Nyle POV

When I woke up, I noticed Keith was still there and sleeping. And I woke up before him, for once. I stretched and got up before changing. I heard something behind me and looked to see Keith sitting up and rubbing his head.

I smiled and turned to him. "Well good morning."

He looked over and smiled. "You're awake already?"

I hum and buttoned the last few buttons on my shirt. "Yep. I woke up before you for once. You sleep well?"

"Yeah, I slept alright. What about you?" He asked.

"Probably one of my best sleeps yet. I don't what it was but I just slept good, ya know?" I said.

He let out a tired laugh and smiled. "Yeah, I know those."

Before I could say a word, I heard Veronica's voice come on the intercom saying something about going to a carnival on a planet. 

"Oh geez, I know this planet. Great, can't wait," I muttered, putting my hair up into two buns.

"What's so weird about this planet?" Keith asked.

"Oh, yeah. You weren't with us for this. But, I guess the planet leader is kind of stingy," I replied.

He laughed some as he started to get dressed. "Sounds like a fun day then. Come on, we should get something to eat before we get there."

I waited for him to finish getting dressed before walking with him to the cafe.

"You think we'll win any prizes worth our while?" I questioned.

He laughed and looked at me. "Well, they'll probably be better than the carnival prizes back on earth."

I snickered as we walked into the cafe. "You're probably right, to be honest."

                                                                                           (((((***)))))

After we had eaten and before we left, Shiro had stopped all of us.

"I want you all to enjoy yourselves today. The celebration ends in five vargas. It's important to remember that while the Atlas patrols the skies, we are the eyes and ears on the ground looking for any suspicious activity. These people are relying on us," Shiro said. 

We all headed down to the surface, landing our lions before coming out of them. We all met up on the ground near the carnival as Coran approached us.

"I pulled some string and got each of you ten complimentary tokens," He said, handing us some tokens. "Use them for games, food, and rides."

"Where's Allura?" Pidge asked.

"She's going to stay back and rest," Lance replied. "I just need to find something to bring back for her."

"That's nice of you, Lance," Pidge said. "I'll help too."

"Me, three," Hunk said.

"Count me in," I said, smiling.

"Let's remember why we came here in the first place," Keith interjected. "To provide security for the event."

"Right. Well, I better go find the arcade and make sure it's safe, yeah!" Pidge exclaimed before bolting.

"Uh, me, too!" Lance said, following Pidge.

"Me, three!" Hunk exclaimed before running.

"Uh, wait for me!" Coran shouted, tipping away.

I laughed and shake my head. "Let them have fun, Keith. All they've been doing is going on missions. And besides, we need this."

"She's right Keith, relax. Go have fun," Shiro added.

"If we're not here for protection, then what are we doing here?" Keith asked.

"Morale on the Atlas is low after what happened on Oriande. Who knows? A few hours at a carnival might give us the boost we need to get back on track," Shiro said.

I smiled and grabbed onto Keith's hand. "Come on, will you have a little fun? For me, Keith?"

He looked at me and sighed before smiling. "Fine, fine. I'll relax and let loose a little. ONLY a little."

I laughed and started pulling him with me. "Well then come on!"

I played a few games with him just kind of standing there. I tried to get him to play but he always said he was fine just watching.

Eventually, I stopped trying and let him stand off to the side. We ran into Hunk after a while and I went over to him as he was eating a kind of popsicle.

"Hey, Hunk! How's the carnival?" I asked.

He looked over and smiled. "Oh, it's great! There's so much food! How's your experience?"

I sighed and looked over to where Keith was talking to some of the people. "It could be better. I'm trying to get him to let loose. But, he won't let his guard down even a little bit."

"Well, maybe I could try and talk to him?" Hunk questioned.

I grumbled and rolled my eyes. "You can try."

Hunk walked over to Keith as the two kids ran off. "Hey-o! Whatcha doing, Keith? Making new friends? Sweet. It's good to see you finally letting your guard down."

"I wasn't making friends," Keith replied.

"Come on! You're holding the line up! Let's go!" An operator said.

"The line? The line for what?" Hunk asked.

The operator pointed behind us to show an entire line of people. He pulled Keith and Hunk into the little carriage as the safety belt went down.

"Oh. Uh, no, no, you don't understand. I don't like rides," Hunk said.

"Then why were you in line?" The operator asked.

"We didn't know it was a line," Keith said.

"Likely story," He replied.

"Well, what about here? She's with us!" Hunk said, pointing to me.

"Only two to a cart," The operator said.

I laughed and rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "I'll wait out here guys. And besides, this will give you two some time to bond."

"Oh, you are evil," Hunk replied.

I smiled sweetly and laughed before rolling my eyes.

"Now, keep your hands and feet in the mouth at all times. You use 'em, you lose 'em. Have a blissfully burrowful time," The operator said.

I smiled as the ride started moving, waving to them. "Have fun~"

They disappeared into the ride and I laughed, walking away. 

I looked around and hummed softly before seeing Ryan and Griffin playing a shooting game, close to one that was on Earth. I went over and stood next to Veronica and Acxa.

"Hey, what's going on here?" I asked.

"They made a bet to see who could make the most shots. It's amusing to watch," Acxa responded.

I laughed and rolled my eyes, shaking my head. "Of course they did. Who are you guys thinking is gonna win? I've got my money on Ryan."

"I don't know, James is giving him a run for his money," Veronica added.

"You and I should go against each other Ny, we used to do that all the time!" Nadia exclaimed.

I smiled and laughed softly. "Sure. Sounds like fun."

In the end, James won and I stepped up with Nadia. "May the best woman win," I said.

"Right, me," She replied.

I rolled my head and laughed softly as the game started. I took as many shots as I could while Nadia did the same. She tried to throw me off a couple of times and only one time did she succeed. Though it came to a tie by the end of the game.

We each got a plush to pick from and I smiled at her. "Guess we've both gotten better at our aim huh?"

She laughed and smiled back at me. "I guess so."

"I'm gonna go find Keith and Hunk. I left them alone on a ride. I bet they both hate it," I said, laughing.

"Alright, have fun, Nyle!" Veronica said as I walked off. 

I found them along with Pidge, Lance, and Coran crowded together. I smiled as I walked over.

"Hey. Wow, nice trophy. Damn," I said to Coran.

"Nyle, don't ever let me on a ride ever again. It, was, horrible," Keith said, holding my arm.

I raised my eyebrow up before laughing. "It couldn't have been that bad."

"Believe me, it was awful," Keith replied.

"Hey, has anyone seen Shiro? Keith and I just kinda left him at the beginning," I said.

"I don't know, we should go find him," Coran said.

We started walking around before walking into a tent, finding Shiro and someone else up on a stage.

"Whoa, this looks so cool! We gotta watch!" I shouted as we went up front, watching.

"Ladies and burrowmen, are you ready to crown an arm wrestling champion?" The leader of the planet had said as we cheered. "First up is our challenger, former Paladin of Voltron and the current captain of the IGF Atlas. Hailing from some tiny planet no one has ever heard of, it's Shiro!"

A light fell on Shiro as we yelled and cheered for him, the rest of the audience booing as he walked up to the table. 

"And our reigning champion, who needs no introduction, let's hear it for the Warden!" The leader shouted as a light came down on the opponent.

Lance and Pidge stared, completely in shock, like they knew him or something. And Slav hid behind Pidge.

"You!" The Warden yelled, walking to the table, linking arms with Shiro.

They started talking but we were too far back to hear them, so we just watched.

"What are they talking about? Does Shiro know him?" I asked.

"That's the guy who ran the prison where Slav was at," Pidge said.

"And he was annoying to deal with," Lance added.

"That guy??" I exclaimed.

"Now, let's put on a show!" The Warden exclaimed as the match started.

"Rip his arm off! Rip his arm off!" Coran yelled.

"You got this!" Pidge shouted.

"Come on, Shiro!" I shouted.

A few moments later, Shiro managed to put down the Warden's arm. We started cheering and I jumped up and down.

We went up on stage and lifted him up, holding up as he looked at us confused but then got into it.

The Warden came over with an arm-wrestling armband, putting it on Shiro. "You're all right, Shiro."

We stayed a bit longer to do a few more things before eventually, we went back to our lions, laughing and having a good time. We went back up to the Atlas as I put my lion back in my hangar, still high on the adrenaline.

I laughed as I held the couple of prizes I had won. I started heading back to my room and put the little plushies on the dresser. I heard the door open and smiled seeing Keith walk through the door with a little bracelet with charms of the Voltron lions on it.

"What's that you got?" I asked.

He walked over to me and held my hand, putting the bracelet on my wrist. "I know I wasn't the best today so I thought I'd try to make it up to you. I asked Pidge if she had any leftover tickets and she gave me what she had so I went and got you this. Maybe, this will make up for the fact that I sort of just left you in the dust?"

I smiled softly and looked at the bracelet before looking at him. "I won't lie, I'm a little upset you didn't really do anything with me. But, I'm glad you recognized that more than just getting me this."

He gave me a smile and hugged me. "I'm sorry, Nyle. I'll try to be a little more fun next time we have the chance."

I hugged him and held onto him tightly. "You better. I don't want to have to force it down your throat. And besides, when this is all done, we can stuff like this with Mere. Do more things like a family."

I heard him let out a small, but hearted laugh. "That sounds nice. It'll be awesome to do things like that with her. Give her the chance to be a kid."

"It does, doesn't it. I wish we could see her, hold her. I want my baby," I said.

"We'll see her soon. It won't be like this forever. We're close to finishing this war, I can feel it."

"I hope you're right. I miss her. And I'm sure she misses us," I added.

"Why don't we call your mom? Talk to her and check on Mereida," Keith suggested.

I thought for a moment before smiling. "I'd like that."

We sat on the bed as I grabbed a communicator that Pidge had modified for me and Keith to see Mereida and not just hear her.

I called my mom and waited a few moments, leaning my head on Keith's shoulder as he held my hand.

After a few rings, we got an answer. I smiled and sat up. "Hey, mom."

"Hi, Mrs. Garrett," Keith said.

"Nyle, Keith, it's good to see you. How are things up on the Atlas?" She asked.

"Good, they're good. We're making a lot of progress and hopefully be home sooner than we thought. Is, is it ok if Keith and I talk to Mereida?"

She smiled at me and chuckled. "You're missing her, aren't you? Well, she's with your sister. I'll get Maria down here, hold on."

She left and soon came back with Maria holding Mereida. I almost teared up upon seeing her.

I smiled and squeezed Keith's hand. "Hi, baby. Wow, look at you. You've gotten so big!"

She smiled when she had seen us and laughed. "Mommy! Daddy!"

"Hey, little squeaky," Keith said.

"She's definitely gotten bigger. And she's been talking more and it's becoming clearer. She's very advanced for her age, it's almost scary," Maria said.

I laughed some and hummed softly. "Well, you can thank her dad for that."

"It's nice to see you both. You guys look older, it's crazy," My mom said.

"Being out all the time, I'm sure something's making us look older than we want," Keith replied, making my mom laugh.

"I'm sure. Say, Keith? What's your favorite thing to eat? I'll make it for you and Nyle when you guys come back," My mom said.

"I don't really have a favorite thing to eat. I'm alright with anything. And you don't have to cook for us. It's alright," Keith replied.

"Oh, nonsense. I want to welcome you back with something to eat. A homecooked meal is the best for anyone. Now, tell me what you like honey," She said.

I smiled and laughed softly. "You really liked my mom's recipe for that parmesan chicken when Hunk made it."

"I did like that, yeah," Keith added.

"Well, I'll be sure to make it! Let me know when you guys are coming home!" My mom said. "I'll let you both talk with Mereida now."

I smiled and looked at Mereida. "Hi, honey. You like being at grandma and grandpa's house?"

She laughed and squealed some. "Yeah! Yeah!"

I laughed some and hummed softly. Keith smiled as he held the communicator. "We're glad you're having fun. We miss you."

"Miss daddy too," Mereida said. 

"Hey, she understands us more. That's something huh?" I said. 

"Yeah, it is. Hey, Mere. While mommy and daddy are up here, you'll be good for grandma and grandpa right?" Keith said.

Mereida nodded her head and smiled as she laughed more before running off, coming back with one of the drawings I had left in my room. It was one of Keith I had done of him before we had left on the Atlas and one I had done of Mereida.

(A/N: Credit to the artist for doing an amazing job at a realistic drawing of our boy and the one of our imaginary baby Mereida)

"Daddy!" She yelled.

He smiled and laughed some. "Is that how you see me?"

I rolled my eyes and laughed softly. "I was bored ok? But yes, that's how I see my beautiful boyfriend."

He laughed a little more before looking back at the screen. "It is me huh? Let's see the other one squeaky."

She held it up to the screen, giggling a bunch.

"Wow, you look so pretty. Mommy did a good job huh?" Keith said.

Mereida nods and laughed some, grabbing something off the counter and showing it to us. It was a little drawing of three stick people in front of a house.

"What's that baby?" I asked.

"Mommy, daddy, and me!" She yelled, laughing as she pointed to each of us.

I smiled and laughed softly. "That's us? Is that our house?"

She nodded and smiled. "Yeah! And Komo!"

I laughed softly and shake my head. "Kosmo is with us too?"

She nodded and smiled while bouncing.

"Alright, little lady. It's time for you to be getting to bed. Say 'bye-bye' to mommy and daddy," Maria said.

Mereida pouted and whined. "Nooo."

Keith smiled and laughed softly. "Mereida, listen to aunt Maria ok?"

"Ok," She replied sadly.

"We love you, squeaky. Night-night," Keith said.

She smiled and waved. "Night-night. Love you!" Maria picked her up and headed upstairs with her.

My mom smiled and laughed softly. "She's a little troublemaker. Just like someone I know."

I laughed and rolled my eyes. "I know mom. And, thanks for watching Mereida while we're up here."

"No problem, honey. Now, you guys should get some sleep. Goodnight, I love you both," She said.

I smiled and laughed softly. "We love you too, mom. Bye."

I hung up and sighed, laying back on the bed. "I know you miss them, but we'll be out of here soon."

I hum and pursed my lips. "I know. I just, it's getting hard Keith."

He lays next to me and held my hand. "It's gonna be alright, I promise."

I smiled at him and kissed his cheek. "Well, you heard my mom. Let's get some rest."

He laughed and held me close. "Right. I love you, night."

"I love you too, night,"