Shatt
Begins before Kerberos mission

Matthew sighed softly as he made his way through the Garrison hallways, his laptop in his arms.

"You look busy. Where you off to?"

The short boy gasped and jumped, then pivoted sharply to look up. Matthew's face flushed bright red and his heart leapt. "T-Takashi Shirogane!"

The older boy laughed. "You don't have to say my whole name. Just call me Shiro."

Matthew blinked owlishly, then slowly nodded. Shiro chuckled and leaned down. "So, where are you off to?"

"To meet with Commander Holt." Matthew muttered, averting his gaze. "He says I missed something in one of my worksheets."

Shiro hummed and raised a brow. "Why do you address him like that? I know he's your father."

"Y-you do!?"

"Of course! I'm pretty good friends with him." Shiro grinned and straightened his back. "It's been nice to finally meet you, Matthew." He reached up and ruffled Matthew's hair. Matthew breath caught in his throat and his stomach twisted. Shiro smiled and waved, then turned to leave.

~

"Hey!" Matthew yelped, reaching up as his book was snatched from his hands.

A deep laugh resonated from behind Matthew. The younger teen tilted his head back to look up at Shiro. Shiro grinned, holding Matthew's book just above his head. "Nice. You have a good taste in books."

Red raced up to Matthew's cheeks and he gulped. "Uhm... The book is... Actually Katie's... She let me barrow it because I read everything else in our house and in the school."

Shiro raised a brow down at Matthew. "Your sister reads this stuff? Isn't she a little young to be reading this?"

"Katie would beg to differ." Matthew smiled. "If you ask her that, she will pummel you."

"She's pretty small."

"Don't say that around her. Even a big guy like you will be on the ground, crying with your hands protecting your now-broken manhood." Matthew smirked.

Shiro hummed and handed the book down. "Well," Shiro mused, "I wouldn't want that." Matthew shook his head, taking the book. "So, I have a question."

Matthew hummed, tucking his bookmark in between the pages. "Shoot."

"Want to grab a coffee with me tomorrow morning?"

The younger blinked, then went completely flushed. "C-coffee?" Shiro nodded, sitting beside Matthew. "O-oh, uhm, yeah... Yeah, I'd like that."

Shiro grinned. "I'm glad."

~

Somehow, they ended up on the floor, Matthew beneath Shiro and wrapped in his larger arms. Matthew held his book up with one hand, his other toying with Shiro's hair.

"You know," Matthew muttered as he set it book aside, "your hair is soft." Shiro chuckled. Matthew then put both his hands in Shiro's jet black hair. "What is it with you and Katie being able to keep your hair so soft?"

Shiro shrugged, but didn't move otherwise. "I don't know her secrets, but I can't tell you mine." Matthew groaned. "But I will tell you that you've got to thoroughly soap, then thoroughly rinse."

Matthew huffed. "I do that."

"Then I can't help you."

"I'm helpless."

"Not entirely, but yes. You are helpless."

"Thanks for being so supportive."

"It's what I do best." Shiro laughed softly. He hummed and shifted slightly. "You're so comfortable."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Good, because it is a compliment."

~

Matthew finds like he likes being wrapped up in Shiro's arms. They're so comfortable, safe and warm.

Currently, Matthew was leaning on Shiro's chest as he studied.

"Don't forget the negative."

The younger paused. His eyes searched the equation, then he groaned. "How did I miss that!? Katie would murder me if I missed that in front of her!"

"She's thirteen, Matthew. How does she know this stuff?"

"My father let's her play around with his notes. I swear, she's smarter than everyone in the school. She's a hacker, though." Matthew muttered, re-writing the work. Shiro chuckled. Matthew readjusted his,glasses and poked his tongue out as he continued with his work.

Shiro smiled as he watched Matthew, chin resting on the younger's shoulder. Shiro gently squeezed Matthew's waist and kissed his neck.

Matthew gasped and jolted, his pencil slipping right out of his fingers. "Sh-Shiro!"

The older man hummed in question, kissing him again. Matthew bit his lip, closing his eyes. "Shiro..."

Shiro twisted Matthew so Matthew would face him, and caught his chin. Matthew gulped, wide eyes on Shiro's soft eyes. The pilot smiled and leaned down. Matthew's eyes fluttered shut and lips pressed just to the corner of his. Matthew's breath hitched and he curled his fingers into the fabric of Shiro's uniform.

Their breaths mingled, eyes closed and hearts skipping giddily. Shiro finally leaned back in, fully pressing their lips together. Matthew melted like chocolate in Shiro's hands, relishing the feel of Shiro's soft, mandarin flavored lips against his own chapped, coffee flavored lips.

Oranges and coffee didn't mix well, but Matthew presently was in love with it.

~

"Shiro!" Matthew shouted, a grin spreading from ear-to-ear. He laughed and launched himself into Shiro's welcoming arms. "Did you hear!?" He shouted excitedly, pressing their foreheads together now that they're the same height(only because Shiro is holding him).

Shiro laughed and pressed a kiss to his younger boyfriend's lips. "Of course I heard, Mattie. I'm the pilot, they have to tell me. If they don't tell me, they'd have a very confused pilot in space with his boyfriend and boyfriend's father."

Matthew snorted, then nuzzled Shiro. "I'm so, so happy. I get to go on an adventure with the man I love that no man has ever gone on before."

"And your father."

"Him, too." Matthew nodded, eyes sparkling. "I'm just... I'm so excited, Shiro. Who knows what we'll find out there."

Shiro hummed, then kissed Matthew once more. "We'll just have to wait and see."

~

This was not what Matthew had in mind

He believed in Aliens, but he had believed that they were like humans; still developing and working on exploring space.

He was not expecting an entire empire of a single race to have imperialized a majority of the universe.

"Take the older one away."

"No- dad!"

"Samuel!"

"He's too weak to go into the arena. Send him to the nearest work camp."

Samuel grunted as he was jerked to his feet, but didn't have to strength to protest.

Matthew sobbed and thrashed in the grip of a Galran sentry. "Dad!"

Samuel could barely look up as he was yanked out. The doors slid shut. Matthew froze and choked. "Dad..."

~

"Take care of your father..."

Matthew trembled, eyes wide as Shiro was pulled away. Tears began rolling down his cheeks as the other prisoners helped him up. "Takashi..."

~

Matthew gasped and jolted wide awake.

"Who's that?" He asked the prisoner on the floor.

The Galra must have thrown them in.

The figure on the floor groaned and pushed themselves up. Matthew leapt off the bed the moment he recognized them. "Takashi!"

Matthew knelt in front of him, taking his face in his hands. "Takashi, Takashi... Why are you in here?"

A weak smile spread on Shiro's lips. That still-bleeding wound across his nose looked like it hurt, even to smile. "As the new Champion... I got one request."

A sob tumbled passed Matthew's lips. "And... And you wanted to see me..." Shiro nodded, then grunted and collapsed. His head fell in Matthew's lap. "Shiro!"

"I'm-I'm okay... I'm okay..." Shiro panted, eyes scrunched in pain. "I'm okay, Matthew... You're here... You're okay, so I'm okay..." His gentle voice was hoarse and weak. Matthew cried softly, leaning over Shiro. "I promise, Matthew... We'll be okay..."

Matthew nodded, curling his fingers in Shiro's mangy hair. "Promise..."

"I promise."

"Okay... I believe you..." Matthew breathed, pressing his lips to Shiro's temple.

Shiro reached up and placed a hand on Matthew's thigh. "I have... All night with you... For the last time before they send you away..."

Matthew gulped. "I don't want you to go."

"So..." Shiro trailed, looking up at Matthew. "Let's make it a night neither of us will forget... Seal our promise and forget about the Galra. Forget about the gladiator ring and forget about being far from home."

The younger man's breath hitched, then he nodded. "Yes... Yes, Shiro."

Shiro pushed himself up and cupped Matthew's cheek. Matthew leaned into his touch and sighed as Shiro kissed him.

The older man gently pushed Matthew back onto the cold floor, keeping their lips connected.

That night really was a night never to forget. For Matthew, anyway.

~

Matthew was confused at first. He was tired and ached all over.

"Do not fear!" An unfamiliar voice shouted. "We are rebels of the Galran empire! Follow us, and you'll be free from their tyranous claws!"

Matthew rushed out of the room, coughing into his arm and squinting through the smoke. He rushed out, following other prisoners which followed a rebel.

He really wanted Shiro. Maybe Shiro was with them. He'd heard that the Champion had help escaping.

Maybe he'll finally get to see Shiro again.

~

Matthew was never good with firearms. Alien blasters were no different. However, he had become pretty skilled with a staff. Only issue with a staff was that it can't be used in long-range combat.

Shiro wasn't with the rebels.

However, he heard more about the Champion.

He heard about Voltron. Rumors spread quick, then the rumors were even quicker to be confirmed.

"Champion is the black paladin, leader of Voltron." Corzoks muttered to Matthew.

Matthew blinked owlishly at the General. "But... It's been confirmed? How?"

Corzoks sat beside Matthew, placing a large, scaly hand on Matthew's shoulder. "Lieutenant Sanger ran into the paladins and met them. Sanger had seen the Champion once and recognized him immediately. Sanger also said that he almost thought the green paladin was you."

Matthew chuckled and shook his head. "No, sir. I'm just here. I'm no paladin of Voltron. Is there any progress on my father?"

The General nodded. "Yes. He's healing well, but he will need to eat once he's out of the infirmary." Matthew nodded, muscles relaxing. Corzaks smiled and ruffled Matthew's lengthy hair. "You're strong, Matthew." Matthew smiled up at the General, then watches him walk away.

~

Shiro...

There he was...

After so long, there's Shiro.

Matthew chokes and drops his staff. "Shiro!" He cried, feet planted to the ground.

His head whips up. That wound had scared. However, he was still so handsome. His grey eyes widened and his shoulders raised slightly. "Matthew?" He asked, then bolted forward. "Matthew!"

Their arms were thrown around one another in a tight embrace. "Matthew... Matthew, you're okay... You're okay... I've been looking for you and... You're okay..."

"Matthew?"

Shiro stepped back and Matthew turned to face the familiar voice. "Katie?"

The young girl wilted in relief and they embraced. "Matthew! Matthew, Matthew, Matthew!" Katie sobbed into his shoulder, holding him tighter and tighter.

"I'm alright, Katie... I'm okay."

~

"Quite the place."

Shiro jumped, then pivoted to look at Matthew. He relaxed and smiled. "Yeah. It is. You get used to it." Matthew hummed and nodded, making his way over. He paused at the guilty expression that washed over Shiro's face. "I'm so sorry... For hurting you back at the ring."

Matthew blinked, then tilted his head. "What are you talking about?"

"When I attacked you... At the gladiator ring." Shiro carded his fingers through his hair and closed his eyes. "That's the last time,we had seen each other, and I had-"

"What?" Matthew cut him,off and,furrowed his brows. "What- no... No, that wasn't the last time we had seen each other." Shiro looked so puzzled. "You... Don't remember?"

Shiro leaned back against a wall and pressed the heels of his hands into his forehead. "I don't... Remember much... Just bits and pieces... I'm sorry, Matthew, I-... I wish I knew what you're talking about, I just-"

"It's okay..." Matthew murmured, taking Shiro's hands. "It's okay... It's not your fault." Shiro looked up at Matthew. Matthew smiled softly, holding Shiro's hands to his chest. "Just... I hope you remember. It's the only good memory I have of my whole time in the prison. Of my whole time in space."

A smile curled Shiro's lips. Matthew released Shiro's flesh hand to have both hands on the prosthetic. Matthew closed his eyes and pressed his lips to the odd, skin-like fabric of the fingers. Matthew heard Shiro gulp. The younger man trailed his lips down the palm of the prosthetic, then kissed the metallic wrist. Shiro's breath caught in his throat.

Matthew's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Shiro through his lashes. "I'll just help you recreate the memory for just until you remember." Shiro slowly nodded, licking his chapped lips.

Matthew had to still stretch on his toes and tug Shiro down, put he managed to initiate a kiss with Shiro. A deep, sweet kiss Matthew didn't want Shiro to forget anytime soon.

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