Kidge
Requested
Hopefully it'll be cute
Or something

Keith groaned, rubbing his face. He lost that stupid nose-touch 'not it' game, so now he has to be the one to go get the Green Paladin. Recently, the youngest had made it more than a habit to pull an all-nighter every single night.

Twenty-four/seven, she looked and acted as if she was about to just fall over in exhaustion. Along with that, Katie was also incredibly angry. She'd snap and lash out, tears forming in her dark eyes from all the frustration building up.

So, Keith, Lance, Hunk, Allura and Coran decided to start dragging the youngest paladin to her room and lock her in there, and Keith happened to be the unlucky first.

The red paladin sighed, stopping as the doors to the Green lion's hangar opened.

Keith froze up, eyes widening as he heard soft sobs coming from the figure hunched over the desk. He closed his eyes and lowered his head.

Great. And she's crying. Keith rubbed his face, then silently made his way closer.

Katie rested her head between her arms, fingers curled into her unruly hair. Her large, round glasses were set beside her bayard and on top of her jacket.

"Go away." She demanded lowly, but didn't move otherwise. She clearly forced her sobs down to keep from weeping in front of him.

Keith crouched down beside her, placing his hand on her back. "Is this what you've been doing every night?"

His answer was a silent turn of her head.

"I understand, Pidge."

"No you don't!" Katie snapped, bolting straight up and leaping to her feet. "Not at all! I thought they were dead, then Shiro shows up and says they're alive, and he promises he'll help me get them back! Where is he, Keith!?" She nearly screams as he stands. "Where is Shiro!? He's made me feel like I've got a new brother in him, then he goes and vanishes as well! How can I find him? How can I find any of them!?"

The red paladin breathed deeply, then carefully took her hands. At first, Katie tried yanking herself away, but he gripped harder and pulled her into his arms. "With our help, Pidge. We can help you. We're here to help you."

Katie trembled, whimpers spilling from her lips. Keith held her closer and tighter as she relaxed and nestled into him. "It's okay to ask for help, Pidge. We will help if you just ask."

She nodded, fingers curling into his shirt. Keith glanced over to the desk, then back down to her. "Let's get you to bed, alright? You need to rest." Again, she just nodded.

"Just-just so long..." Katie sniffled as he pulled back to see her face. "So long as you stay... Just until I fall asleep."

Keith smiled softly, petting her hair back. "Sure. And, I'll tell Allura you're resting."

Katie rubbed her eyes. "Why?"

"Because she said if I do manage to somehow get you into bed, both of us get a free-bee from training tomorrow."

The younger paladin giggled. "That sounds great."

Keith nodded and nudged her out of the hangar. "It does. So, come on and we'll have a day without feeling like our limbs are going to fall off."

~

"So," Lance mused as he slunk into the dining seat beside Keith's. "I think I've found out why you've been volunteering to find Pidge and never be seen again until the next morning."

Keith raised a brow, scooping food goo into his mouth. "Yeah? Tell me what you think you've got all figured out." His voice was muffled by his food.

The blue paladin hummed. "It was quite easy to figure out."

"Mm-hm."

"Not very hard. I mean, why else would you volunteer, leave, then not show up until the next day?"

"Who knows?"

"So I started some investigating."

"Yeah?" Keith gave up on paying attention.

"You weren't in your room this morning. You weren't anywhere else in the castle."

"Huh."

"So I have come to a conclusion."

"Mkay."

"Our red paladin and green paladins are having themselves an affair."

Lance stared at Keith with a smirk as the red paladin froze. Keith's cheeks and ears began to turn red and he jerked with a cough as he choked on his food goo.

"Wh-at!?" Keith yelped, throwing himself back in his chair.

The blue paladin burst out laughing. "I knew it!"

"No, you idiot!" Keith shouted, standing up. "Look, dude! Nothing is going on between Pidge and I. I just fell asleep in her room last night was all. She falls asleep better if someone's there." Keith folded his arms.

Lance nodded with a knowing smile as he stood. "Sure. Alright. Okay."

Keith shook his head and took a deep breath. "Lance, seriously. I'm the leader now, and I have to be there for my team more than ever. Pidge needs us more than ever. She just lost another brother." Lance's smile wilted as his gaze switched to the floor. "Besides, she's like my sister. I couldn't... Like her like that." Keith carded his fingers through his hair, looking away with his cheeks still singed a soft pink. Could I?

~

Katie slouched at her desk, chin propped in the heal of her hand as she flicked a small, metallic looking ball that felt more like rubber. It rolled across the desk, to the edge, then slowly u-turn and roll back for the process to repeat.

The green paladin perked up as the doors slid open, looking up and letting the ball roll off the table and bounce on the floor. "Keith!" She smiled, pulling her legs up to cross over the edge of her chair. "It's bedtime already?"

Keith raised a brow as he walked over, arms crossed. "No, not yet. I just wanted to talk a little bit. You did great in training today. You were less distracted, you struck just at the right times - I'm proud." Katie grinned widely at the praise. "I think you just need to work a little bit on not separating yourself from the rest of us." He reached forward and gently ruffled her hair. "Other than that, you did pretty good."

Katie rocked and nodded. "I know." She mused, amber eyes sparkling. Keith smiled, tucking a lock of loose hair behind her ear. "But thanks."

The red paladin hummed, taking his hand back. "You look good without the glasses." Her eyes widened slightly and Keith realized what he had just said. "W-wait a moment, I-"

"Thank you." Katie said more softly as she looked down shyly. Her hand came up to twist a lock of hair around her finger.

Keith chuckled. "Yeah."

~

"Hunk, Lance! You take the left with Allura! Pidge! You stay with me!"

"Roger!" Katie and Lance both saluted before parting to do as asked.

"I'm with you, Keith." Katie mused as she piloted her lion after his.

Keith smiled. "Good to know. You take left, I'll take right?"

Katie huffed amusedly. "Isn't that how it goes, right arm?"

"Not anymore, since I'm the head."

"Don't remind me, show off." She stuck her tongue out at him over the screen. Keith chuckled. "But we should probably,go before we're flanked by those guys."

"Probably. Come on! Nose dive!"

~

Once they were all gathered in the lounge for a break from five hours of battle, Katie slumped and let herself lean on Keith. Keith leaned back and shifted, then slid his arm behind the green paladin.

Lance sniggered and nudged Hunk, though Hunk only groaned and swatted him. Lance huffed, elbowing the yellow paladin.

"Hey!" Hunk shot up, glaring at Lance. The newly appointed red paladin shrugged and gestured to the green paladin and newly appointed black paladin. Hunk looked, blinking owlishly.

The yellow paladin waved his arm in their direction, then Lance hummed with a tilt of his head. Hunk giggled behind his hand and nudged his best friend.

"What are you two doing?" Katie groaned, glaring at them through very narrow, tired eyes.

"Nothing." Lance sang, jumping to his feet. "Naptime!"

~

Keith narrowed his eyes at the bright laptop screen. "Pidge, come on... Bedtime."

She waved at him. "Just a moment. I'm almost done."

The black paladin groaned, laying back on her bed. "Hurry it up."

"Almost... Almost... Done!" Katie slammed her laptop shut and jumped to her feet. "There? Happy Mr. Leader?"

"Yes." Keith muttered, grunting as she fell on top of him. He sighed and relaxed into the mattress, eyes closing. "Finally going to sleep?" He whispered, drowsiness keeping him from attempting to move as Katie wiggled off of him and under the covers beside him.

"Mm-hm." She mused, shuffling closer until she was snuggled into his side. Keith raised his arm and draped it lazily over her. "You should sleep, too. You're about to pass out." He hummed. Katie snickered. "Maybe you should just stay. You're practically asleep anyway."

Keith just sighed and shifted just slightly. "Night..." He breathed out."

Katie smiled softly and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Goodnight, Keith."

~

"KEITH!"

Said paladin launched himself out of bed with a shout. "I'm up!" He cried, scrambling to his feet and searching for his knife.

A bright, cheerful scream startled Keith more, then he was shocked frozen as his face was grabbed and lips pressed hard and excited against his own chapped lips. He blinked owlishly, hunched slightly with his hands frozen in midair.

Katie jumped excitedly around, voice high pitched as she rambled on, jumping and bouncing back to her laptop.

"Wh-what?" Keith sputtered, slowly turning around, face bright red.

"I found Shiro!" Katie grinned as she whipped around to face Keith. "He's at the base of the rebels that broke my brother out of prison! I found Shiro and my brother!"

~

Keith's gaze stayed fixated on Katie as She bounced in her seat, gripping the arm rests while her wide eyes stayed focused on the screen. He smiled softly, only looking up as Allura began to speak.

"I am Allura, Princess of Altea. The Castle of Lions Lionsis requesting permission to land."

The pale gray alien bowed his head. "Permission granted, princess. I will tell the black paladin right away, assuming you are here for him."

Allura smiled. "Thank you, sir."

~

"Shiro!" Katie bolted ahead of everyone else, then they followed.

Shiro grinned, skidding to a halt to keep from falling over as the green paladin crashed into him, throwing her short arms around him. "Katie! Lance!" He laughed as the blue paladin also leapt onto him, then followed by Keith, then Hunk. "Keith! Hunk! Guys!"

"You're okay! You're okay!" Katie squeezed tighter and tighter. She then began to wriggled and pry herself out of the entanglement to look around. "Where is he? He's got to be here. Shiro, where is he!?"

The black paladin smiled softly as he managed to free himself of the other paladins. He placed his hands on Katie's shoulders and turned her to face the opened door at the other end of the bay. "He's so close, you could almost touch him."

Katie's eyes watered up as she stood stock still. Keith could see her begin to shake as she gulped. "Matt..." She murmured, her tears now falling free.

The rebel smiled at her as he began to make his way closer. "Katie. I'm so happy you're okay!" He quickly gathered his sister in his arms, and Keith was almost envious of the way Katie so easily fell into him, clinging to him so desperately, yet happily.

"Matthew! Matthew, Matthew, Matthew!" She cried with a big grin and big tears. "You're okay! I finally found you!"

Keith watched as Matthew kissed her head and held her closer, if even possible. Keith bit his lip, but forced back his jealous thoughts.

~

Keith could barely contain it anymore.

Katie was practically glued to Matthew's side since he was allowed to stay with the Voltron paladins. Also, when she wasn't with Matthew, she was stuck to Shiro.

The red paladin began to feel like maybe she hadn't meant to really kiss him and it was just out of her excitement and joy and accomplishment that she did. Maybe the kiss meant nothing to her.

However, it meant a whole hell of a lot to Keith and it was beginning to drive him insane.

He wanted to pull her aside, to ask her, but she was never alone and she stopped listening to him.

Keith was beyond frustrated and hurt.

The returned red paladin suddenly paused, realizing just exactly where he ended up in his furious storm around the castle-ship. His eyes rolled as he slumped with a groan. Great. How did I end up here? In Pidge's hangar? Keith carded his fingers through his hair and straightened his stance.

Then he jumped as the doors slid open. Keith pivoted to see who came in.

Both Shiro and Katie walked through the doorway, chatting softly to one another. Keith sighed softly. Of course. He glanced down, then back up as he cleared his throat.

The two paladins both stopped and locked up. Katie grinned while Shiro smiled softly and waved. The green paladin went to look back down at the screen and begin talking again, but Keith knew he had to speak before she could or he'd never get the chance to again.

"Shiro, I need to talk to Katie."

"Oh." The black paladin glanced between the two, Katie looking up at Keith in surprise. Shiro took a step back. "Alright. Uh, you need me, I'll be with Matt or the princess." He gestured over his shoulder, then hastily made his way out if the hangar.

Katie closed the screen that hover above her left wrist. "What's up?" She tilted her head and Keith's heart thumped too loudly for his liking.

He gulped, then stalked over. "Really? That's it?"

Her eyes widened slightly, raised her hands up to her chest in a slightly defensive position. "What do you mean?" Katie's voice softened, confused, worried. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you- I-" Keith halted in front of her, hand flying up to his hair. "You've been clinging like a child to Shiro and Matthew!"

"Matthew's my brother and Shiro is my leader." She stated firmly, squaring her shoulders.

"That's not- no, Katie-"

"You've never called me that before."

Keith paused, looking down at her wide eyed. Katie stared up at him, then her shoulders lowered. "Keith?"

The red paladin swallowed thickly, throat and mouth suddenly dry as his hands became clammy.

"Why are you suddenly saying my name?" Katie asked, curiously and softly. She blinked up at him as his hands lowered.

"Did..." Keith trailed, searching her big, bright amber eyes. "Did it mean nothing to you?" Katie jolted slightly in surprise at the question. Keith took a small, hesitant step closer, raising his hands towards her. "The time we spent together? When we talked? When I stayed with you each night? When you kissed me?"

Her eyes flicked away, then she gasped and jumped as Keith shouted.

"Did it mean nothing!? Because it meant everything to me!"

"Keith, I-"

"No, let me finish!" Keith cut her off. "It hurts! I admit, it kinda hurts that you don't talk to me anymore. You hardly look at me anymore! Did I do something!? Was I just replacement for Shiro or Matthew!?" His chest tightened, Katie's eyes wide and shocked. "Was I just replacement? A back-up?" The red paladin's voice dropped.

Katie stared up at him, bewildered and slightly frightened. "Replacement?" She repeated. "No, I-"

"Then what!?" Keith shouted, causing her to flinch. His chest twinged and he looked away. Shit. "Katie... Katie, I'm just-! I was just... I wanted- I want things to go back- no, wait! That's not- I want you to have Matthew and Shiro, too, because, brothers, and- but I want you to- well, I feel- I want-" Keith squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw. "Damn it! Why can't I be good with words!?" He snapped, grabbing her face.

Katie gasped, then yelped, her yelp cut off and muffled by Keith's furious, crushing lips. She grabbed his forearms, eyes wide. He yanked himself back, wide eyed as well. She blinked twice.

Then once more.

Then she smiled.

Keith stiffened in surprise. "I- I'm sorry... I was- I just-"

"Stop talking and kiss me again." Katie muttered, closing her eyes, her grip loosening and her body relaxing.

The red paladin stared for a moment longer before relaxing and leaning back down. She hummed as their lips brushed gently, then pressed softly together. Katie slid her hands up his arms, over his shoulders, then into his hair. Keith ran his hands down to the small of her back and carefully pulled her closer.

She stood on her toes, elbows pushing down on Keith's shoulders to keep herself up and him down.

Keith couldn't help but smile into the sweet kiss and keep smiling as they broke apart.

"What's that look for, Kogane?" Katie mused, twirling a lock of ebony hair around her finger.

"I just... I think I've found what I've been looking for."

Katie smiled at the soft, dazed look in Keith's violet eyes. "You're weird. Kiss me again."

Keith chuckled, leaning in once more. "I think I love you, Katie."

The green paladin huffed amusedly. "I love you, too, stupid."

-----

2912 words

If there are mistakes, fuck you. I already piss myself off because of them.

But I am pretty proud of this.

Not bad, ri-ri.

*pats back*

Also, just realized, but I forgot Slav.