I can because holibobs beckons!!! Everyone is back at the garrison so it's time to be debriefed!

Chapter 102: Debriefing

Summary:

The team and Iverson have a debriefing following the tour, including what is going to happen to Jameson

Notes:

I am here! Sitting in a caravan, with Princess and the Frog on TV, my family around me, and just finished chapter 127! So here you go, 102!

Silly note here, IDK why I called him Jameson, I had to go back over this damn chapter cos I kept mixing up Iverson and Jameson's names!!! What a nightmare!

Everyone was on time for the meeting and the two dogs were handed back to Colleen to keep her company in the grassed outdoor area of the botany lab.  The meeting was uneventful, other than the whole Jameson debacle and the Galra drone carrier, it was a straightforward tour.  Nothing was mentioned about the power outage at the presidential ball, but when it wasn’t mentioned it reminded Pidge that she and Keith still had to talk about it.  The conversation eventually turned to Jameson and his charges, which was when everybody suddenly had an opinion.

‘His record was exemplary, no complaints against him, passed all his exams and physicals with flying colours.’  Iverson read from the data pad in front of him at the head of the table, even though he knew the details like the back of his hand.  No one was going to be pulling this kind of shit with anyone on his watch, let alone a Paladin of Voltron.

‘I hope you’re not suggesting there was something Katie did to set him off.’  Sam made it a statement rather than a question, sitting on Pidge’s other side to Keith.

‘Of course not.’  Iverson said reassuringly.  ‘But I’m making the point that by doing this single series of events he hasn’t just ruined his perfect record, he’s burnt it to ash.’

‘No argument here.’  Shiro shifted in his seat.  ‘And while I hate to imagine that something could have been going on under our noses, but if he has a…’  He sighed.  ‘I’m loathe to say victim profile, but there might be others come forward with similar stories.’

‘You think he might have done similar to other people?’  Pidge asked in disbelief.

Shiro shrugged, his arm bobbing with the motion.  ‘Maybe.  There’s no telling unless someone else makes a complaint, now that they’re safe from him.  If he was a golden boy in his unit then they might have felt they couldn’t say anything, he might have even coerced them.’

‘You mean threatened.’  Keith crossed his arms.  ‘Let’s not sugar coat it.  He was a predator and we all know that.’

‘Do we?’  Lance looked pointedly at Pidge from across the table.  ‘I remember you arguing that it could have been your fault.’

‘I’m over that.’  She sighed.  ‘Knowing he could have been using his position to get others to comply with what he wanted, knowing it wasn’t just me being naïve, I don’t feel bad for him getting what’s coming to him.  I just hadn’t realised this could have affected others besides myself.’

‘As long as we’re all in agreement.’  Lance gave her a small smile, glad she had come around.

‘For once.’  She smiled back.

‘Alright.’  Iverson nodded decisively.  ‘We are pushing for the charges of sexual harassment and physical assault, is there anything else we should know or add?’

‘Does touching her without her permission count?’  Keith asked and all eyes fell on Pidge.

‘I thought he…you said he didn’t…’  Hunk asked uncertainly and Pidge realised what Keith was talking about.

‘He touched my ass.  Once.  If we try that as sexual assault he could just say it was an accident.’

‘We all saw it.’  Keith reminded.

‘Who is “all”?’  Iverson asked.

‘Me, Lance, Matt, Liliana.  And Pidge didn’t exactly see it but suffered it.’

‘Five witnesses, including the victim.’  Shiro looked to Iverson.  ‘I say we put it through and if his attorney argues it, we still have the firm charges to fall back on.  Any additional charges are just that, additional.  We have witnesses and video evidence of the two main charges.  His non-consensual attempt to kiss Pidge, and his actual physical assault on her.’

‘Can we throw in verbal assault?  Is that a charge that can be brought?’  Everyone was surprised when it was Liliana who spoke up.

‘Verbal assault?’  Iverson said in reply, surprised an envoy was taking so much interest, even if she was a witness.

‘He called Pidge some awful names both before and after he attacked her.  In the UK it is classed as criminal offence if it’s used deliberately to cause alarm, distress, or to harass.’

‘I’ll add verbal assault and see what our legal team can do with it.  Thank you, Miss Cooper.’  Iverson made a note on his data pad.

‘Any time.’  She nodded to him and Lance nudged her leg with his own under the table, giving her a grateful smile.

‘I don’t suppose…’  Pidge started hesitantly.  ‘We can use something about political or international relations?  We were at an event with the English royal family when he did it.  It’s a long shot, but the garrison’s reputation was risked by his actions.  He was a representative and it put us in a bad light.’

‘Maybe not a legal charge but a good note to have on his discharge; bringing the name of the Galaxy Garrison into disrepute with both his words and actions.  Any more?’

‘I can’t think of anything.’  Pidge shook her head and glanced at Allura who nodded.  ‘And if we’re all done, I want to bring something else up.’

‘Is there anything else regarding Jameson?’  Iverson looked around the table.

Sam spoke.  ‘I think I speak for all of us when I say just make sure he is persecuted to the full extent of the law.’

‘No argument here.  You have the floor, Captain Holt.’  He looked back at Pidge, who got to her feet.

‘Before we left, Allura and I were discussing the unconscious Altean in the infirmary.  After a lot of research and comparing note, we have a theory of what might be keeping her unconscious.’

Iverson gave Pidge a solid look she had once flinched at, but not any more.  ‘And you kept this between yourselves?’

‘We did, because there is nothing the garrison doctors could do about it, and it was just hearsay.  Until it wasn’t.’

‘And when it stopped being hearsay?’

‘I’ll answer that.’  Allura got to her feet.  ‘We had to concentrate on the last of the tour, the presidential medal ceremony and ball in particular, so wanted to wait until our return so Pidge and I can work directly with the infirmary with our theory and, if we are correct, this may bring the Altean out of their unconscious state.’

‘Then I say this meeting is dismissed and you two can go and start your work immediately.  Report to me at once if anything changes.’

‘You got it.  Sir.’  Pidge nodded to him, a grateful smile sneaking onto her lips.

‘You’re really going straight to work, huh?’  Keith asked as he tucked his chair under the table.

‘Yeah.  I really need to get this started to see if our theory is correct.’

‘Then let’s go.’

‘You’re coming with?’  She said in surprise as Sam lingered behind her.

‘I told you I would.’

‘I guess you did.’  She smiled.

‘I’ll even wait outside like I promised.’

‘Damn, you have a good memory.’  She wrinkled her nose.

‘I’ll see you outside, I think your dad wants to talk.’  He nodded towards Sam with a smile, acknowledging him.

‘Actually, it’s you I wanted to talk to, son.’

Keith swallowed, the smile slipping from his face.  ‘Me?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Oh, have fun.’  Pidge bounced up and kissed his cheek before flashing a smile back at Sam.  ‘Go gentle on him.’  She winked before trotting out of the room faster than she would normally have.

Keith would have watched her go but the gentle smile on Sam’s lips made him nervous, and he didn’t know why.  He had an idea, but he wasn’t sure if he should be nervous or not.  ‘So, uh, what can I help you with, Commander Holt?’

Sam laughed.  ‘You can dispense with my title, Keith, this is an informal chat.  Off the record.’

‘Okay.’

‘Really, it’s nothing to worry about.’  Sam patted Keith’s arm.  ‘Why don’t we take a seat?’

They did so, facing one another in the swivel chairs, Keith’s hands clenched together, elbows leaning on his knees, while Sam’s pose was relaxed.

‘I’m not about to start lecturing you about Katie, or anything to do with your relationship.  Mostly because Colleen has warned me I’m not to do that and that she trusts both of you.’

Keith almost choked on his own spit, instead swallowing again and letting Sam continue.

‘But what I do want to do is extend you a hand.’

‘A hand, sir?’

‘Maybe that’s the wrong way to put it.  I want to offer you and Katie the opportunity to move into her old room in our house within the base.  But I wanted to offer it to you first.  If you don’t feel comfortable with the idea yet then consider it open ended.  If you should change your mind the offer stands.  If you would rather have a family home where your relationship is honoured and respected then you only have to say yes.  There will be no questions, we will accommodate you both with your choices, be it anything from eating and socialising with the family, your furniture, anything at all, within reason of course.  The last thing we want is for you to feel unwelcome, for Katie to think you are not welcome now you are a couple.  On the contrary, I think it might do you both good to have a home to come back to whenever you aren’t off saving a galaxy or ensuring your presence is still known across them.’

‘Wow.’  Keith stated, almost, but not quite, stunned to silence.  ‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘Say you’ll think about it.  And when you make your decision let me know.  We’ll invite you and Katie for dinner, just the four of us, and I will put the offer on the table for the two of you to discuss.  It means there will be no awkwardness of me springing this on the pair of you if you have any doubts about wanting to do so.  You can make the decision and Katie can find out if and when she needs to.  She has enough on her shoulders without worrying about insulting either you or Colleen and I.’

‘Sir, I’m honoured you would even offer this to me, to us.  Thank you.  And I’ll think about it.’

‘Take as long as you need.’  Sam held his hand out to him, Keith taking it a moment later and they shook.  ‘I know you’ll take care of her.’

‘I always will.’

Notes:

Coming up! Allura works on the altean

Chapter 103: Waking Up Is Hard To Do

Summary:

Allura and Pidge work to wake the altean.

Notes:

Day two, and first full day of our holiday, the weather isn't too bad but it isn't very sunny and chilly first thing in the morning/at night, but it's dry and that's what matters! Right now it's just past 7pm and we are chilling in the caravan with a movie, some colouring/puzzle books, and cozy in our pjs! I haven't had much chance to write but at least I have a good few chapters to fall back on!

By the time Keith reached the infirmary Pidge and Allura had set up, Pidge at a desk with her laptop connected to all manner of medical equipment, both human and altean, Allura standing by the sleeping patient.  Pidge acknowledged him with a wave then went straight back to what she was doing, fine tuning one screen of differing waves of activity, one stronger than the rest.

‘That’s it.’  She looked to Allura.  ‘The other is a baseline comparison to yours, this one is the altean’s activity, it’s barely registering.’

‘You’ll be able to see if what I do changes things.’  Allura nodded.  ‘Then I don’t see any point in waiting any longer.  Ready?’

‘Ready.’

Allura rested her palm on the altean’s forehead, feeling that which was an intrinsic part of her connect them.  She searched through the flow of life that sustained the altean, following its circulation until she reached what she sought; the blockage, a dam of raw quintessence that slowed anything more than the limited flow that kept her basic functions working.  Allura knew that to try and destroy it may cause it to retaliate, try and fight back or leave its host all together, seeking another and destroying this innocent life in its wake.  She had considered this a lot over the last few days and her tactic was to take things slow.

‘It knows you’re there.’  Pidge’s voice echoed somewhere in the background of her consciousness.

‘As long as it is only aware then it will be fine.  It’s if it begins to try and fight back we may have a problem.’

To Pidge, Allura’s voice sounded distant and detached, but she still didn’t take her eyes from the screen, knowing this was imperative.  She was Allura’s first line of defence if anything changed.

‘It’s steady but…wary, almost.’

‘Thank you.’  Allura replied before continuing.  Her plan was not to fight this thing, it was to slowly, so slowly that it may not be noticed, drain off the quintessence until the altean’s natural self could flow freely, overpowering the blockage as soon as it was weak enough.

The thing unravelled slowly, like a ball of yarn slowly pulled upon, a delicate thread being released so gradually that it was imperceptible to anyone but Allura.  Even Pidge’s equipment didn’t recognise the change, the gentle ebb and flow of the three traces she watched steady.

The altean’s own flow began to make process, seeping through weak spots, like the sea breaking down a sand castle at high tide.  Small gaps were filled quickly, the pulse of life greatening with each passing tick.

‘Something’s happening.  Something positive.’  Pidge’s voice was quiet as she watched the waves of the altean grow stronger, that of the mass decreasing, beating faster like a panicked heartbeat, thready and irregular, diminishing as the other grew stronger.  ‘It’s working, definitely working.’  She said excitedly.

Allura didn’t need telling, she could feel it, almost so clearly she felt she could see it.  She merely nodded, even though Pidge wasn’t looking, she was grateful her efforts were working.  One final draw on that string and the quintessence poofed from existence as though it had never been there in the first place, the area filling with that of the altean’s essence, and Allura sighed with relief, cutting herself off and staggering back, but Pidge was there, already moving out of her chair and pushing it behind Allura to catch her, even as Keith came rushing through the door.

‘I gotcha.’  Pidge urged her down with one hand while holding the chair still with the other.  ‘You did it, Princess!  It worked!’

Allura nodded tiredly.  ‘It did.  Now I suppose we just have to wait and see how long before she wakes up.’

‘It could take a while.’  Pidge smiled at Keith when he came up to Allura’s other side to steady her.  ‘Her body is so weak, and her muscles have seen a lot of wastage for how long they were being controlled.  Sustained, sure, but not used.  All we can do is get the medics to keep a twenty-four hour check on her and call us when something changes.’

‘And hopefully now we can get a better grasp on if she has any physical problems caused by the extra quintessence that they may have missed before due to its presence.’

Suddenly a sharp, raspy gasp drew their attention to the bed.  The altean’s eyes were wide open, her mouth too in a silent scream that rattled through her chest due to not being used.  Pidge and Keith helped stabilise Allura to allow her to stand again, but the altean ignored them, staring straight up at the ceiling, her mouth working a few times as her throat bobbed with the effort to try and speak.  Pidge made sure Keith held Allura and quickly ran around the bed and grabbed a water pouch, piercing it with the straw and bringing it back, resting the straw on the altean’s lips and squeezing gently until a slow trickle entered her mouth.  She closed her eyes, grateful for the gesture, and after managing to take a few sips she searched the room with her eyes alone, and one word fell from her lips, a word that had the paladins freeze in shock.

‘Honerva!’

Notes:

Coming up! The altean is, understandably, traumatised!

Chapter 104: Luka

Summary:

The altean talks

Notes:

Okay, peeps, remember, I created this idea before season 8 came out so there are some differences but this was the way it went in my head before it was released, so just accept that I've played fast and loose with cannon over this fic!!!

Fun times here in Great Yarmouth! My bro, his gf, and my niece came to visit! We've done some shopping, had some chips, my bro got shit on by a seagul, then all but my eldest and mum and me went down to paddle in the sea, got oaked fully dressed, we hit the arcades and won four capybara with a backpack keychains (nice big floofy ones!), and now everyone but me and Rhi-Rhi have gone to the beach! Boo wants a swim, even though it's not that warm, but she has a new swimsuit she's itching to try out! that and she's always been solar powered! So the clouds won't stop her!

Oh, also, only I could dislocate my shoulder buying a new handbag...

‘What?’  Allura gasped, unable to believe what she had just heard, and it drew the altean’s attention.  She tried to scream, a hoarse wail that didn’t travel far, but she tried to retreat off the bed, scrambling towards Pidge on the opposite side for some sort of protection.  Her limbs protested, struggling to move, causing pain at such an effort, but they grasped at Pidge, flailing as Pidge wrapped her arms around her protectively, helping as much as she could.

‘I got this.’  She assured them as the altean continued to try and scream and get away from her friends on the far side of the bed.

‘Come on, Allura.’  Keith encouraged her to the door, looking back as they went.  ‘If you need me, you shout, okay?’

‘Okay.’  She nodded, the altean now crying against her.  ‘Can you get some of the medics, but get them to wait outside until I say it’s okay?’

He nodded, giving her a soft smile.  ‘I’ll be right back.’

Pidge directed her full attention to the altean and patted her back awkwardly.  ‘It’s okay, they’re gone.’

The altean peeked anxiously over her shoulder, a shuddering sigh leaving her body as she slumped against Pidge, the adrenaline she had had running through her subsiding with it.

‘If you lay back on the bed I can sit the back up, make you more comfortable, if that’s okay?’

She nodded and moved back cautiously, allowing Pidge to help her lay down again and then adjust the bed.

‘That wasn’t so bad, was it?  My name’s Pidge, by the way.’

‘L…L…Luka.’  She finally managed and Pidge handed her the water pouch, steadying it in her shaking hands.

‘Good to meet you, Luka.  I’m sure you have a lot of questions, we do too, but for now it’s important we make sure you’re stable, medically, and able to do so without risk to your health.  Do you mind if I bring the doctors in when they get here?’

She shook her head, her eyes taking them in before landing back on Pidge.  ‘Will you stay?’

‘Sure, if that’s what you want.  Just know you’re safe here, no matter who or what it was that scared you, you’re in no danger.’

The fear in her eyes intensified, enough that Pidge felt her encouraging smile fade on her lips.  ‘If you are saying that, you know nothing about the Great Destroyer.’

Pidge realised she had heard the term before, from Romelle, and it couldn’t be a good thing.  ‘You’re from Oriande?’

‘You know of it?’  Luka coughed slightly.

‘I’ve heard of it.  But you should rest.  You see that guy out there?  That’s, well, he’s one of my colleagues but also my boyfriend.  Can you hang tight while I go speak to him for two doboshes?’

Luka shifted nervously.  ‘Will you stay where I can see you?’

‘I won’t move from that window.’  She held out her little finger and Luka stared at it curiously.  ‘Oh, it’s an unbreakable pact here, a pinky promise.  You link your little finger with mine and that marks it as sacred.’

Luka raised her hand and entwined her finger with Pidge’s.  ‘Thank you for this most honoured of pacts.  I pinky promise I will wait here for you so long as you hold up to your side of the bargain.’

‘You got it.’  Pidge patted her hand and left the room, casting glances back, just in case Luka tried to follow her.

‘Did you get anything from her?’  Keith asked, Allura sitting on a bench seat just behind him.

‘Her name is Luka and she’s from Oriande.’  Pidge looked pointedly at Allura.  ‘You know what that means?’

‘It means she was indoctrinated by Lotor and then Honerva.’  Allura nodded.  ‘And somehow used to battery power their mech.’

‘Exactly.  We found no trace of any tracking device when we had the medics do all their tests and scans, so I think we’re out of those woods, but we just walked into another where we’re her bogeyman.’

‘What woods and what is a bogeyman?’  Allura looked alarmed.

‘Oh damn, it’s just an expression.  It means we solved one problem but found another.  And the bogeyman is, do altean’s have a creature that children are inherently scared of with no real reason?’

‘The only thing our children feared was Zarkon, when he turned.’

‘Okay, then I’ll let Keith try and explain it.  She seems to trust me and wants me to go straight back.  And she’s going to allow medics to check her over.  So long as I’m there.’

‘It’s progress.  I will take it.’  Allura smiled weakly.  ‘I’ll ensure the medical team are aware they are not to ask her anything other than how she feels.  We can’t risk triggering anything that might put her in distress.’

‘And I’ll try talk to her about…things.  But subtly.  Maybe talk us up a bit.  But nothing earth shattering.’

‘Very well.  Thank you, Pidge, I could not have done this without you.’

Pidge waved a dismissive hand.  ‘It’s all good, it’s the least I could do when she has been laying here for so long.  I’d better head back in.’

‘Good luck.’  Allura said, but Keith caught Pidge’s arm before she got even a step.

‘Just be careful, okay?  The quintessence may be gone but we don’t know what she might be capable of.’

‘In her physical state, nothing a small dose of green bayard couldn’t stop.’  Her smile assured him and he bent his head, kissing her softly.

‘Go to it.’

‘I’m one step ahead of you.’  She took one big step then normal ones, back to the door and inside.

Keith folded his arms and watched as the altean sighed in relief and watched Pidge as she walked closer, wondering if this would go smoothly.

Notes:

Up next! Pidge and Luka talk.

Chapter 105: Late Night Truths

Summary:

Pidge gently educates Luka

Notes:

No real news yet today! Still sitting in the caravan on my head pad enjoying what little relief it offers! Then later off shopping and Pizza Hut for dinner! Yum! I love their gluten free bbq veggie supreme!

Keith had sent Allura to her room to rest just before midnight and now sat on the bench seat, fighting sleep but refusing to give into it while Pidge still sat with the altean, this Luka.  The doctors had cleared her medically of any ill effects from her time unconscious other than being weak physically, and rebuilding that strength would take time.  He had brought Pidge food when Luka got hers so they could eat together, but it was obviously an alien experience for her having gone without for so long.  Pidge had encouraged her though, even sitting on the bottom of the bed crosslegged and letting her try her food to see which she preferred.  Now Pidge sat in the swivel chair beside the bed where Luka slept. Her body was slumped to one side, her cheek resting on her forearm that lay on the bed, holding Luka’s hand reassuringly.  Keith’s head nodded again, jerking upright and blinking as he rubbed his hand over his eyes, trying to banish the sleepy feeling.  He decided to walk down the corridor to the vending machine.  Maybe some cheap, bad coffee would wake him up.

Pidge jolted awake at a piercing scream from beside her and jumped to her feet, only remembering where she was when the hand anchoring hers jerked her back.  Luka was sitting upright, her chest heaving in sharp breaths, tears streaming down her pale cheeks as she panted heavily.

‘Hey, hey, it’s okay, you’re safe.’  Pidge nudged the chair out of the way with her hip and sat on the bed beside Luka, encouraging her to lay back.  ‘I’m here, you’re good.’

Luka gripped onto Pidge’s forearms, her wide eyes terrified.  ‘I saw…I saw…’

‘Don’t think about it, just catch your breath, okay?’

The door crashed open as Keith flew through it.  He had his bayard in one hand, glancing around the room and finding no threat, but the sudden intrusion had Luka backpedal up the bed, Pidge trying to split her attention between both of them.

‘It’s okay, remember, he’s with me!’  She spoke rapidly then turned back to Keith.  ‘Just a bad dream.’

He let out a sigh of relief and dismissed his bayard.  ‘Alright.  I was getting a coffee.  You want one?’

‘Coffee would be good.’  She smiled, grateful for him trusting her enough to leave her after what had to be a scare for all of them.  ‘Bring two.  Lots of sugar packets and creamer.’

‘All for you?’  He gave her a small smile that melted her heart.

‘We’ll see.’

He nodded and left again, Pidge turning her attention back to Luka.  ‘Do you want to try and go back to sleep, or stay up for a while?  I have my laptop, I can…I don’t know if you have movies and TV shows or even if you know what that is, but I can put something on to entertain us, or something.  Play a game.  Even just talk.  It’s your choice.’

Luka nodded, sighing deeply.  ‘Something, to distract me, would be nice.’

Pidge rearranged the bed and helped her get comfortable before fetching her laptop.  ‘Actually, I have an idea, if you’ll humour me for a bit?’

Luka nodded so Pidge went about setting up a playlist of easy listening songs and searching for as many different artworks as she could find.  She sat in the chair beside Luka and set the laptop so they could both see it.  ‘We have a ridiculous amount of art forms on Earth.  Hundreds of art techniques, musicians, writers, poets, the list goes on.  It’s part of our history, our culture, and goes back centuries in some cases.  My family though are all scientists.  My mom is a botanist, she’s got so much green in her fingers it’s almost supernatural.  She can save any plant, no matter how far gone, propagate it, everything.  Dad is a senior science officer with the garrison.  I know that’s why Matt, my brother, and I love science so much.  We were raised with scientific discoveries being dinner table discussions, and it was Dad and Matt’s abduction by the Galra that dragged Earth into this intergalactic war.’  She felt Luka’s eyes move to her, but didn’t look away from the screen, instead she drew one foot onto the chair and wrapped her arms around her knee and hugged it close.  ‘The Galra were going systematically from system to system, taking over planets, enslaving anyone they deemed useful, and this was their first trip into the Milky Way.  Long story short, really long story, really incredibly short, I ended up in space looking for them, because no one here would admit what had happened.’

‘How did you get to space?’  Luka asked hesitantly.

Pidge shook her head.  ‘I have to tell you some other things first, you aren’t going to like it, but you need to hear it.’

‘If I need to hear it, I will.’

Pidge looked at her, finding her expression one of resolve.  ‘Apart from Allura, the rest of Voltron’s paladins, the lion’s pilots, are all human, from Earth, my planet.  Every one of them ended up in the same place at the same time through so many coincidences you can’t help but think that some greater power arranged it.  But I don’t want you to think that makes us enemies.  If what I know about Oriande is true, I think you were part of a bigger plot, separate from that of Zarkon, but still related, still opposing the rest of the galaxies.  And that’s not your fault, but I want us to be able to have an open discussion and then you can make your decision an informed one, with all the information at hand.’  She turned back to her laptop and closed the art, stopped the music.  Instead she played footage of the damage Zarkon had caused, the destruction, the desolation.  As it played she explained Zarkon’s plot, the corruption from the quintessence, everything in great detail, aware of Luka sitting forward as she spoke, watching the images that played, the remnants of planets and civilisations, refugees, so many displaced by one man’s crazed ideal.

‘Lotor branched off from his father’s path, coming up with his own warped plan.  And you were part of that.’

They sat in silence for several minutes, Pidge fearing how Luka may be taking this news but also not wanting to interrupt her when she may be mulling the information, taking in what she could from the video footage.

‘You’re saying Lotor, and Honerva, were wrong?’  She spat the words.  ‘That my whole life was a lie?  Everything I grew up knowing, everyone I knew…’  she dropped her head into her hands and didn’t so much scream as growled into them, a feral noise of frustration and anger.  Pidge just hoped it wasn’t aimed at her.

‘Screaming into your pillow might help.  It muffles the sound if nothing else.’

‘Why are you showing me this?  Why are you trying to…to…to take everything away from me?’

Pidge paused the laptop then turned in the chair to face her.  ‘I can’t say that you trust me, I wouldn’t trust me, if I were in your position, but after all this, I want to show you all the good that has come during this time.  I want to show you that it hasn’t all been war, that there is still good, that there are those who have fought to bring peace, to stop those who would just take and take from anyone, not caring who they hurt or what colonies, what planets, they destroyed in their wake, as long as they got what they wanted.  Complete domination and subjugation.  An alliance was formed to stop this, a coalition built of so many worlds, rebels, anyone who stood against losing their way of life, anyone who believed in freewill.  Will you allow me to show you the good that came after this destruction?’  She held out her hand, hoping Luka would take it, or at least not reject it entirely.

Luka stared at Pidge’s hand, as though it might lash out and strike her, though she had known nothing but kindness from it so far, she was wary, but she was also willing to take the risk.  Her hand moved forward, resting her palm against Pidge’s before curving her fingers around and holding on solidly.  ‘I know there is some point you are trying to get to, and I know you do not want me to judge until I have seen all the evidence.  It is hard to hear, but I will listen.’

Pidge gave her a grateful smile.  ‘Thank you.’  She pulled the laptop over and ran some more footage, that of celebrations across the allied planets, battles being won, not military trained troops, but by normal people, standing side by side with those Luka believed were the enemy, were the corruptors, the Great Destroyer.  All this footage, Voltron, defending the innocent, sometimes to their own detriment, returning planets to their own rule instead of that forcibly instated by the Galra.  The celebrations on their liberation, helping them rebuild, Voltron stood strong throughout it all, a symbol of life, of hope, of all that could be, once evil was eradicated.  There stood Princess Allura, in the distance behind her, the five paladins, their different armours aligning with that of their lions.

‘That’s me.’  Pidge pointed to the blurry green form in the background.  ‘I get to pilot the green lion.  And I got to save my dad, and my brother, and the whole planet I came from.  And I made so many friends along the way, saved so many lives.  Fell in love.’  She paused for a moment and Luka squeezed her hand, encouraging her to continue, and she laughed, though it sounded sad.  ‘Your Great Destroyer?  The Voltron Coalition calls it the Legendary Defender.  Because that’s what we do.  We defend people who need it.  We help anyone who needs it.  Which is why we’ve been taking care of you ever since your mech went down.  It’s why Allura has spent every spare minute she has down here, hoping for any change, because you’re one of her people, even if you don’t want to be.  It’s why I’ve spent hours and hours the last week, searching for ways to help you, wanting you to wake up, wanting you to see how good things are now that the Galra aren’t in power, threatening everyone.  That you don’t need to fight any more.  You don’t need to pick a side.  Just accept that there’s peace, and wherever you go, no one will force you to take a side in an intergalactic war ever again, because we won’t let that happen.  You get to be free.  Everyone does.  And if anyone wants to argue and cause trouble, Voltron will be there to mediate until there’s no other choice.’

‘If this is such a good thing, why do you sound so sad?’  Luka asked, and Pidge looked back at her, realising that was exactly how she sounded.

‘Because…’ she sighed.  ‘Because this is nothing like what you’ve been told is the truth, and after all the time I’ve spent hoping to help you, I don’t want you to hate us.  I don’t want thanking either, I don’t need gratitude, I just want you to think things over, now you know both sides.  What you were told by them, and what I’ve told you now.’

‘It is always good to have both sides of a story.’  Luka admitted.  ‘But this will take some consideration, some time.’

‘I get that.’  Pidge nodded.  ‘But let’s make this official first.’  She held her hand out to Luka.  ‘I’m Katie Holt, my friends call me Pidge, like, everyone.  Only Mom and Dad call me Katie, especially when I’m in trouble.’  She put Luka’s hand in hers and shook it.  ‘Earth greeting.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

Luka gave her a look of curious amusement, as though she could not fathom why this Earth creature was giving her a fresh start, after all, they were technically enemies, but if what Pidge had said was true, then she was not imprisoned, she was not considered an enemy, more a casualty of war, a victim of oppression.  Pidge was sad that she might not accept their help, even after all the effort she had made to make sure she knew she was safe, how she had not yelled at her that her way of thinking was wrong.  She had presented evidence and, while biased, did not point the finger, did not blame, but encouraged an open discussion.  It was so different from the single minded way things had been on Oriande, and she honestly felt no deception from Pidge, she had been nothing but kind, encouraging, and seemed very concerned for her health.  She hated that everything she thought she knew could be a lie, but she hated the fact that part of her believed Pidge was right even more.

‘I am Luka of Oriande.’  She replied.  ‘It is an honour to meet you, Katie Holt, Pidge, Paladin of Voltron, and resident of Earth.’

Pidge quirked a sideways smile, glad Luka had taken her introduction, be it late, with good humour.  ‘So, Keith, he’s the black paladin boyfriend guy, he’s getting us one of the worst drinks known on this planet, but we’ll drink it and try and improve it as we talk, if that’s okay?’

‘It’s the worst drink on your planet?’  Luka wrinkled her nose.

‘Okay, not the worst, it’s the most popular drink, made badly, from a cheap machine that is convenient.  It also has an addictive quality and contains a natural stimulant, hence it’s addictiveness.  But you can add cream and sugar to make it milder and sweeter.  Trust me, it’s a whole thing, and once we’ve had this, the next coffee you have will be a million times better.’

‘Coffee?  That’s its name?’

‘Coffee.  It comes in so many forms and is a nectar from any deity you choose to worship early in the morning when you’re meant to be functioning but only had three hours sleep after staying up all night expending your brain creating a relay for a space lion to save an extra .54 nanoticks on take off.’  She looked up to find Luka giving her a completely confused look.  ‘Uh, sorry, I’m the tech expert on the team.’

‘She’s more than that.  She’s a genius.’  Keith had come through the door carrying three steaming cups of bad coffee, his pockets crammed with creamer and sugar packets.  ‘She goes from being modest to being so confident in her abilities it’s unreal.’  He put the cups on the table and shook his hands, his fingers tingling from the bad insulation on the cheap cups.  ‘I’ll get out of your hair again in a moment or two, I just need to check something.’

Pidge got to her feet, smiling in a way Luka had not seen her do before.  ‘What do you need?’

‘Just to check in with you.’  He stroked his knuckles over her cheek, a blush chasing them.  ‘You doing okay?  You don’t want anything to eat, or to rest?’

She shook her head.  ‘I’m good.  I was just telling Luka about coffee.’

Keith looked over Pidge’s head to Luka, sitting on her bed and looking decidedly uncomfortable.  ‘Don’t listen to her.  She has her coffee sweet enough that it could give puppy dog eyes and melt the hardest of hearts.  Enjoy it, but in moderation.’

‘Moderation is for weaklings.’  She puffed herself up.  ‘All or nothing!’

‘Okay, calm down, my little lioness.’  Keith patted her head.  ‘I’ll be outside if you need me.’  And he tried to head back towards the door, but was stopped by his uniform jacket being tugged on.

‘Nuh uh.’  Pidge pulled at him, then closed her eyes and pouted exaggeratedly, making him laugh.

‘I wasn’t sure if you’d want to do that, with an audience.’  He replied as he came back towards her.

‘Just keep it innocent and we’ll be good.’  She said, still pouting.

He leant down and gave her a quick peck on the lips.  ‘I’ll see you soon.  I hope you’re doing okay, Luka.’  Keith nodded to her then, grabbing his coffee, went back out to the corridor seating.

‘Coffee!’  Pidge did an excited little dance over to the cups, transferred them to a table on wheels that slid up to the bed, and then dropped all the creamer and sugars on the top.  ‘It will be really hot, if I know vending machines, so let’s just get those lids off and start cooling them down.’

‘You can prepare yours as you prefer, you do not have to wait for me to test mine.’  Luka said as Pidge took her seat.

‘I’m not going to let you suffer alone.’  She gave a small smile.  ‘And we can talk while we have our little game of test your coffee tastebuds.’

‘If you’re sure.  Though it does seem silly to make you do this when you know how you prefer yours, and that it is, apparently much sweeter than the base.’

‘Oh, you do have a point.’  Pidge thought for a second.  ‘Okay, how about I make mine up, you can try both, and you can see which end of the spectrum you prefer?  That way we can have some idea of which way on the scale you’re leaning.  It will speed up the process if you know you like it similar to me or closer to the black sludge Keith likes.’

‘You are not winning me over with that description.’

‘He just takes it the opposite to me.  I like mine sweet and creamy, almost like a dessert, he prefers his straight up.  I don’t even know if it’s a taste thing or he is just cutting out the middle man of bothering with taste to just get the caffeine in him.’

Luka laughed, properly laughed for the first time since she woke up, and Pidge hoped that if she could get her to have a momentary tick of joy, perhaps there was hope for her to get over her fear of the Great Destroyer and see things from their point of view.

Notes:

Coming up! Liliana gets a text!

Chapter 106: Breakfast With Two Paladins

Summary:

Liliana and the mysterious text message

Notes:

Hey all! Well, there's just one thing on my mind this morning, and it's the amazing GCSE results my Boo got yesterday! For anyone not from the UK, GCSE's are the end of school exams that will give you your first step out of school and into higher education or an apprenticeship. Boo has applied to college for health and social care, music, and food tech hoping to go on to study and work as a music therapist! She spent all morning yesterday stressing that she wouldn't get the grades she wanted, that she had failed alllll her exams, only to get even better than she had hoped for! I'm so proud of her!

‘Apparently she stayed there all night.’  Lance and Liliana were seated at a table in the mess hall eating breakfast with Hunk.

‘Just her?’  Hunk asked from his seat opposite them as Liliana shook her head worriedly.

‘Keith is still there with her, but neither of them have had any actual decent sleep.  He sent Allura to bed and stayed there outside the hospital room.’

‘And the altean won’t let anyone else in there?’

‘She’s jumpy.’  Lance shrugged.  ‘Turns out she’s from Oriande like Romelle.’

‘Brainwashed by Lotor.’  Hunk nodded his understanding before returning to his food.  ‘Then how come she’s cool with Pidge being there?’

‘I don’t know.  I literally got this third hand from Shiro, who got it from Coran, who got it from Allura.’

‘Pidge and Keith really should be taking the time to rest and take care of themselves.’  Liliana picked up her toast, preparing to take a bite.  ‘It won’t do them any good to exhaust themselves like this.’

‘Talk about burning the candle at both ends.’  Lance snorted.  ‘Those two won’t be able to function, between staying up all night in the infirmary, and all the…personal exploits they’ve been getting up to.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’  Liliana nudged him with her elbow.  ‘I was thinking entirely professional things and about their health!’

‘Same!  They can’t pilot Voltron if they’re numb from the waist down!’

‘You pervert.’  She chuckled, going back to her breakfast.

‘Aww, you like me though.’  He rested his head on her shoulder and looked at her upside down.

‘You’re going to spoil my breakfast.’  She shoved at his head with her shoulder, making him get up even as he laughed.

‘God, you two are cute.’  Hunk smiled.

‘She’s cute.’  Lance replied, taking a sip of his fruit juice.  ‘The cutest.’

‘And far too good for you.’

‘Oh, hell yeah.’  Lance toasted him with his glass.

‘You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not here.’  Liliana looked between them.  ‘And I always thought cute was a description for babies, be they animal or human.  Alien, I can’t confirm as I’ve never met any.’

‘Some are cute.’  Hunk informed her.  ‘But some are creepy.  Like, I don’t care that it’s a newborn, if it has eight legs and more eyes than I can count in one breath, it’s horrifying.’

‘Hunk is our resident scaredy cat.’  Lance offered Liliana one of his strawberries and she gratefully accepted.

‘I think being scared of anything that resembles a spider is a self preservation move, not a matter of being scared.’

‘Oh, you are awesome.’  Hunk grinned.  ‘You’re keeping her around, right?’

Lance and Liliana shared a look.  ‘I want to.’  Lance said hesitantly.

‘But my time as envoy is up.’

‘That doesn’t mean the end of us though, right?’  He looked to her again, knowing they had discussed it just the night before.

‘Not at all.  Plus you have the fastest international craft on the planet, so it’s not really long distance, when you think of it like that.’  Her phone chimed and she unlocked it as she continued speaking.  ‘And even if it was, it would take a lot for me to give him up.  He’s grown on me.’

‘Like mould?’  Hunk asked, so Lance threw a grape at him out his fruit salad.

‘More like an addiction.’  He quirked as Liliana read her message.

‘Huh.’

‘What huh?  Is that a bad huh?’  Lance leaned closer but didn’t look at her screen, not wanting to encroach on her personal matters.

‘No, just a different huh.  Commander Iverson would like to see me in his office on the hour.’

‘Like, signing you off duty?’  Lance crinkled his nose.

‘Perhaps, he doesn’t say.’  She put her phone down.  ‘I suppose I should get finished with my food so I’m ready on time.’

‘You want me to come with you.’

Hunk snorted a laugh.  ‘You know Iverson won’t go for that.’

‘I can walk her to the door.’

‘I’d love you to.’  Liliana rested her hand on his.  ‘But for now, back to my toast.’

Notes:

Coming up! Liliana meets with Iverson

Chapter 107: Iverson's Offer

Summary:

Liliana meets with Iverson

Notes:

Just a teeny chapter for today!

Liliana knocked politely on Iverson’s door at precisely the time he had requested, and the door swished open to reveal the commander at his desk, the office as neat and well presented as the man himself.

‘Come in, Miss Cooper.  Take a seat.’  He waved to one of the two chairs opposite and she entered, the door silently closing behind her.

‘You wanted to see me, Commander?’  She sat elegantly, legs crossed at the ankle, hands folded in her lap.

‘While you have been on this tour, I have been looking over your record.’

‘My…record?’  She asked in confusion.  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t quite know what you’re referring to.’

Iverson huffed a small laugh.  ‘As a civilian, I don’t suppose you do.  I mean your training.  Your education and employment history.  It’s impressive.’  He showed her his data pad where, as he has said, her whole life was on display.  She wasn’t worried, she had had to submit it all to apply for the position of envoy, but she was intrigued as to what he might be looking for.

‘Thank you.’  She smiled, trying not to let her curiosity show on her face.

‘And in particular, your linguistic skills have caught my eye.  We at the Galaxy Garrison are always looking for unique individuals to add to our ranks, and I think you would prove a valuable asset.’

‘I’m flattered.  But I’m not looking for a career in the military, sir.’

Iverson sat back and laced his fingers in front of him, his elbows on the arms of his chair.  ‘Then it’s a good thing for you I don’t plan on signing you up.  What I would like is to offer you a civilian contract.’

‘A civilian contract?’  She repeated, not sure she understood.

‘Exactly.  If you have no position lined up for directly after the envoy contract ends, I want you to consider joining us in our linguistics division.  We have a great deal of alien languages that need translating not only to something we understand, but also for different nations around our own planet to understand.  It offers the chance to travel, both internationally and interstellarly, working with foreign and domestic officials to enable accurate communication with all our new allies.’

Liliana blinked at him several times, not quite believing what she was hearing.  ‘Sir, are you offering me a job where I would space travel?’

‘Most definitely.  It’s an essential part of the job, and if you have a problem with that you should speak up now.  It will be expected.’

‘That’s…uh…’  she swallowed.  ‘That’s quite an offer.’

He tapped on his data pad a few times before answering.  ‘I just sent you the full offer.  Take a few days to think it over.’

‘I will.’  She got to her feet as he did, shaking his hand as he offered it.  ‘Thank you, this sounds like an amazing opportunity.’

‘It is.  I look forward to your decision.’

She left the room and stood in the brightly lit corridor, looking at the received document on her phone.  ‘So do I.’  She murmured to herself, setting off for her room to do some serious reading.

Notes:

Coming up! Pidge is eepy!

Chapter 108: Sleepy Pigeon

Summary:

Keith guides Pidge to bed as she struggles to stay awake

Notes:

Woooooo, well it's been a few days, a few busy days, back from hols, laundry to catch up on, another cheapo movie today, car still isn't fixed, that's a shit show that's ongoing, the house needs an emergency survey of the insulation and cavity walls apparently, the toilet is still leaking and due to be fixed next week, car due repair hopefully Monday, can't drive the hire car because I can't get in it alone, and well, it's been one thing after another! Oh and another med started today so we'll give it a few days and see how my body reacts! But hey, look at me, still smiling and, most importantly, still writing! I didn't get a lot done over the last week, I'll be honest, mostly it's been stealing moments in the car writing on my phone but I just wrote a very sweet chapter that you have to look forward to!

Pidge was utterly exhausted, the kind where your brain was full of cotton balls, your body felt like it was walking through treacle, and it took far too long for anything anyone said to sink in.  Other than dozing in the office chair, she hadn’t slept in nearly thirty-six hours and she could tell.  Her blinks were far too long, her words hard to string into a coherent sentence, and it was only because Keith had an arm around her waist and held one of her hands that she kept moving, leading her down the corridor towards their assigned room from the beginning of the tour.  She was all over the place, listing slightly and losing her footing.  He had never seen her so tired in all their years together.  It was more like guiding a marionette, each of his movements encouraged one of her limbs.  It wasn’t the first time he had put her to bed, but it was the first time he had put her into their bed, which made things a lot easier.  It also meant if she got a second wind he could make her stay in bed instead of working on one of any number of projects she had on the go at any given time.

’S’Luka gon be okey?’  Pidge asked as they reached their assigned room, Keith supporting her one handed while finding the keycard.

‘She’ll be fine.  They have a nurse sitting in with her who has orders to contact me if an emergency should arise.’

‘No, call me.’  She leaned heavily against him and he wasn’t expecting it, staggering to one side before quickly righting them both.

‘If you hear your phone chime you will wake up.  With mine, I can deem if it’s worth you knowing about before you wake up.  Come on.  Bed.’

‘You takin’ me t’bed.’  She giggled, but walked with him regardless.  ‘And I ‘preciate it.  ’Preciate you.  I am soooooeepy.’

‘I can tell.’  He kicked the door closed and guided her to the bed.  ‘Before you sit let me get your pants down.’

‘I now regret being this tired.’  She blinked her eyes wide at his innocent suggestion that had twisted the minute it hit her brain.

‘For pyjamas.’  He gave her an impatient look, knowing full well she was teasing, and hope she would take it the same way.

‘Booooring.’  She started unbuttoning her garrison jacket while Keith did the same to her pants, pulling them off her waist and down to her knees, just in time for everything to go black.

Pidge sat down on the bed and laughed, her jacket over Keith’s head, pulling her vest over her head.  ‘This sleepy little pigeon is going to get herself in trouble if she doesn’t behave.’  He pulled the jacket off his head and dropped it on the floor.  ‘Boots next.’  He unzipped each of them and she fell onto her back as he pulled each one off, sighing at the comfort surrounding her.

Keith got to his feet with her boots and pants in his hands, going about putting them and her jacket away.  ‘Okay, pyjamas next.  Tomorrow you have to take time for breakfast before you head back to the infirmary.  It would probably be a good idea to start introducing the rest of the team for short periods of time.  I can’t be healthy for either of you to have her hyper focused on you alone.  Once that happens the garrison will probably move her to secured boarding out of the infirmary.  It will be less sterile and…’  He looked at Pidge as he turned back, finding her exactly where she had flopped back, feet still on the floor, one arm above her head, sleeping soundly.  He laughed to himself at how beautiful she looked, sprawled on her back, sideways on the bed, in a crop top and her underwear, her face more relaxed than he had seen it in days.

‘Such a hard worker.’  He shook his head and pulled back the covers as much as he was able, then took her arm and pulled her up over his shoulder so he could finish the job.  He laid her down carefully in the pillows then covered her, pressing a kiss to her forehead that made her murmur softly.  ‘You deserve the rest.’  He whispered, lowering the lights just enough that he could find his way around to get himself ready to join her.

Notes:

Next! Yeah, okay, after this, I had to give them soft morning sex!

Chapter 109: Pre-Breakfast Lovin'

Summary:

These two are just horny for one another, okay? I don't control their hormones!

Notes:

I have been so bad at keeping up with writing and posting, this last week, and I'm so sorry! I'm out of routine and trying to get back into it but my mind and body are struggling! Just bear with me and I'm sure I'll figure it out!

Keith had put out a message to the rest of the paladins, including Shiro and Liliana too, to see if they wanted to meet up for breakfast.  The rest of the team was obvious, he wanted their input about introducing the rest of them to Luka, and Pidge liked Liliana, so he thought she might be happy to see her.

He felt Pidge wake, having checked she was still asleep some time ago and settled down into a light doze.  She took in a deep breath, her body flexing and rubbing against his in a way that gave him far too many ideas, most of which rushed south immediately.  When she gave a soft murmur, low in her throat, any thoughts he had of a sweet morning cuddling went out the window in favour of a more…physical kind of affection.  But only if she was receptive.

Keith nuzzled into her neck, nudging the skin with his nose before kissing it softly, trailing butterfly touches to her pulse as he murmured; ‘Good morning.’

‘Mmm, good morning to you too.’  She smiled as she arched her back in response.  ‘Did you sleep okay?’

‘Yeah, full of energy this morning.’  He grinned against her flesh and she giggled.

‘Apparently.’

‘What about you?  How do you feel?’

‘I think you can answer that.’  She rolled onto her side, forcing his lips from her neck before claiming them for herself.  The kiss was long and drawn out, deep tastes and slow movements, making Pidge’s toes tingle and her hands fist in his t-shirt.

‘You do feel pretty good today, but you do everyday.’  Keith murmured as she kissed across his jaw, the stubble tickling her lips as she went.  His fingers trailed over her hip to stroke her rear, her hips canting towards him until they were solidly pressed together.

‘You feel pretty good yourself.’  She replied before nipping at his neck hard enough to make him growl.

‘Then it would a shame to waste this good feeling.’  He rolled on top of her, leaving her no doubt of how pleased he was to wake up with her.

‘Damn right it would.’  She pulled him back into another kiss as she pulled at his shirt encouragingly.

Keith tugged the shirt off his head, his lips immediately finding her collarbone and kissing downwards, rolling back onto his heels and caressing her ribs with his palms.  He slid them upwards until his thumbs slipped under the edge of her crop top, pushing the material with them until she was free, raising her arms to allow him to remove it entirely.

The feel of his tongue circling her nipple had her gasp out, the sensitive nub puckering at the attention that did thing to her she couldn’t describe.  Her hands trailed over his back from his shoulders, feeling every muscle, every scar, her fingers pressing hard into his flesh as he took her breast into his mouth.  Her fingers came up to thread though his mussed up hair, her sigh ending in a small groan that had him draw back and quickly remove her underwear, and then his own.  He lay back down beside her and she rolled to face him as his fingers stroked her jaw, pulling her into a kiss that had her gasping.  His hand tracked back to her hip, around her rear to her thigh, where he pulled her leg over his hip.  This allowed him access to her fully, his fingers twirling through her wetness before drawing it upwards to her sensitive nub.  The murmuring sigh she gave as her head rolled back encouraged Keith, his lips finding her throat as he alternately swirled around and dipped inside her, a slow rhythm that soon drew her to the edge.

‘Please.’  She whined, her eyes meeting his imploringly as his lips nudged at hers, not a kiss, but still more than a simple touch.

‘I’ve got you.’  He whispered, pressing himself against her entrance then returning to teasing her clit as he slowly slid inside her.

The orgasm broke over her as he filled her, her brain misfiring at so many sensations at once.  Pleasure raced through her from her core, setting her nerves tingling and tearing from her throat as a strangled cry that was music to Keith’s ears.  Her body clenched around him, walls fluttering as her nails dug into his shoulders, eyes closed as Keith let her ride him with the smallest of motions.  As her voice died in her throat, he stroked her hair away from her face, kissing her cheeks, her eyes, anywhere he could reach, until she began to come down from her high.  Her lids fluttered open and he stared at her from close up, eyes glassy and unfocused, breathing heavy.

‘How do you know how to undo me so completely?’

He kissed her gently then nudged her nose with his own.  ‘Because I’ve dreamt about you, about this, for a long time.’

Anything else she may have had to say died on her lips as he slowly drew out of her as far as he could, gliding back inside with a sensual motion that had Pidge groaning again in just moments.  For each stroke he kissed her, slow and leisurely, as though he had all day to drive her crazy with such a deliberately unhurried pace.  While he longed to speed up, the pace was somehow more erotic, more elicit, as though raw emotion ruled them rather than lust.  For unending minutes, they lay caught in a sensual rhythm of soft kisses and slow thrusts, until it became too much and Keith rolled her onto her back.  In a modified push-up, he elongated his strokes, Pidge’s arms wrapped around his, her fingers clenching on his biceps as they flexed with every movement.  Her legs wrapped around his back, the angle adding a sharpness to even the gentlest of thrusts, and soon the heat began to spread through Pidge again.  Keith’s control was also waning, fighting himself not to give yet, this new found pace so erotic and emotional he was loathe to ruin it by hastening things unnecessarily.  But he could no longer fight it off, his next two thrusts sharp and hard, as Pidge cried out below him, her thighs squeezing his ribs as her crossed ankles pushed into his lower back, bringing him home inside her.

Their groans mingled in the air like a symphony of indecent sounds that only encouraged their bodies to react more, chasing their peak for moments longer than they expected, then exploding in a firework-like deluge that encompassed them both.

Keith fell onto her, his body exhausted but elated at the same time.  He kissed her like she was something breakable, so fragile and valuable, the most priceless thing in his life.  Her kisses in return were unhurried and drawn out, seeking him as though it were a compulsion, and it was some time before either of them spoke.

‘Keith.’  She murmured, so quietly it was barely audible, but so close he heard and he nuzzled his cheek against hers.

‘Mmm?’  A question but non specific, encouraging her to continue.

‘I love you.’  Whispered into his ear, and he opened his mouth to reply but she continued speaking.  ‘And that means you don’t just have to think about yourself any more.’

‘I never just thought of myself.’  He gave her a puzzled look.

‘That’s not what I meant.’  She replied, carefully untangling her shaking legs and resting her feet bent legged on the bed.  ‘I mean you don’t get to be so selfless any more.’

‘You’re just confusing me, you realise that?  Hold on.’  He shifted onto his side, slipping free of her and pulling her into his arms, covering them with the blanket as goosebumps began to pepper her skin.

‘Okay, fine, to the point it is.’  She blew upwards to get some of her hair out of her eyes and failed miserably.  ‘No more suicide runs, no more throwing your lion and yourself into danger even if it’s for the greater good, if you think it will end things quicker.  I refuse to be a, what’s the term for a war widow when there’s no war and we’re not married?’

He laughed at her exaggerated yet pointed description aimed directly at his past exploits.  ‘Actually, that already crossed my mind.  And if you’re the reason then it’s not even selfish, because it’s for you.’

She jabbed him so sharply in the ribs he expelled a surprised; ‘Oomph!’; as she continued talking.  ‘You’re doing it for us, you dumbass, and if you can’t see that I’m going to have to beat it into you.’

‘Honestly, I can think of worse things than you laying into me.’

‘I didn’t have you pegged as a masochist.’  She gave him a teasing eyebrow, but he quickly quipped back.

‘You didn’t peg me at all…yet.’

She burst out laughing, turning the brightest red he thought he had ever seen.  ‘You filthy bastard!’  They both laughed for some time until being interrupted by her stomach rumbling, having neglected it the day before.

‘Okay, maybe it’s time to start thinking about the other kind of hunger, the kind I need actual sustenance for and not the kind I have for you.’  She kissed him quickly.  ‘Is it okay if I jump in the shower first.’

‘Sure, just don’t slip.’  He released her so she could carefully leave the bed.  ‘Also, I arranged for us to have breakfast with everyone, hope that’s okay?’

‘That’s awesome.  Thank you.’  She leant down to kiss him again, leaning heavily on the bed and nightstand.  ‘How long do I have?’

He glanced over at the clock and threw the covers off himself.  ‘Not as long as I thought we had.  Maybe we should shower together to save time.’  He took her hand and drew her towards the bathroom.

‘We’re just going to shower this time, right?’  She checked as he pulled her along.

‘Maybe just this once.’  He threw a wink back over his shoulder, and quickly had her laughing again.

Notes:

Keith's into that! Who knew?!

Coming up! Breakfast with the gang!

Chapter 110: Breakfast Chatter

Summary:

The og gang and Liliana have breakfast together.

Notes:

Hi all! Good news and bad news kind of day! Good news outweighs though so it's all good! Boo got her start date for college, which is tomorrow, my car definitely works! Boo and I are going out to lunch together to our fave little tearooms with gluten free options for lunch then coming back and gaming some! The bad news is no one came out to fix the damn toilet! How damn long is that now? Over a month? It's being looked into as I type. I chased it up last night and the poor woman on the phone had no idea what was going on other than some genius cancelled the appointment! It is way above her pay grade as it's confusing to say the least, but she was going to have a really good look into it! Fingers crossed we move forward again! Also, waiting on a phone call from the motability peeps who provide my adapted vehicle just to do a progress check up and then I can arrange pick up of the hire car and start the grants process again for my next vehicle as it was a five year lease! phew!

‘So, what’s new in the infirmary?’  Hunk asked as he sat down with his tray.  He had been the last to arrive, to all their surprise, but he had stayed up late writing recipes that combined both Earth and space foods, having taken Liliana’s idea about intergalactic Michelin stars to heart.

‘She’s stable, but you knew that.’  Pidge said as she pushed the scrambled eggs around her plate.  She had wanted to just have a simple bowl of cereal but Keith talked her into having a little protein before she dove into her sugary loops.  ‘And she’s got that whole Lotor and Honerva are cool, Voltron drools thing going on, but she seems open to us not being the devil incarnate, at least.  And she seems to trust me, which helps.’

‘She lets me in the room too now, which is progress.’  Keith tried to put some bacon on Pidge’s plate but she pretended to stab his hand with her fork so he took it back.

‘And she trusted the coffee you brought us.  I didn’t have to taste it first or anything.’

‘It’s so good that she has accepted you.’  Allura’s gratitude was obvious in her tone.  ‘It’s understandable she would be wary, waking after so long in a strange place and then finding me of all people standing over her.  Your quick actions in bringing her water was a very comforting gesture that she truly took to.’

Coran leant into Allura’s side, whispering behind his hand.  ‘Mothering instinct now she’s mated.’

‘Shut up.’  Allura slapped his hand away without taking her eyes off Pidge.  ‘While a small gesture, it was the right thing to do.’

‘Honestly, she just sounded like she was dry from not using her throat in so long, and I know I’d want a drink if it was me.  It wasn’t some trust gaining exercise.’  Pidge told her.  ‘Any one of us could have done it.’

‘And yet it was you.  And look at the rapport you have built with her since.  I had returned by the time you spoke with her about both sides of the story.  Keith told me about the slideshows you showed her, the music, proving that there is more to those piloting Voltron than the destructive rumours she had been fed.  You were open to listening to her side, not interrupting or counter arguing.  And I believe it will be that openness that wins her over to our side.  No one else would have thought to have done what you did as quickly as you did.  I will forever be grateful for that.  For you.’

‘Aw, shut up.’  Pidge bowed her head over her food, not used to praise for anything other than her genius, and this was more a social skill.

‘She means thanks.’  Keith took Pidge’s plate from her as she was obviously done and only playing with her food, sliding her cereal in front of her, which had her brighten up immediately, swapping her fork for her spoon and pouring on the portion of milk.

‘So what’s next?’  Lance asked.  He was sitting on the same side of the table as Pidge and Keith, but on the far right side, Liliana beside him, then Pidge and Keith.

Shiro answered.  ‘We’re trying to arrange secure lodgings for her.  Less of a hospital, not quite a cell, but more comforts.  Still without the freedom of the base, but less sterile.’

‘And what’s the long term goal?’

‘Integrate her into our society, or whichever society she chooses.  She might want to go to any other number of planets, but our aim has to remain short term until we can assure she’s not a threat.’

‘She might also know if any of the komar mechs still exist, if they are still a threat.’  Allura added.  ‘We have to get as much information from her as we can.’

‘We have to keep building up a relationship with her first.  We don’t want her to think we just want her for intel.’  Keith added.

‘I’ll keep at it.’  Pidge said before shovelling in another spoonful of cereal.  ‘I want her to be able to move on from this, in whatever form that takes, but I also don’t want an entire regiment of komar mechs showing up on our doorstep one day asking for their buddy back because we didn’t do a thorough job.’

‘You always do a thorough job.’  Shiro remarked before returning to his granola.

‘Why half ass it when I can do it with my entire ass?’  Pidge picked up her orange juice and glanced to her side, finding Liliana just staring at her plate, obviously not paying attention, but maybe distracted by something.  ‘You okay there, Liliana?’

Liliana seemed to blink out of deep thoughts and gave Pidge an apologetic smile.  ‘I’m sorry, I haven’t really been listening.  What did you say?’

‘I asked if you’re okay.’  Pidge took a sip, regarding her curiously.  ‘But you’re not.’

‘No, really, I am.  I’m just…mulling something over.’

‘I think I know what that might be.’  Shiro said.  ‘You spoke to Iverson?’

‘I did.’  She looked at him, wondering if he was the only one who knew about the offer.

‘And you’re thinking about it?’

‘I think I’ve already decided, I just can’t quite take it in.’  She laughed slightly a wholly unfunny sound that had Pidge worried.

‘What did Iverson say?’  She asked.

‘Do you want to tell them?’  Shiro prompted.

‘I do.  But I think I’m still trying to get my head around the idea and don’t know how.’

Pidge looked around the table where everyone was looking directly at Liliana, as though prompting her.  ‘Does anyone else feel like we’re not here and included in this conversation when we should be?’

Liliana touched her arm, a small smile on her face.  ‘It’s alright, I’ll tell you all now.’  She reached into her pocket and unfolded the offer letter she had printed, spreading it out in front of Lance, as it probably affected him the most.  ‘Iverson has offered me a civilian position in linguistics and as a translator here at the garrison.’

Lance’s head shot around to look at her, away from the official letter.  ‘You’re coming to work with us?’

‘I’m coming to work with the garrison.’

‘And specifically under Atlas, if we need her.’  Shiro stated, tapping the letter on the table where it sat between him and Lance in opposing seats.

‘So if we have to go into space, you come with?’

‘If I’m needed.’  Liliana nodded.  ‘And I’d love to stay on.’

‘Then why think about it?’  Lance turned his body to face her.  ‘We all like you, you are more than qualified, you’d be the perfect fit.’

‘Agreed.’  Pidge backed him up.  ‘You’ve been amazing since you arrived, you know what you do and you’re good at it.  You’re charismatic, empathic, and something else ending in -ic, I can’t think of right now, because all I’m thinking about is how great it would be to have you around all the time.  You have to at least give it a shot.’

Liliana laughed at her enthusiasm.  ‘I definitely want to sign up, I just don’t want to let anyone down.’

‘You’ll be letting yourself down if you don’t.  And that’s who matters.  It’s what you want to do.  And we’ll back you up, whatever your decision.’

Lance tapped her arm to get her attention, and as soon as her eyes were back on him she noticed his concern.  ‘Is the reason you haven’t accepted yet because of us?  Is it holding you back?’

Liliana felt her face fall as she realised what Lance was feeling.  ‘Oh goodness, no!  If anything that just increases the reasons for me to accept it.  I don’t even know what is making me hesitate.  The suddenness of it, perhaps?  The fact I haven’t even been home and I’m talking about staying here, making this my home, and nothing would make me happier.  This experience has been, well, unique to say the least, but it still offers more of things I could never have dreamt of in a million years.  You’re all so lovely, it would be amazing to work with you longer.’

‘And what’s stopping you?’  Shiro asked.  ‘Be honest with us.  What is the one thing that’s making you question your decision?’

She looked around the table at her new friends, some she was only just getting to know, others she knew better, and they all looked hopeful.  She knew they would continue to welcome her with open arms and that made her realise she didn’t understand her hesitation herself.  ‘I don’t know.’  She shook her head.

‘Then here’s an idea.’  Shiro linked his fingers.  ‘Take a few days, a week even, and go home.  Talk it over with your family.  There is no expiry date on this offer.  You choose when you’re ready and know you’re under no pressure.  Iverson just noticed, as have we all, your merits and what a boon you would be to the garrison.  Pidge said it with the charisma thing.  You’re very likeable and managed to keep these three in line under very difficult circumstances that you had no experience with.  I’ll tell Iverson you’re thinking it over, and in the meantime you take your time, go home, go on vacation, whatever you want to do while you consider the offer.  And between you, me, and the entire mess hall, he’s pretty keen to bring you on board.  You could probably name your price.’

‘The offer is more than generous as it is.  I don’t want to take the piss.’

Lance burst out laughing.  ‘Oh that is the most British thing I think I’ve heard you say.’  And he leaned over, kissing her cheek.  ‘But if you do want to go home, I can give you a ride, save you travelling long haul with the great unwashed.  It’ll be quicker and let you have more time with your family.’

‘If that’s really okay.’  She looked between Lance and Shiro, the latter nodding.

‘I’ll make it okay.’

‘Thank you, Shiro.  Thank you everyone.’  She looked around the table as Lance took her hand in his under the table.  ‘I’m pretty sure I’m going to say yes, but it would be nice to let my family know first.’

‘Then the two of you work out your travel plans and let me know.  I’ll clear it.’

The mood at the table was much more cheerful from that point on, discussing their personal experiences as they traveled on the world tour, and it left Liliana wondering just when she had got so lucky.

Notes:

Coming next! Liliana has a question!

Chapter 111: Liliana's Invitation

Summary:

Liliana has a request

Notes:

HI all

Wow, what a week. Shitshow doesn't even begin to cover Thursday, but to cut it down, Boo missed her first bus to college because the timetable was wrong, so I had to drive her, which is incredibly difficult and painful for me, good thing my car is working again! But while going one my 97 year old nan's friends video called me and told me Nan can't get hold of me and sounds a bit out of it. So I start to freak out because I can't drive that far, my sister works full time, my uncle lives hundreds of miles away (rude of him to move that far when his mum still needs him imo, but what do I know), and that leaves me feeling guilty about asking my mum to check on her, because she's been divorced out of that family for 44 years, and is in her 70s as well, but will go if she has to. The obligation and inability hit me like a sledgehammer. She was fine, it turns out, her phone won't hold a charge and she still hasn't got her heating and hot water sorted out for winter but my brother in law is on that case. But it did highlight how useless I am in a situation like this but no one seems to want to take responsibility for when the inevitable does happen. Anyway, that has been the majority of my last few days, with my pain being so awful and my legs going numb, it was like having the weight of the alliance on my shoulders ;)

Other than that! Rhi is back to work, she loves her new class of kids, Boo did great in her first two days of college though is a bit bored during periods where she has no classes. She also didn't eat because the forum where they have lunch was incredibly crowded and she felt anxious. But one of her tutors doesn't mind them eating in class so at least she had somethign yesterday! My mission this weekend is to make sure she has some picky bits she can easily shove in her mouth and not have to worry about sitting down to a meal if she doesn't want to.

Oh, also, new pills seem to have finally kicked in and removed my appetite entirely! Now if it would only lower my blood sugar as well then I'd be mint!

Also also, I haven't been writing much, I'm letting myself have a little relaxed gaming time on Baldur's Gate 3! In act three now so should have that out of my system this week!

Once breakfast was over, Allura went with Pidge and Keith back to the infirmary, Shiro went to speak to Iverson, and Hunk went to find himself a kitchen he could use.  There wasn’t much else he could do to help right now, but he thought he might be able to whip up something tasty for the altean.  If nothing else, he could show her that their food was good.  Meanwhile, Lance and Liliana went for a walk around the outside of the base to talk.

‘I can’t believe you’re really going to be here.  Right here.  At the garrison.’  Lance stated as they held hands and wandered aimlessly.

‘I’m rather surprised myself.  I certainly wasn’t expecting anything like this to happen.’  Liliana admitted.  ‘And I actually wanted to ask you something.’

‘Anything, you know I’ll do whatever you want or need.’  He grinned at her.

‘You are so sweet.’  She squeezed his hand.  ‘You might regret saying that though.’

‘So tell me and I can start proving you wrong.’

She huffed out a sigh to steel herself, and pulled him to a stop.  ‘Would you come with me?’

‘Anywhere you want.  Where are we going?’

She laughed, realising she should have been more specific.  ‘To visit my family.  You don’t have to stay the entire time, but I’d really like to introduce you to them, if you don’t mind.  And I do still owe you that meal at my favourite restaurant.’

‘You don’t even have to ask.’  He smiled broadly.  ‘You survived my family, the least I can do is return the favour.  And the most I can do is convince them that I’m the best boyfriend you ever had.’

‘Thank you.’  She stepped into him and hugged him close, kissing his cheek in a move that took him by surprise.  But his arms quickly wrapped around her waist and held her, revelling in the feel of her so close to him.

‘I don’t need thanking.  I just need a good introduction.  And maybe some information so I can get a head start in impressing them.’

‘You just need to be yourself.  They’ll love you, I promise.’  She leant back enough to see him, smiling gently as his thumbs rubbed up and down on her back.

‘But it doesn’t hurt to guarantee it.  And I do want to impress them.’

‘You’re already a multiple galaxy saving hero.  How much more impressive do you want to be?’  She laughed.

‘I want to be the kind of guy your parents think of as perfect for their little girl.’

‘My sister once brought home an unemployed “rockstar” covered in tattoos and piercings, who rested his booted feet on top of their antique coffee table.  Just use general common sense and manners and they will be delighted.’

‘I will be the best good mannered common sense using boyfriend you have ever seen.’  He promised her.  ‘Do you want to go tomorrow?  We can have everything ready by then, and there’s plenty of room on Red if you want to bring more things back to make this your home away from home.’

‘That would be wonderful.  I’ll contact my parents and have them prepare the guest room for you.’

Lance gave an impressed look.  ‘They have a guest room?’

‘They have a spare room made up for guests, so yes, a guest room.  But don’t expect anything too fancy.  There will be no ensuite, just the family bathroom my sister and I use, and if you’re hungry or thirsty, feel free to help yourself to anything, so long as you ask if anyone else wants anything while you’re up.’

‘Gee, that’s polite.  At my house it was eat or be eaten, if you didn’t get to it first you lost out.  And even if you did get to it, they’d fight you for it.  And as the youngest, I always lost.’

‘That’s so sad.  My poor little Lance.’  She poked his nose with her finger.  ‘Just remember it won’t be like that at my parents’ place.’

‘I might need reminding.’  He pushed past her finger and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

‘I’m sure I can manage that.’  She smiled, succumbing to his kiss.

Notes:

Coming up! Luka gets a new room!

Chapter 112: Luka's New Living Space

Summary:

Luka and Pidge continue to bond as the latter shows her the features of the new accommodation.

Notes:

BIg day today! it's toilet repair day! Finally! Can't wait to not have waste water trickling into my shower drain...Also hire car is finally being collected. This means some sort of normality will resume. The girls are, well, I can't say enjoying, being back in routine. Boo is still anxious about being new to college and especially having to choose her own clothes, as she's had a uniform up until now and is very worried about peer pressure/judgement. I think most of the kids at the college are from her old school so she is already wary about the bullying and teasing from certain parties. I sympathise so much with her situation and I hope she soon gets over what other people think. it was a hard learned lesson for me but I am grateful for it every day! As for Rhi, she loves her new class and is coming home with a smile on her face, which was missing at the end of the last school year!

Sorry, these notes seem to have become a diary/venting place for me as much as anything else! I don't care if no one reads them, honestly, but in a few years I'll come back and reread everything and it's just nice to have it as I am shit at actually keeping a journal lol

‘Well, what do you think?’  Pidge flicked through the channels on the wall mounted TV on Luka’s wall, crosslegged on the bottom of the bed as Luka looked out of the large picture window showing the desert landscape beyond.  ‘I’ll show you how to control the TV, tell you what a TV is, how to order food, all the fun stuff.’

Luka turned and gave her a smile.  ‘I am sure with you instructing me I will soon understand.’

‘And if not, I’ve got you a lot of more traditional literature.’  She hopped off the bed and went to the bookshelf.  ‘There’s everything here from Shakespeare to John Greene, Oscar Wilde to, huh, One Punch Man, apparently.’  She held out the graphic novel.  ‘There’s also some history books, which I recommend ignoring unless you want depressing, because it’s only ever the bad stuff that makes these things anyway.  Wars over religion, leadership, pastry.  Quite a list.’  She shrugged.  ‘You’ve got your mini fridge with drinks and snacks, more of those in the cabinet above it.  Oh, and good coffee.’  She went to the coffee pod machine and posed beside it for a second like a car showroom model.

‘You still have not won me over to the taste of coffee, just the creamer and sugar that goes with it.’  Luka came up beside her.

‘This should be far better than what we had in the infirmary, but if you want a real taste of good coffee, when they give you a bit more freedom, come over to my family home.  We have the best Italian coffee within five hundred miles.’

‘That far?’

‘Well, maybe not, but definitely on the garrison property.’

‘This place is lovely, and much more personal than the infirmary, but it still feels like a prison.  I understand, but it is just a prettier cage.’

‘Yeah.  Not forever though.’  Pidge smiled, hoping to raise her mood.  ‘And I’m hoping I can introduce you to some more of the team, expand your friendship group.’

‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say we will be friends.’  She laughed, her eyes watching Pidge as she showed her how to prepare a coffee.

‘Aw, there was me thinking we were bonding.’  Pidge pulled a face.

‘You have been the closest thing to a friend I have had in a long time.’  Luka admitted.  ‘And I’m grateful for your presence and your kindness.’

‘And I keep telling you it’s what we call human decency.  We literally have that phrase to make the point that you should kind to other people, be a decent person.  And that now extends to other planetary races too.’

Luka sighed.  ‘I still do not entirely trust the company you keep.  But I do trust your judgement.’

‘Here.  Try this one on for size.  I think I mixed it to your preference that we worked out.’  Pidge passed her the cup she had been working on.  ‘And if you do trust my judgement, I want to invite you to dinner with the rest of Voltron.  And I want you to accept.’

Luka blew over the cup, her expression thoughtful.  ‘What would be the purpose of this dinner?’

‘To get to know one another.  That and Hunk has been working on a million recipes incorporating various cultures from across all the galaxies we’ve traversed, and he wants you to feel welcome.’

‘Hunk is the large pilot of the yellow lion, correct?’

‘I mean, yeah, but he’s a lot more than that.  He’s the softest guy you’ll ever meet, a real sweetheart, and his love of cooking is only beaten by love of his friends.  Damn I just sounded like an after school special.’  Pidge shook her head.  ‘But please say you’ll come, because I think it would help you see we’re not some scary ghost story and everyone else to see you’re pretty reasonable too.’

‘I think I’ve been very reasonable.’  She replied, taking Pidge’s gentle teasing in her stride.

‘Yeah, but they don’t know that.  They trust my word, sure, but they want to see it for themselves.’

‘If it means that much to you then fine, I will gladly have dinner with Voltron.’

‘The paladins of Voltron.  Voltron doesn’t actually eat.’  She finished making herself a coffee and took a sip immediately.  ‘Oh, that’s good.’

Luka followed her lead and took a small drink, surprised Pidge could drink it when it was still so hot, but appreciating the different flavour all the same.  ‘This is definitely more palatable than the original coffee you introduced me to.’

‘Told you.’  Pidge smirked knowingly, checking the time on her wrist computer.  ‘Once I’ve drunk this, I have to go.  I need to write a report for an ongoing criminal case.’

‘A criminal case?  You certainly have a lot of different roles you play.’

‘In this case I was the victim.’  She shrugged it off.  ‘But, yeah, they need my official report in writing to go ahead with the prosecution.’

‘Would you like to talk about it?’

Pidge shook her head.  ‘It’s stupid, really, just some sexist pig doing sexist pig things.’

‘And a pig is a farm animal, if I am remembering correctly?’

Pidge snorted on her coffee.  ‘Yeah, it is, but in this case it describes a man who acts badly around women.’

‘A little insulting to the animal that provides you with food, do you not think?’

‘I guess so.  Pigs are smart too.’

‘And yet they let you eat them.’

‘To be fair, they aren’t given much of a choice.  And they aren’t intelligent, just…smart for a farm animal.’

‘Alright.  But just what did this sexist…male animal do to make you the victim?’

‘He…well, to cut it right down, he kept doing a lot of unwanted inappropriate touching, and we don’t stand for that, as a planet or as a military operation.’

‘That’s…disgusting of him.’

‘Agreed.’  Pidge followed her to sit at the two person table near the window.

There they sat for another hour, just talking about features of the room, the books on display, and how to operate the entertainment system, leaving Luka with plenty to keep her busy.

Notes:

Coming up! Lance and Liliana's arrival in England!

Notes:

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