Archive of Our Own ^beta

Lareina had hit another slump. She was curled up in bed and hadn't really said a word since they came back from getting groceries. Keith had seen the look on her face when an old classmate from the garrison had called out to her at the store. They hadn't known; Lareina hadn't been out during their school years. No, she hadn't even realized this part of her until after getting sucked into space. “Lance” didn't exist anymore.

Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head, you feel left out
Or looked down on

She had a great support system between her husband, Keith's family and her own. The McClains welcomed both of them with open arms, Lareina already having started to identify as such when they went home for the first time since becoming Paladins. That support would be greatly needed back on Earth, as things were still rocky for people like her back home.

Just try your best
Try everything you can
And don't you worry what they tell themselves
When you're away

When she fell apart, Lareina fell hard. Keith was always there to pick up the broken pieces of his lover, making sure to be her rock. Originally, Keith only had the strength to look after himself. He'd had time to grow while they'd been in space; to be someone that could look after others. Not only had he become the leader in Shiro's stead, Lareina found the most comfort in his presence. She always had, but it was even more so as she began the path of becoming who she was meant to be.

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right, all right

In some ways, the cockiness had mellowed out drastically since their days in the garrison. But, in others, it had gotten worse. Lareina felt like, now more than ever before, that she had something to prove. Her attitude growing up had been because she didn't feel right, but couldn't place why. People would misgender her often, as she didn't fit society's vision of what was deemed physically feminine. There were times Keith had to hold his little fierabrás back, days she had to do the same to him, and then there were days like today.

Hey, you know they're all the same
You know you're doing better on your own
So don't buy in

Keith loved Lareina with every fiber of his being. She still had a ways to go until she hit the finish line. He made sure to be there for every bit of her transition. The therapy, the medications, the surgeries, all of it. Whatever it took to make her feel comfortable. He even helped with the shots until she was confident enough to do it herself. But, sometimes, it wasn't enough. There was always someone with something rude and awful to say.

Live right now
Yeah, just be yourself
It doesn't matter if it's good enough
For someone else

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right, all right

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right, all right

Lareina had been through so much, before and after finding herself. Keith just wanted her to be happy and was always worried about her when she'd break down like this. She was his life and she deserved to be treated like, as her name suggested, a princess. A queen. Royalty. Why did she have to keep getting knocked down after coming so far?

Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head, you feel left out
Or looked down on

Just do your best
Do everything you can
And don't you worry what their bitter hearts
Are gonna say

Deciding comfort food was on the menu for the day, Keith recalled all the cooking lessons she had given him since they'd moved in together upon returning to Earth after the war ended. Lareina was deeply immersed in her culture and lived every day as such. Keith, in contrast, didn't have many ties to his muddled, Korean heritage, feeling more involved with his Galran DNA. This meant he knew more Cuban/Hispanic cooking as a result, not that he minded in the slightest.

With a plate full of tajadas, Keith walked down the hallway to their bedroom, taking his steps lightly. His heart broke as he heard crying on the other side of the door, open just the barest crack. Rapping lightly with the knuckle of one finger, he eased his way inside. Hearing sniffles, he got slightly closer as she became quiet.

“Babe?”

“...I smell plantains...” Lareina peeked out from her cotton cocoon, ocean blue eyes catching Keith's indigo ones first before dropping her gaze a bit to see the dessert in front of her, loaded with whipped cream. “Awwww, Keithy!” As her eyes twinkled, a large smile took over Keith's face. He bent forward to catch her lips with his own, giving the plate to her as he did so.

Shifting around, Lareina made space for him. Keith sat behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Holding the plate with one hand, Lareina placed her free hand over his once they were clasped on her stomach. Keith rested his chin on her shoulder, giving her freckled neck a quick peck. As the only sounds in the room became the fork hitting the plate as she ate her homemade treats, Keith softly sang to fill in the space.

“It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right, all right

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right”