Shidge(added Klance)
Y'all know what this is

Lance groaned as he woke, rolling over. He tossed his arm over Keith's waist. "Babe..."

Keith whined and pushed Lance off. "Lance, Hikaru kept me up all night. I'm not-" He suddenly paused, then sat straight up. "Uhm... Where's Hikaru?"

The blue paladin groaned as he sat up. "Wha?" Lance raised his hand and pointed. "He should be in his-" Lance looked over into the makeshift crib. He stared for as second, then gasped, wideeyed, and flung himself over Keith and out of the bed. "Shit, shit! Shiro's gonna kill us!"

"Us!?" Keith shouted, tossing the sheets and leaping out of bed. "He's going to kill you!"

Lance bolted out of the room, Keith behind him. "Hika! Hika, bubba, where are you?" Lance trotted down the hall as quietly as he could as to not wake the other paladins.

Keith peeked in Shiro's room, then in Hunk's room. Lance stuck his head in Allura's and Coran's rooms.

"Hika, buddy? Where are you?" Lance and Keith searched down hallways together, glancing everywhere the baby could hide in.

The red paladin stopped, then waved his hand to Lance. Lance paused and looked at Keith. "Pidge." He whispered.

Lance's shoulders slowly fell and he sighed.

They began to make their way down the halls, then stopped once they reached their destination.

Keith took Lance's hand and sighed.

Hikaru sat in front of the pod, his amber eyes large as he looked up at the person inside. One of his hands was flat over the glass, his other held his favorite blanket to his chest. Hikaru cooed softly.

Lance gave Keith's hand a soft squeeze, then quietly made his way over. Lance sat beside Hikaru and pet his hair back. The baby blinked and looked up at him. "Hey, buddy. You're supposed to be asleep."

The baby giggled, then pointed up at the woman in the pod. "Mama!" Hikaru bounced giddily, eyes sparkling as he looked back up to her.

The blue paladin bit his lip, then nodded. "Yeah. That's mama."

"Shiro!" Lance heard Keith gasp, and glanced over his shoulder.

The black paladin stood beside Keith, sad, gray eyes meeting Lance's.

Lance swallowed, then looked back to Hikaru. "Hey, bud. Guess who's here?"

Hikaru looked up at Lance. He cooed, then gasped as Lance shuffled out if the way. "Dada!" He squealed. Hikaru twisted onto his little hands and knees and crawled as quickly as he could over to his father. "Dada!" Hikaru giggled as he stopped to sit up and hold up his arms.

Shiro smiled weakly, then crouched down to pick up his son. "Hey, bubba. You should be sleeping."

"Mm, mama." Hikaru hugged his favorite blanket, looking up at Shiro with his big amber eyes.

Shiro nodded, petting Hikaru's dark hair back. "Yes... That's mama." Hikaru giggled, then nuzzled his father. "Get some rest, you two. Thanks for taking care of him over night." Shiro murmured, nodding to Lance and Keith as the blue paladin walked back over.

"Get some sleep yourself." Keith whispered.

"I will."

~

Hikaru shrieked as he ran as quickly as he could on his chubby little legs from Lance and Allura. Allura laughed as she pretended to chase him beside Lance that made grabbing motions and playful growls at the toddler.

"I'm gonna get you!" Lance declared, leaping forward. Hikaru squealed.

"Uncle Keet! Uncle Keet!" Hikaru cried, reaching up as he ran towards the red paladin.

Keith chuckled and scooped up the boy mid-run. "I'll protect you, Hika!"

Hikaru giggled and hugged Keith. He then stuck his tongue out at the princess and blue paladin.

Both gasped, playfully appalled. Lance wailed and fell dramatically. "My food! If I can't eat little boys, I'll never survive!"

The boy in Keith's arms squeaked happily. "Bye bye, uncle Ance." Hikaru waved, then wiggled until he was set down. "Need to find Dada!" He exclaimed, dashing off down the hall and turned a corner.

Hikaru slowed down once he was sure he was safe from Aunt Allura and Uncle Lance, then looked around. He hummed, hands up to his chest as he began to pout. The hallway was big and scary.

"Hikaru..."

The boy perked up and snapped his head to look down the hall he was passing. He waited a moment, then heard his voice again. Hikaru gasped, then ran down the hall. "Mama!? Mama!"

"Hikaru..."

"Whoa, whoa!"

Hikaru yelped as he was abruptly swooped up into large, comfortable arms. "Hey, buddy. Where do you think you're running off to?" Hunk snickered, then began to carry him back to the others.

"Ah, no!" Hikaru gasped, beginning to squirm. "Mama! Mama!"

Hunk paused, then pulled Hikaru up. "She's not there, little guy." He whispered, then continued.

Hikaru whimpered as he looked over Hunk's shoulder to the hall he was just running down. "Mama..."

~

Every time the paladins had to leave for a fight, Hikaru was put in Shiro's room to stay until his dad came to tell him everything was okay. Hikaru was pretty good about staying put.

"Hikaru..."

Except for when he heard his name.

Hikaru leaned over to peek at the door from his spot on the bed. He heard fighting outside, so it couldn't be his father or his uncles or aunt.

"Hikaru..."

The door slid open, then Hikaru gasped. He twisted and wiggled to get off the bed without falling, then dashed out of the room. "Mama! Mama, mama!" Hikaru cried giddily, rushing to the familiar hallway.

He skidded to a halt in front of a pod, panting. Hikaru tilted his head, blinking owlishly up at the woman inside. "Mama?" He stepped forward and placed his hands on the glass separating them. "Mama, wake up... Hold me..." Hikaru opened his arms up to her, but she didn't move. Hikaru whimpered. "Mama, hold me... Mama, I wan' you to hold me!"

Hikaru began to sob, stretching on his toes and leaning on the glass, stretching his little arms as much as he could up to her. "Mama! Mama, hold me!" The little boy cried, fat tears rolling down his red cheeks.

Hikaru shrieked as he was suddenly picked up and held tightly against a familiar chest. "No, no! I wan' mama!" Hikaru wailed, reaching over broad shoulders to his mother. "Mama! Mama!"

"It's okay, bubba." Hikaru heard his father whisper, holding him tightly. "I'm here, okay? I'm here." Hikaru wept, arms falling limp as he began to lose sight of his mother. Shiro pet his hair down. "I'm not going anywhere, bubba."

Hikaru sniffled and buried his face in Shiro's shoulder. "I wan' mama..."

Shiro nodded, patting the three-year-old's back. "I know... I know you do. I want mama, too..." Shiro pressed a gentle kiss to Hikaru's head. "It's okay, bubba..."

~

Keith leaned on Lance, Hikaru on his lap. "Do you know that word?"

"Mm-hm!" Hikaru nodded. "It says 'joyfully.'"

Lance patted Hikaru's head. "Good job, buddy."

Hikaru grinned up at Lance, then went back to reading the book. As he read, his finger followed along,

Keith sighed softly, running his hand up and down the five-year-old's back. "He's so smart already. Do you think Pidge was this smart when she was this young?"

"Babe." Lance snorted. "She was building robots by this age."

"Probably true." Keith chuckled.

Hikaru paused, then sounded out a longer word before repeating it perfectly.

"Good job, bud!" Lance ruffled Hikaru's hair, making the boy giggle. All three looked up as the commons door slid open. "Hey, Shiro."

Shiro smiled, then laughed as Hikaru squealed and threw his book aside. Hikaru wiggled off Keith and ran to Shiro. "Daddy! I'm reading a book all by myself!"

"All by yourself?" Shiro crouched down in front of the boy. "Really? Wow, that's awesome!"

Hikaru grinned and nodded.

Shiro breathed deeply. "Hey, you know the people we saved the other day?" Hikaru tilted his head, then nodded. "Do you want to meet them?" Hikaru gasped, then nodded. Shiro stood and held out his hand. Hikaru eagerly took it and tried to pull his father after him.

"Come on, come on!" Hikaru squealed, trying to run down to hall to the medical bay. "I wanna say hi to them!"

Shiro chuckled. "Alright, alright! I'm coming, bubba!"

Once they reached the medical room, Hikaru let go of Shiro's hand and bolted straight to the men that must have just finished getting dressed in actual clothes.

"Hi, hi!" Hikaru squeaked, gaining the attention of the two. "My name is Hikaru!"

The older blinked, then chuckled as he knelt in front of the boy. "Hi, Hikaru. I'm Samuel. This is Matthew."

Hikaru pointed behind him. "That's my daddy."

"He is?" Samuel raised a brow and looked up to Shiro. Matthew looked shocked. "Is he a good dad?" Hikaru nodded. "What about your mother?"

"Mama's sleeping." Hikaru shrugged, then looked back at his father as he sighed. "Right, daddy? She's sleeping."

Shiro nodded slowly.

A frown slowly began to settle on Samuel's and Matthew's face. "Oh..." Samuel breathed. "That's what happened to the green paladin..."

Hikaru stepped over to his father and held his arms up. Shiro picked him up and held him close. "I... Have to show you something..."

~

Matthew couldn't look, but Samuel stepped closer. He flattened his palm over the glass and sucked in a shuddering breath. "My little girl..."

Hikaru trotted over, then tugged on Samuel's pants. "You know mama?"

"Hikaru-" Shiro started, but stopped as Samuel raised a hand, then knelt down in front of the boy.

"I'm her father. I guess that means I'm your grandpa." Samuel smiled and ruffled the boy's hair.

He giggled. "Grandpa? I never had a Grandpa."

Samuel chuckled. "Now you do, Hikaru. Hey, why don't you show me around?"

Hikaru nodded and grabbed Samuel's hand. "Okay! Come on, I wanna show you the big big room with the robot uncle Keith plays with!"

~

"Hikaru..."

"I'm coming!" Hikaru gasped, dashing through the halls. He skidded around corners, grinning wildly, even though he was supposed to be asleep in his room.

"Hikaru..."

The six-year-old stumbled into his favorite hall and slowed as he approached the only activated pod. He smiled, then sat in front of the pod. Hikaru wrapped his blanket around himself. "Hi, mama." He greeted, scooting closer. "Uncle Matt was talking to Daddy about you again today. Daddy said that I'm super smart like you are. How smart are you, mama?"

Suddenly, lights down the hall flickered. Hikaru blinked as he looked. He looked back up to his mother. "Go down there? Where? I don't want to go. I just got here."

The lights flickered again, and Hikaru pouted. "Fine... But I'm coming right back, mama."

Hikaru felt as if a warmth wrapped around him, and not his blanket. He smiled, then stood up.

His blanket dragged behind him as he followed the flickering lights. He paused as the lights stopped at a door. Hikaru lowered his head and gulped. "Daddy says I can't go in there."

The doors slowly slid open, then Hikaru giggled. "But mama knows best, uncle Matt always says."

Hikaru trotted in, the lights already on. His eyes widened and he tilted his head back to look at the giant machinery in front of him. "Whoa..." He breathed out. "Pretty..." Hikaru slowly walked over, pouting at the green shield. "Hey, hey! Can I come in?" Hikaru called, standing on his toes and waving. "Please?"

The shield quivered, then began to dissolve. A soft, metallic purr rumbled as it lowered it's head. Hikaru gasped and squeezed his blanket. His eyes eyes followed the beast's head, still frozen as it now lay in front of him. "Lion..." Hikaru breathed, then yelped as it opened it's mouth. Hikaru blinked, then giggled and ran inside. He crawled up into the cockpit, then climbed up into the chair.

The chair slid him over to the dash. "Ooh..." Hikaru looked around in wonder, eyes sparkling happily. "So pretty... You were mama's lion, weren't you?" A gentle purr confirmed his question. Hikaru pet what he could reach of the dash. He then yawned and curled up, hugging his blanket. "Can I sleep here?" The lion rumbled and Hikaru smiled. "Thank you, pretty."

~

Falling asleep in the green lion became routine for Hikaru and a nightmare for Shiro. The father could never find the boy until he came out, dragging his blanket and rubbing his tired eyes.

Shiro slowly got used to it, but still didn't like that his son would disappear to sleep in an unknown place. At one point, he accidentally said, "you're just like your mother."

Everyone in the room froze up once it slipped, everything falling silent.

The seven-year-old looked down. "Is that bad?"

Shiro knelt down in front if his son and placed his flesh hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "Not at all, Hika. It's good that you're like your mother."

Hikaru smiled at his father. "I'm glad." Shiro smiled and ruffled Hikaru's hair. "Can I go play, now?"

"Yeah, go on." Shiro stood back up and nudged his son off. "Be careful."

Shiro looked over as a hand was placed on his shoulder. Samuel smiled up at him. "You're a good father, Shiro. Katie would be proud." Shiro smiled, then watched after Hikaru.

~

"Dad says I can't pilot Green." Hikaru huffed and sat angrily in front of the familiar pod. "I don't know why. I'm thirteen, mom!"

The teen crossed his arms and glared at the floor. His gaze then softened and he looked back up to the seemingly sleeping woman. "What happened, mom? No one will tell me and I'm afraid to ask. I don't want to hurt them. They're clearly still upset about losing you. Is it my fault? Is it because of me that you're dead?"

The silence of the castle never bothered him before this moment. It seemed suffocating - almost crushing. Hikaru's eyes stung as he looked up at her. "I understand that... That you're dead, but... Why? Why don't I ever get to really meet you? Why do I never get the chance to hear your voice? That's not fair. It's just not fair, mom. I want to talk to you. I want you to hold me and lead me and be the fun parent uncle Lance said you'd be." Tears rolled down his cheeks and he flattened his palms over the glass. "I want you to yell at me like moms are supposed to. Teach me things dad can't."

"You just want me to tell you that you can pilot Green so you don't have to listen to your father."

Hikaru gasped and leapt to his feet. He swiveled around, swinging his head side-to-side as he searched for the voice. "Wh-who's there!?"

He got no answer.

Hikaru turned back to his mother, calming his racing heart beat. "Mom?"

Lights flickered down the hall. Hikaru turned to look, gulping. "I... I've never been down there before..." Hikaru whispered.

"Hikaru... Come here..."

Instead, Hikaru took a wary step back. "Who are you?"

The doors at the end of the hall slid open. Hikaru glanced over to his mother, then cautiously made his way down the hall. "No one is supposed to be on the ship. I'm not afraid of you!"

A soft giggle came from behind the doorway and Hikaru froze.

"I'm glad." The voice came again, much clearer now.

Slowly, Hikaru breathed in, then entered the room.

He blinked, looking around. There didn't seem to be anything special about the room aside from the stand directly in the middle. "Hello?" Hikaru called, voice echoing off the walls.

A light flickered over the stand, snapping Hikaru's attention to it. His eyes widened and he gasped as the room flashed and was flooded by an image of an unfamiliar place.

Hikaru spun, looking at his new surroundings. An old, gray couch sat back against a white wall, pictures of af family hanging above it. Another couch was situated near it, facing the wall beside the other couch. A small, wooden table stood on a white rug in front of the tables while a black screen sat on another wooden stand. The floor was hardwood and out the windows were fields of grass and trees.

Hikaru relaxed, the room filling him with warmth and comfort.

"This was my home growing up."

Hikaru pivoted and his eyes widened. The woman now standing in the room looked around. "Strange, compared to the castle... Isn't it? Different from what you're used to."

The teen stared at her, then looked over to the wooden door that opened to the castle. He blinked, then looked back at her. Her amber eyes were now on him.

"... Mom?" His voice shook, and she smiled.

"Hey, sweetie."

~

Hikaru picked at his food, chin resting on his palm.

Shiro sighed, putting his fork down. "Hikaru... You're not still angry that I won't allow you to pilot Green, are you?"

"Dad, she chose me!" Hikaru shouted, tossing his fork onto his plate. "I'm her paladin, now! I should be allowed to pilot her, with or without your permission!"

Shiro narrowed his eyes. "Hikaru Samuel, I am your father. You are too young to pilot a lion of Voltron. If I say you're not piloting Green, you are not piloting Green."

Hikaru slumped in his seat, listening to the others eat. "Mom would let me pilot Green."

Everyone froze up and Shiro tensed.

The black paladin breathed deeply. "You wouldn't know what your mother would say."

"And you would?" Hikaru sat back up. "Tell me exactly what mom would say. I want to know." Hikaru watched as his father's jaw clenched. "Exactly." Hikaru stood and stomped out. "I'm done eating. I'll just send myself to my room to save you the trouble."

~

"You shouldn't talk to your father that way."

Hikaru lowered his head as he entered the room. "I know... I'm sorry."

Katie smiled and beckoned him closer. Once he stood in front of her, she cupped his cheeks. Hikaru wished he could feel her. "You want to know what I would say?" Hikaru nodded. "Listen to your father. Even if he wasn't your father, you'd still have to listen to him. He's the head of Voltron. Your leader."

Hikaru nodded. "I know. I'll apologize. Promise."

"Good." Katie nodded firmly, then sat on the floor. Hikaru sat in front of her. "Listen to him, Hikaru. You're everything to him."

"What about you?" Hikaru looked up to her. "Aren't you everything to dad?"

"I was." Katie whispered, placing her hand over his. "But then I died, Hika. If I'm all he focused on, he'd be a hallow shell. Keith or Allura would probably be the black paladin instead. However, he has you to focus on. He has you to keep safe."

Hikaru smiled. "He doesn't know about you, does he?" Katie laughed and shook her head. "Hey, mom... What happened?"

Katie hummed, tilting her head. "You mean, how did I die?" Hikaru nodded. Katie breathed deeply, though maybe she really didn't need to breathe. "Well... We were visiting a planet to form an alliance. You weren't due for another few weeks, so I was sure it was safe... But, as luck would have it, I went into labor. I wanted to have you on Earth, or at least in the castle on the way to Earth. That was the plan. You just had a different plan." Hikaru looked down.

"So, Coran and Shiro helped the aliens get me to one of their hospitals and the others went back to the castle to prepare things." Tears built up in Hikaru's eyes, but he reused to let them fall. "I was supposed to have twins, but... Your sister was still born. Then I had you. I lost so much blood and the pain was overwhelming... But you were in my arms, sleeping peacefully. Your father let me name you, so... Hikaru Samuel Shirogane became your name. I was so tired, so I told you I love you, and I fell asleep."

Hikaru swallowed the lump in his throat. "But you never woke up."

Katie nodded. "I never woke up. They put me in a pod and... Without realizing it, they transferred my AI into the ship."

As Hikaru looked back up to her, a single tear slipped free. "So it's been you? You've been leading me around the castle and talking to me?" Katie nodded. "Why not dad? Don't you want to talk to dad?"

Katie smiled sadly. "Of course I do... But I've broken his heart enough already. I don't want him to hurt anymore because of me."

"But dad would be happy!" Hikaru protested. "He wants to see you!"

"Alive, Hikaru. He wants to see me alive. I'm dead, Hikaru." Katie murmured, standing up. "He may be happy to see me, to hear my voice, but I'm not really here."

Hikaru looked down and nodded. "Right... But, then why talk to me?"

Katie ran her hand over his hair. "Is it wrong for a mother to want to be involved in her son's life? You're my only child, Hika. I don't want you just... Wondering. I don't want you to feel like I've abandoned you."

"How could I!?" Hikaru yelped, standing up. "You died! You didn't leave, then die! You died holding me in your arms!"

Katie smiled, then the room changed. Hikaru blinked, and looked around. There was no sound, but there his father and mother were. His mother lay on the bed, belly large as she gripped his father's hand. Katie and Hikaru stood on the opposite side of the bed. One alien raised a squirming bundle and carried it over.

"There you are." Katie whispered as the bundled baby was placed in her arms. "I could never express the joy I felt holding you for the first time after carrying you for so long. I knew right away the other was still born, but you lived. You we're a miracle to me, Hika. However, I don't think you father realized." Hikaru watched as his,mother named him, petting his cheek and as his father held them both.

Hikaru gulped. "Dad really loves you, mom."

Katie smiled, the room slowly fading out to castle walls. "I know. I really love him, too."

"Can't you just talk to him? Once?"

"I did." Katie whispered. "He thought he was dreaming, and I'm going to leave it that way." Katie stepped back and gestured to the open door. "Go on to bed. I'm sure your father won't like you picking up my sleeping habits."

Hikaru smiled and nodded. "Okay. Hey, when do you think I could pilot Green?"

Katie laughed and shooed him out. "When you're ready."

~

Hikaru gulped and licked his lips, gripping the controls. "Whoa..."

"That's it, bud. Just relax a little. Feel Green." Lance urged on from the floor, Shiro beside him. "Don't try piloting her yet. Just get a feel for her."

"Alright." Hikaru breathed deeply, closing his eyes.

"That's it." A voice whispered in his ear and he smiled.

"Hi, mom."

Katie giggled softly, then pressed a finger to her lips. "What better teacher to pilot Green than her previous paladin?" She asked. "Lance said not to pilot, right?" Hikaru nodded and she smirked. "I'll show you why he also says that I'd be the fun parent. Press that green button."

Hikaru blinked, then did as told. He gasped as he was jostled and Green stood. He laughed as Green roared.

Lance and Shiro started shouting while Katie pointed to another button, then gestured with her arm. Hikaru grinned and followed his mother's silent instructions. Green leapt up and launched out of the hangar. Hikaru cheered, steering the lion straight up.

"Veer right and straighten out!" Katie laughed, and Hikaru nodded. He twisted the lever and jerked it to turn right and make the lion hover. "There we go! Hey, you're a natural."

Hikaru grinned up at her projection. "Both my parents were two of the greatest pilots. I must have gotten it from them."

Katie smiled softly and pressed her lips to his temple. Hikaru wished he could feel it.

"Hikaru Samuel Shirogane, you land that lion right now!"

Hikaru and Katie both groaned. She then smiled at Hikaru. "Dad's such a killjoy, isn't he?" Hikaru sniggered, then followed his mother's instructions as she told him how to land.

Once Hikaru landed Green, his mother disappeared and he exited the lion. His father was storming furiously over to him, Lance laughing and stumbling behind.

"Hikaru Samuel, what the hell was that!?" Shiro snapped and Hikaru shrugged. "No piloting. We agreed that you wouldn't fly until your sixteenth birthday."

"I'll be sixteen in a week, dad." Hikaru muttered, looking at his feet.

Shiro bristled. "You could have been hurt, Hikaru! I don't want you piloting the lion unless you have someone with you until you're capable."

Hikaru grumbled under his breath. Shiro leaned closer. "What was that? Speak up. If you have something to say, say it out loud-"

"I said mom was with me!" Hikaru shouted, then gasped and slapped his hands over his mouth. Lance jolted and went silent immediately while Shiro stiffened up, back straight and shoulders back. Hikaru's eyes widened.

Shiro's breath hitched in his throat. "What?" His voice trembled.

Hikaru gulped. "N-nothing... I didn't say anything. I swear." Hikaru felt himself begin to shake. "I didn't say anything!"

Shiro's breath became harder and he stepped back.

Lance licked his lips, then stepped forward. He placed his hand on Shiro's shoulder, jolting him out of a trance. "Come on... Let's get back to the castle..."

~

"I messed up!" Hikaru groaned, stuffing his head in his pillow.

Katie ran his hand through his hair, though his hair stayed the same. "Hika, everyone makes mistakes. Should you have blurted that I was in there? No. Did you? Yes. It's too late to change that. What did we learn today?"

"To hold my fucking tongue."

The previous green paladin snorted, then laughed. "Do not say that in front of your father. He will bring me back to life just to murder me again."

Hikaru furrowed his brows and looked up at Katie. "Why?"

"Because you got that mouth from me." She mused, brushing her knuckles over his cheek. "How you've come to be so like me, I'll never know. You didn't have me growing up."

Hikaru smiled and sat up. "Maybe I picked it up from Grandpa and uncle Matt."

Katie chuckled, folding her hands in her lap. "Possibly. Now, go apologize to your father."

"But-"

"No buts, young man. Go." She cut off and he groaned, sliding off the bed. Katie giggled. "Just get it over with. You're not going to regret it."

~

"Dad?" Hikaru gently knocked on the door to his father's room. "Can we talk?"

The doors slid open and Hikaru looked up at the black paladin.

"Yeah, buddy. What about?"

Hikaru tugged on the ends of his sleeves as he looked down. "I wanted to say sorry. I didn't mean to say that... That mom was there... I just... I felt like..."

Shiro sighed, stepping back. He sat on the edge of his bed and gestured for Hikaru to sit with him. Hikaru complied. "You felt connected to her... Didn't you? Piloting the Green lion. I understand." Hikaru nodded. Shiro placed his hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "Don't feel bad, alright? You told me the truth. You felt as if your mother was really in there with you."

"Yeah, and I freaked both you and uncle Lance out at the same time." Hikaru grumbled and Shiro laughed. Hikaru then looked up at his father. "Will you tell me about her? No one ever talks about her."

The black paladin hummed, looking forward. "You're just like her. Stubborn, proud, curious. You have her brain. Sometimes, you're so much like her that it scares me." They both chuckled. "Your mother hated it when someone told her what to do. She was very independent, but compassionate. She had little patience, yet she could work for hours on a single project. Your mother easily lost track of time and would work until she passed out."

"How did you fall in love?" Hikaru crossed his legs.

Shiro smiled. "Well, no one really knows how you fall in love... Maybe your mother did. If you asked her, she may have rambled on and on about it. But, we fell in love over time, I suppose. She was much younger than me, so I tried to deny it. Tried to push aside my feelings. However, your mother decides that when she wants something, she's going to get it."

Hikaru grinned. "When did you guys get married?"

Shiro chuckled. "I have no doubt you gained her curiosity. Well, I finally allowed myself to at least romantically be with her. No more... But then she decided she wanted to be married. So, a month after her twenty-second birthday, we were married. A few months later, she wanted a baby."

A frown tugged on Hikaru's lips. "And then-"

"No, we waited. I managed to convince her to wait." Shiro eased with a nostalgic smile. "So, she waited with me until things settled down just a little more. Then, after two years of being married, she came to me. She was crying, and I remembering thinking someone died or her lab was on fire, but then she... She told me she was pregnant." Shiro chuckled, carding his fingers through his hair. "She was beyond happy."

"Were you happy?"

"Honestly, I was shocked. But, yes. I was so happy. The next several months, we argued about names and who you'd be more like, gender... Whatever she wanted you to have, she grabbed it and gave me giant, pleading eyes and I just... I couldn't say no. You know that blanket you used to always carry with you?" Hikaru nodded. "She somehow convinced me to let her stay on a planet called Extán so she could make it."

Hikaru smiled. "Mom sounds great."

"She really was." Shiro mused. "Your mother was the best thing to have ever happened to me."

The young paladin looked down. "I'm sorry for taking her away from you."

Shiro frowned and grabbed Hikaru's shoulder. "Don't you talk like that, Hikaru Samuel. She loved you and I love you. It's not your fault."

Hikaru nodded. "I just... I love her, dad. I love her and yet I only met her when I was born."

"That's okay." Shiro murmured, wrapping his arm around his son's shoulder. Hikaru leaned on his father with a soft sigh. "It's okay to feel like that, just don't blame yourself. I blamed my self when it happened, and I refused to hold you for the first three weeks of your life. Everyone else took care of you."

"Really?" Hikaru raised a brow, then sniggered as Shiro nodded. "Such great parenting skills, dad." He snorted as Shiro shoved his head. "Thanks, dad."

"For what?"

"For telling me about mom. Do you think she would have been the fun parent?"

"I have no doubt you would have thought she was the fun parent. She would have let you pull that stunt you did today. Probably would have told you to do it."

~

Katie was grinning from where she sat on the floor when Hikaru walked in. "One thing you definitely got from your father is that you're a complete dork."

"Mom!" Hikaru yelped. "You were listening!?"

The previous green paladin shrugged. "Maybe. I might have. I couldn't help myself."

Hikaru whined, shoulders slumping. "Moooommm!" He groaned. "That was private father-son time!"

Katie giggled. "Sorry, sweetie. I'll try not to do it again." She stood up. "Come here. Let me see you." Hikaru pouted, but trotted over. Katie reached up and cupped his face. "My eyes, my smile... But everything else from your father. You look just like him. I'm glad. But you're too damn tall."

Hikaru chuckled. "Sorry. I got that from dad, too."

"Yes you did." She sighed, patting down his chest. "You've grown so much... I'm so proud of you." Katie's voice started to shake and Hikaru frowned. "I wish... I wish I could have grown with you and your father."

"Mom, don't cry." Hikaru raised his arms to hug her, but stopped. "I don't you to cry."

Katie huffed, rubbing at her face. "I can't help it. You're already almost as old as I am, Hika."

Hikaru snorted. "You're twenty-four. I'm almost sixteen."

"Over half my age!" Katie exclaimed but was grinning. "You're almost old enough to kiss someone."

"Mom! Who could I even kiss out here!?"

"I've seen lots of pretty aliens out here."

"Mom, come on!"

"I'm just saying-"

"Katie?"

Said woman and her son froze. Hikaru pivoted and Katie peeked around him.

"Dad..." Hikaru gulped.

Shiro stood in the doorway, stiff and brows furrowed. "Katie...?" His voice was weak and he took a shaky step forward.

Hikaru stepped back. His mother breathed deeply. "Takashi..."

The black paladin was still and silent for a moment longer, then rushed forward. "Katie, I-" He held him arms up and halted in front of her.

Katie tilted her head back slightly to look up at him. "You what?" She whispered.

His mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came out.

Hikaru looked back and forth between his parents, then slowly began to step back and head towards the door. A small smile curled his lips, even though no sound came from the room he exited.

His parents were together again, even if it wasn't how either really pictured it.

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5622 words

Make the tears stop. Please.

Also, I totally drew that cutie patutie up there ^^^