Those blue... blue eyes... Beautiful blue eyes that shimmered as they looked at Keith, even though Keith looked just like their enemy. Keith missed those blue eyes.

It's been three months now. He's heard of battles with his former teammates, but the Galra would stop talking as soon as they noticed him.

Two months previous, he had seen Pidge and helped her get her father, brother, and hundreds of other prisoners break free of the iron fist of the Galra empire.

But, for the past three days, since the last battle, Pidge hasn't responded. The battle must of been terrible because Pidge not responding means she's still in a pod.

Keith hadn't talked to Thace since that first time, and he wasn't sure he'd want to talk to the Galran commander again.

Slowly, Keith slid down the wall until he sat on the floor. Quiznak, he really wanted to look into Lance's eyes again... Last time he saw those eyes, they were full of anger and betrayal.

The device behind his ear buzzed and Keith wanted to collapse in relief. He answered. "Pidge! Hey, Pidge! Are you okay? Is everyone okay? You were in a pod for three days, I was starting to get worried, I-"

"Keith?"

Said teen froze, and gulped. "Sh-Shiro..? What-what are you doing with Pidge's comm?"

Shiro was quiet for a moment. "She's... Been talking to you..? This whole time?"

"Uhm..." Keith wasn't sure if he should respond truthfully. "Y-yes?"

The black paladin's voice deepened. "Why the hell did you leave?"

Keith winced. He's never heard Shiro use that tone before. "I... I had to... If I didn't... They would have killed all of you. That commander... He's the one who shot Lance four months ago. He told me to choose between your deaths and your lives while Lance was dying..."

"... And you didn't tell us?" Shiro's voice softened. "Why didn't you say anything? Why only Pidge?"

"You would have tried to stop me. It would have been harder to leave. I couldn't risk it." Keith bit his lip.

Shiro sighed. "You're Pidge's insider. You helped her free those prisoners, including her father and brother." Keith stayed quiet. Shiro seemed to think for several moments. "We're coming to get you."

"What!?" Keith sat right up, eyes wide. "No! You can't, I-"

"Keith." Shiro sternly cut Keith off. "Tell me what ship you're on, and as soon as everyone's on their feet, we're getting you."

Keith grit his teeth, then his shoulders slumped. "Fine... But only if you tell me why you're going through Pidge's shit."

Shiro chuckled softly. "Alright."

~

Apparently, it took almost four weeks for everyone to get back on their feet. Over the four weeks, Keith spoke to Pidge and Shiro, discussing battle plans and Pidge would bring up a party. Pidge started answering him while she was with the others because they now knew, but Keith would only hear Lance in the distance. Keith would hear his voice, but couldn't make out words.

Whenever Keith asked how Lance was whenever Pidge was alone, she'd go quiet before saying something vague like, "he's fine" or "he's being Lance."

This irritated Keith and he'd press for a moment for answers, but he would stop if someone came in or when he realized he upset the younger paladin. "I'm sorry... I should stop asking," Keith murmured, sighing softly. "I should ask... How's your father and brother?"

He could almost see the way the small paladin lit up. "They're great! They're doing so good! They're eating and sleeping and building with me! They're excited to meet you. I may have accidentally told them about you being Thace's son in one of my rambles and dad got super excited because he remembers Thace and he's really wanting to meet you. Also, Matt's been piloting Red for you, keeping her warmed up and ready for battle for when we get you back. I was kinda surprised that she like him and accepted him- not as her paladin, of course- but he loves piloting her and she doesn't seem to mind, but she totally missed you, and we still can't form Voltron because it's not you piloting her- we've tried, please don't ask. They got used to the food goo really fast compared to us, but that's probably due to already having eaten strange space food for a long period of time, and they know a lot about alien tech, it's wicked-"

"If I don't interrupt right now, I'm afraid you'll never shut up." Keith chuckled and Pidge snorted.

"Your fault. You got me started." Keith nodded, carding his fingers through his hair. "Anyway, we should reach your ship in a matter of hours, now. Get your suit on and get that flat ass prepared to kick furry Galra ass."

"I've actually been doing squats-"

"I'm going to stop you right there, Mr. Black Parade."

"I... Don't understand that insult..."

"Keith... Buddy... I have got so much to teach you when we get back to Earth."

~

The ship groaned and trembled, lions and a ship blasting the transportation to bits.

Keith dodged and sliced sentries and Galran guards as he dashed through up to the control room.

"Traitor!" Kigor sneered as he pulled out a blade.

Keith smirked. "Actually, I have been on Team Voltron this whole time."

Kigor barked and lunged forward. Keith easily parried Kigor and thrust his bayard into the large Galran's abdomen. Kigor groaned as he fell to the floor. Keith took his helmet from Kigor's dash and pulled it on over his head and ears.

"Everyone here?"

Pidge whooped happily and Shiro chuckled. Hunk wailed and babbled, asking Keith what foods he was forced to eat and what he'd want when he was back on the castle-ship.

Lance was silent.

Keith just wanted to look into those eyes again.

Quickly, Keith darted out of the control room and down several halls. "Who's coming in to pick me up? I'm heading towards bay seven!"

"Make it bay nine!" Lance called back. "I'll meet you there."

Keith wanted to sob in relief. Lance spoke to him. Willingly and directly. Keith made a sharp turn and accidentally tumbled down a flight of stairs. He cursed, but got right back up to hurry to bay nine.

Blasting noises sounded at the end of the hallway, so Keith ran closer. A sentry flew from the hallway Keith nearly turned to. Keith stepped into the mouth of the hallway and froze up. "Lance..."

Said paladin looked up, panting softly. His shoulders sagged as he took a step forward. "Quiznak, Keith."

Keith tore off his helmet. He'd hoped Lance would do the same, but the blue paladin was frozen in place. Keith hesitantly shuffled forward before bursting into a run and launching himself onto Lance. "Lance! Lance, I'm so sorry!"

Lance was tentative at first, then tightly wrapped his arms around the smaller paladin. "Shut up, Keith." Lance squeezed Keith, the red paladin tucking his head into Lance's shoulder. "I just want you back. Don't apologize." Keith nodded, but didn't want to release Lance. He breathed in Lance's wonderful scent, basking in his warmth.

A blast pulled them apart, bringing their attention to their surroundings.

"Fuck! Keith, get in Blue!" Lance yanked out his bayard and aimed.

Keith paused, then nodded. "Be careful." He turned heal and ran to Blue.

~

As soon as Lance was back in his lion, he pulled back on the levers to jerk Blue away from the Galra ship. "Hold on to something!" Lance shouted, but Keith didn't have time to react as the ship exploded. Damn. Good thing he grabbed his helmet on the way out.

Once Blue stopped shaking from the blast and flew smoothly, Keith got to his unsteady feet. He came up behind Lance and wrapped his arms around Lance's shoulders. "I missed you..."

Lance chuckled softly. "Never thought I'd hear you say that."

"Why? Because you never thought we'd be together?"

"No, because we live in the same Castle-ship."

Keith smiled. "Yeah..."

Lance easily landed Blue in the Hanger. "Alright. Go hug everyone else. Hunk has been thinking what to make you for the past month." Lance stretched and stood.

"Let me hug you first." Keith muttered, slipping his arms around Lance's torso. Lance hummed, gently squeezing Keith. "I wanted to see you. Why didn't you talk to me?"

Lance sighed. "I... Wanted to talk to you face-to-face... Keith, I..." Lance pulled away, eyes down. Keith furrowed his brows and tilted his head. "I have to show you something..."

"What?" Keith placed his hands on Lance's chest and leaned closer. "What's wrong?" Lance gulped and looked away. Keith noticed something off about Lance's left eye. "Lance?"

The blue paladin clenched his jaw and raised his hands to place on either side of his helmet. Lance sucked in a deep breath and raised his helmet. Keith's eyes widened as Lance's eye changed. A bandage wrapped around Lance's head and covered Lance's left eye.

"I'm, uh... Not going to be able to see anything to the left anymore."