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Chapter Text

Shiro can finally see the Red Lion…

His side aches fiercely, stubbornly reminding him that he just had a run-in with Haggar. He's been running to Keith, unknowing of his condition since his comms system couldn't pick up his best friend's own. He's lucky that his helmet is showing him where to go, a giant arrow floating over the rocky ground not too far from the Black Lion. But with gravity being around 25 meters squared, it's not easy running anywhere. He avoided giant lizard creatures who clearly wanted to eat him alive, got over a huge chasm by himself with a broken jetpack, ran past hidden gysters of freezing cold water, and finally, finally reached the downed Red Lion.

The lion looks...wounded. The red ship rests collapsed on her belly, paws splayed outward. Shiro can see the new cuts and scraps from up at the lid of the bowl-shaped crater he stands on. The lion is out, no lights visible at all. But that makes sense, since he barely hears Black in his own head. Both lions are weak, needing time to heal themselves.

"Keith!" He shouts, starting down the hill. It's steep but nothing he can't handle. It takes him precious minutes to arrive at the Red Lion's head.

The lion's jaws open roughly with a terrible crunching noise. Shiro winces at the echoing sound as well as his side twitching in a mini spasm, burning like lightning. He grunts before bracing himself against Red's open jaw.

"Th-Thanks," Shiro nods at Red, trying to catch his breath as the pain lightens some, "I'll make sure you're paladin is okay. I got him."

The lion doesn't make a sound. Shiro doesn't expect her to, so he waddles onto the metal floor, making his way down barely lit halls, into the lion's head. The cockpit is only colored by tiny red emergency lights, but Shiro's eyes have adjusted to the darkness. Walking around the seat, he winces at the sight.

Keith is limp as can be, unconscious. His head rests against his dashboard, helmet cracked in the front. A bit of blood pools from his left temple, flowing down one cheek onto the metal at his chin. The lights make it look like oil, black as midnight. At the same time, Keith's right arm is against his chest, between the dashboard and his cracked plate. His left still hangs onto the yoke weakly. It's likely Keith hasn't woken up yet, and if he did, it was for only a little bit here and there.

"Keith," Shiro frowns before gently moving the younger. Said Red Paladin groans softly, starting to wake up. Shiro feels his side give a painful kick, but he doesn't even move or indicate his discomfort. He's focused on Keith. Keith is hurt more than he is, "Keith. Come on, buddy. Answer me. Say something. Come on."

"Sh-" Keith's eyelids flutter before he grunts in pain, voice somewhat breathless. Dark eyes slide open, hazy and unfocused. They blink a few times before moving towards his face, "Sh-'ro…"

"I'm here," Shiro smiles softly before gently placing his hand over Keith's shoulder, holding him upright, "What's hurting?"

"Ribs…" Keith lets go of the yoke, groaning as he accidentally shifts. A few breaths later, he goes on, "Arm...head…"

Shiro nods even though he knows Keith won't see it. He also knows he shouldn't move the younger, but the position he is in is too stressful. Already, he can hear Keith's breathing picking up to try to ease the tension on his abused ribs.

"Let's get you outside," he says softly before beginning to pull Keith into his arms. No way he carries him will be comfortable but he wants to try his best. Just as he gets Keith out of the seat, his side reminds him violently that he is hurt too. He nearly drops Keith, the younger noticing it.

"I...ca-can wa-walk," he exclaims shakily, attempting to get to his feet, "I'm...I'm...fine…"

He's not. As soon as his feet touch the floor, he sways precariously, paling even more until he's ghastly white. Shiro barely catches him as he flops over. The wound on Shiro's right stabs burning pain up his side as he holds onto Keith and prevents him from getting an even worse concussion. Sweat pours down his face, dripping onto his armor like tears.

"How about we help each other," Shiro compromises, knowing he won't be able to get Keith out of the cockpit in his current state, and that Keith is hardheaded enough to try and walk his way out on his own power, "Lean on me."

Keith does without question, a bit slow but very trusting. Shiro makes good use of that trust, becoming Keith's crutch to get him down the cockpit, through the halls, and back out the way he came. Keith winces deeply at the light before they choose a spot in the shade, just between Red's massive claws. It's sheltered and protected, yet still far enough to not feel claustrophobic or block out the breeze. They both collapse at the base of her toes, not having a lot of room. Neither complain as Shiro rests Keith's head against his shoulder.

"When Coran and Allura get here," Shiro gently rubs his fingers through damp, crusty locks, careful of hidden bumps and bruises, "They'll get you into a pod. You'll be okay."

"You...too," Keith peers up at him, the blood on his temple drying to a brown-maroon, "Nothing's...going to...happen to...you...gonna make...it…"

Shiro smiles softly. Keith...he's a breath of fresh air. In a world that likes to tell Shiro what he will do, how he should live, how long he has to live...Keith has only ever looked at him and asked how high they were going to go. How far they would explore the universe. How much they can handle. Together. He's damn lucky to have such a loyal friend.

"I'm gonna make it," Shiro nods before hugging Keith as close as he dares without causing unnecessary strain. He's beginning to believe that he just might make it out of here alive. That his disease really has nothing on him, "And when we do, I think there's something I should say to you. But for now, I need to keep you awake."

"Mhhhmmm…" Keith blinks before settling down a bit more, "Wha...we talkin' 'bout?"

"I don't know," Shiro shrugs with his unoccupied shoulder, "Maybe we can explore the universe after the war."

"You...me?" Keith asks softly, so softly as his wounded arm rests over Shiro's chest, avoiding the wound, "Together?"

"Yeah, just us," Shiro smiles fondly before rubbing Keith's hairline more, "Just you and me, buddy. I haven't seen those grey-spotted lion people you crafted up a few years ago yet…"

"Me 'either," Keith answers back quietly before laughing slightly, stopping because of the aching (maybe broken) ribs, "Or those...those rainbow cat aliens you made up."

"I bet they can purr and everything," Shiro chuckles softly, "The universe is so big. If Earth was untouched, I can say other planets also haven't had outside visitors. Maybe we'll find some."

"Yeah," Keith stares out the claws to the rocky landscape and the setting sun, "Us?"

"Yeah," Shiro nods before rubbing Keith's cheek comfortingly, "Us."

And he would fight his hardest to make that a reality. No matter how many times it takes...

Chapter Text

Shiro can finally see the Red Lion…

His side aches fiercely, stubbornly reminding him that he just had a run-in with Haggar. He's been running to Keith, unknowing of his condition since his comms system couldn't pick up his best friend's own. He's lucky that his helmet is showing him where to go, a giant arrow floating over the rocky ground not too far from the Black Lion. But with gravity being around 25 meters squared, it's not easy running anywhere. He avoided giant lizard creatures who clearly wanted to eat him alive, got over a huge chasm by himself with a broken jetpack, ran past hidden gysters of freezing cold water, and finally, finally reached the downed Red Lion.

The lion looks...wounded. The red ship rests collapsed on her belly, paws splayed outward. Shiro can see the new cuts and scraps from up at the lid of the bowl-shaped crater he stands on. The lion is out, no lights visible at all. But that makes sense, since he barely hears Black in his own head. Both lions are weak, needing time to heal themselves.

"Keith!" He shouts, starting down the hill. It's steep but nothing he can't handle. It takes him precious minutes to arrive at the Red Lion's head.

The lion's jaws open roughly with a terrible crunching noise. Shiro winces at the echoing sound as well as his side twitching in a mini spasm, burning like lightning. He grunts before bracing himself against Red's open jaw.

"Th-Thanks," Shiro nods at Red, trying to catch his breath as the pain lightens some, "I'll make sure you're paladin is okay. I got him."

The lion doesn't make a sound. Shiro doesn't expect her to, so he waddles onto the metal floor, making his way down barely lit halls, into the lion's head. The cockpit is only colored by tiny red emergency lights, but Shiro's eyes have adjusted to the darkness. Walking around the seat, he winces at the sight.

Keith is limp as can be, unconscious. His head rests against his dashboard, helmet somehow whole. Shiro quickly checks him over, not touching him in fear of causing unseen damage. The younger doesn't seem injured at all, resting there as if he decided to take a quick nap. Shiro inspects his neck, feeling a weak pulse.

"Keith," Shiro frowns before gently moving the younger. Said Red Paladin doesn't make a single sound. Shiro feels his side give a painful kick, but he doesn't even move or indicate his discomfort. He's focused on Keith. Keith is hurt more than he is, "Keith. Come on, buddy. Answer me. Say something. Come on."

Nothing. Keith doesn't even move. The older man grits his teeth before pulling Keith up gently onto his arms, nearly dropping him as his side screams in pain. He ignores it in favor of placing Keith down on the floor beside the seat, on his back. The younger doesn't twitch or move or anything and Shiro's mind starts to panic. He's seen people die like this, silently taken in the midst of infection and thirst, starvation and pain. He used to be envious of it when he was in the arena. That some of his fellow prisoners got to pass peacefully in their sleep when so many of them had to fight and kill every day. When so many got torn to pieces, blood split on the sandy pit, used like puppets by the Galra.

But now he knows better. Peaceful deaths weren't always so. Sometimes it was worse. At least in the arena, you only hurt for minutes, hours, sometimes seconds. But when illness takes you...well, it's much more painful, the wait. Shiro knows. His muscular disease was a waiting game. When would he get too sick to pilot? When would he stop being independent? When would he no longer be able to breathe, to live?

He strips Keith. He takes off the armor before unzipping the undersuit to the younger's waist. He carefully inspects Keith for internal bleeding, but he sees no bruises at all. Keith looks healthy, so he couldn't have hit the dashboard. He just...won't wake up.

"Something's wrong," Shiro mutters before closing his eyes. He calls to Black, knowing their relationship is rocky as the planet they are on. He's still hurt that she had kicked him out where he had run into Haggar, "Black...Black...what's going on? Why isn't...why hasn't Keith moved yet?"

At first, he doesn't think Black will respond. She's still weak and they don't have as strong of a bond as they should have. But slowly, something trickles in. He get whispers from her, pictures zipping by too quickly to comprehend. He's about ready to tell her that when lightning races up his side. He grips Keith's hand tightly on accident, biting his lip until the pain fades out. When he can finally breathe, he feels Black gently poking his mind.

"I'm...I'm okay," he whispers quickly before sighing exhaustedly, plopping down by Keith's side. He doesn't let go of Keith's hand at all, "Just...Just got a wound that's getting bigger every day…"

He laughs at his dark humor before rubbing his face with his mechanical arm.

"Sorry, Black," he apologizes morosely after a minute, "So what's wrong with Keith?"

The lion shows him again, going much slower. He sees Keith and Red rush Zarkon. He watches in flashes as Zarkon strikes the two, large sword cutting through them as just before Shiro and Black appear to smash him back with a beam of energy. Shiro wants to ask why she's showing this if Keith didn't have physical wounds when more images come in.

It's the same fight. But this time, he sees something new. When Zarkon strikes the two, he glows purple, slashing out at the blur that is red. Said blur slows down for a moment, enough to see that it's Keith, who seems in shock, clenching his chest. His chest plate cracks in half, red stuff spraying out before Keith collapses on sight on his side. It's not blood that leaves him, but it is liquid that trails like a river around Keith's agonized body.

"Keith!" Shiro shouts before coming back to reality. Keith lies at his knees, unmoving. Shiro starts to plead with Black, "Black! What happened? Why is Keith hurt? Black!"

"This is the astral plane?" What sounds like Zarkon's voice, rings in his ears. Black's never given him words of any sort, so it's a surprise. He can't help but notice that Zarkon sounds...different. Kinder, "And when your astral body dies here, you die on the physical plane?"

The lion rumbles deeply in agreement before Shiro opens his eyes. She rumbles again, this time in apology.

"It's okay, Black, I'm not mad at you," he sighs sadly before clenching Keith's hand supportingly. Wherever Keith's spirit is, Shiro hopes he knows he is by his side, "I...I think I understand. Zarkon...was...is your paladin. You're having a hard time without him."

"Shiro's the head," Keith's voice echoes through his brain, courtesy of the lion. The voice changes to Allura's, "I'm afraid the Black Bayard was lost with its previous paladin…"

"Oh," Shiro blinks, "You're not sure who you want to support. You've fought many battles with Zarkon. You barely know me and have never met humans. You don't...you don't want to be hurt again. To be torn from your paladin."

He gets an idea. He can let Black know him. And a big part of Shiro is the one next to him. So he opens his mind to her. He shows her just what Keith means to him. That his best friend has always been by his side through thick and thin. Of a boy without purpose or hope, blooming like a flower deprived of sunlight when Shiro gave him the motivation to believe in himself. Of fire and strength giving Shiro the hope to live another day in his cell. To get back alive to his best friend. How he...how he loves Keith in every way, platonic and romantic and somewhere in between and outside.

"I love him," Shiro whispers before holding Keith close, "And I want to be here for him, even if that means he doesn't feel the same way."

Black huffs, as if disgusted and irritated, not in a cruel way but as if done with them. Shiro blinks, brows raising in confusion. Red grumbles around him, and he can tell she's impatient and sharp, even though she's not his lion. It's also the first noise he's heard from her in all these minutes.

Black shoots a photo into his mind of Keith. He's in the same position as last time, except this time a fiery red lion curls around him protectively, bits of her essence flowing into Keith's massive wound. The lion is clearly weak, however, as she barely glows.

"Red's giving her quintessence to Keith to heal him," Shiro guesses as his lion agrees, "But she doesn't have enough. We have to help him. Give him mine."

Black protests with what Shiro assumes is a hiss. An image of a person comes into his mind, the person shriveling into dust. Hot anger hits him at the same time ice courses his veins.

"I'm doing it, Black, whether you help me or not," Shiro frowns, clenching his fist, "I won't lose Keith. I can't lose Keith. He...he means everything to me. He's my universe. This life means nothing without him alive and happy and by my side."

The lion pulls back for a moment, seemingly in shock. Images slam into his mind of Zarkon and an...Altean meeting and getting married. It shows her getting very ill, and Zarkon vowing to save his wife because she was his greatest joy and love. Of him sacrificing both to get her back, offering her to a field of quintessence. Of them being poisoned into what Shiro knows them as today:

Zarkon and Haggar.

"I can't promise we won't do the same," Shiro says honestly after a moment, "I can't promise anything right now. But I won't give up on him, Black. I made a promise to him long ago that I would never give up on him. I'm not going to break that now."

The lion seems to regard him for a moment before growling deeply, giving in. At the same time, a very grumpy and heated roar comes from Red. Shiro doesn't get time to adjust before he's thrown somewhere new in a burst of light. 

It's a red fire-filled landscape. The flames do not hurt, nor do they scare Shiro who catches a glimpse of himself. His hand is cast in a scarlet glow, flickering lazily back and forth. The sky seems to have a few specks of stars, but it's not very noticeable. Black and Red growl slightly, pulling his attention to the middle of the endless void. 

Keith is still there, resting on his side. Where he's unconscious in the real world, here he isn't. He's shaking slightly, breathing erratically, and gasping quietly every few seconds like he's choking. More red liquid flows free, barely less than what Shiro saw before. Red is still there, but she looks even worse, barely an outline anymore. She's clearly panicked. Shiro can practically feel her fear and anguish. Even though he's not her pilot, he catches glimpses of a few images, getting sucked in. Zarkon cutting down a man with a glowing purple sword...an Altean in red armor. Red flaring to life as her previous paladin lost his life, reigning down fire. Being locked away like an animal, unable to mourn the loss as candidate after candidate is tossed her way. She accepts none, not even the strange foreign cub who is half-familiar. She refuses to be hurt again. To be used and abandoned like she is nothing.

But this one...he doesn't abandon her. He fights. He fights for her. He's willing to give his life to ensure her freedom. He knows what it's like to be left behind. To be treated like a mindless being. They both have feelings. And Red simply cannot lose another paladin again, not in the same way. Not like this. Not with this kind-hearted,  misunderstood, fiery cub. He's not even old enough to be at war, but she loves him anyway.

She can't lose him.

"We won't," Shiro speaks up, coming to her side, brushing his hand over her shoulder and his other over Keith's shoulder too, "I won't let it happen. Keith means just as much to me. Keith means everything to me."

Black forms to the opposite side of Keith, a bright purple color. But even Shiro can tell she isn't at her full power, since he can see straight through her. She may not be as faded as Red, but she's getting there as violet light flows to Keith's open chest plate.

"Sh-Sh-'ro," Keith whispers, eyes sliding to him slowly, obviously tired and hurt, "Sh-Sh…"

"I'm here, buddy," Shiro smiles softly before sitting down by his side. He gently places Keith's head into his lap, careless of the quintessence streaming down Keith's chin. They all know it's not from a bitten lip, "I'm not giving up on you, okay? Don't give up on yourself. We're going to heal you."

"Sh-'ro," Keith chokes out before nodding slightly. He grips Shiro's arm as best he can before calming down slightly, "I...you…"

"Relax, Keith," Shiro grins fondly before rubbing the other's back gently, "I got you. Let us help you, okay? Then we can talk."

Keith stares at him for a moment, eyes hazy before he relaxes slightly, closing his eyes. Red begins to glow a bit more as Black joins in. Shiro closes his own eyes, giving in to whatever is going on.

And that's when the magic happens.

One second, he doesn't feel a thing. Next, he feels like he's flying and falling at the same time, like G forces are grabbing him by his gut, throwing him downhill. Even with his eyes shut firmly, he sees light brace them all, an almost white with heavy patches of amethyst and ruby. He can feel as their quintessences join to create something much, much stronger. Visions hit him, zooming through Keith's life at the speed of light. Somehow, he catches it all, some of which he knows and others he doesn't. Keith's dad, his death, his mother not being around, the foster homes, the Garrison, the time alone in the desert mourning a dead man, the pull to explore the energy calling, getting Shiro back, the Red Lion, Voltron. He sees it all in the quickest of flashes. Opening his eyes, he stares in shock and awe as Keith's entire body lights up, spreading outward from his chest to his limbs and head. It looks like many rivers cutting through solid ground, bringing life back into him.

And then Keith lurches upright, letting out a tiny choked gasp before falling back onto Shiro weakly. The older gently grabs him into a hug, holding him upright. His form solidifies more as he calms, healing up every second, the glowing going down. Beside them, both lions disappear with twin rumbles, reassuring them that they are not going far. They need to recharge and rest though.

"Sh'ro?" Keith asks incredulously, eyes fluttering open. They're beautiful, especially because they glow just like fire.

"I'm here," he grins back before holding his best friend closer, "You're going to be okay."

"You...you too," Keith sends a tiny smile back before closing his eyes, "Tired…"

"I know," Shiro nods before brushing a hand through dark red locks, "I'll see you soon, okay? Just rest. I'm staying here."

Keith falls asleep against his neck, nose brushing his throat in that way he's always done. Shiro just chuckles softly before resting his head against Keith's own, breathing in his scent. He's so relieved that Keith is okay. It's not long before he also accidentally dozes off too.

When he wakes, he realizes that he's back in the physical world. Nothing glows except the emergency lights, and Red doesn't make a sound. Black is absent from his mind, but it makes sense. They both must heal up.

And Keith...he's breathing much better than before. He looks healthier overall. He's asleep, in a more peaceful state, still on his back.

Now that he's not absolutely focused on Keith, he expects his side to burn. But it doesn't. It feels much better than the last however long since he's been attacked by the witch. Glancing at his side, his eyes widen in shock at the healed scars showing over his ribs. The wounds don't have that poisonous glow anymore.

"Shit," Shiro blinks in shock before something flickers in the corner of his eye. He twists around to see Keith's hair tips changing colors, turning a dark magenta. Confused and a tiny bit concerned, he watches on as Keith's body changes. The changes flow downward like fire burning through grass, although it's clear Keith isn't getting burned at all. The younger man doesn't even stir from his sleep.

He sees round ears elongate into sharp points not unlike Allura's or Coran's, yet slightly different. Peach pale skin darkens into a smooth lavender as Keith's eyelashes grow thicker. The skin stays the same until it burns over his cheeks, twin stripes curling down each to the back of Keith's neck. The purple lights its way down, down, down. More stripes join Keith's chest and arms. Strangely, where Keith's astral wound was stays his original color, the surrounding skin purpling. When the purple reaches his fingertips, each nail lengthens into sharp claws. The skin fades to mauve furthur down under the skintight undersuit where Shiro can't see.

Keith moans slightly, twitching a little bit before rolling onto his side with a huff. Shiro raises both brows as something pokes out of his undersuit, burning into existence. It's a tail, slightly furry with the end tipped in black hair that also turns magenta. It grows until it is over the length of Keith's legs. Even then, it lengthens some more, bowing to rest on Keith's stomach. 

"Keith?"

Keith grumbles something Shiro can't make out.

"Buddy?" He leans over the other who seems to no longer be changing, "Keith. Wake up. Come on."

Slowly, dark eyes open. They're the same ones Shiro has known for years now, somewhere not-quite-purple-but-not-really-blue. But the sclera is a light golden now, looking a lot like some people who have haunted his dreams for months now but also nowhere near them.

"Shiro?" Keith asks softly, stretching a bit before rubbing his eyes. He sits straight up  before freezing. Wiggling in place, he frowns before tilting his head in confusion, "Shiro?"

That snaps Shiro into action. He could never doubt his best friend.

"It's okay," he gently places his hand over Keith's uncovered shoulder, "Everything is okay."

"I...wait, I...I was dying," Keith blinks before scrunching his nose in thought, "Zarkon...he got us. Wait, Red! Red!"

"She's okay," Shiro grips Keith's shoulder to ground him, "Black and Red are okay. They helped save you."

"I remember...you were there too," Keith stares at him, eyes wide before he softens some, smile happy, "You saved me, Shiro."

"Yeah," Shiro nods before being taken off guard as Keith practically pounces on him. He hugs the other tightly, reassuring himself that Keith's alive and well. A few minutes go by before he pulls back enough to look Keith in the eye, "Keith, there's something you should know…"

The younger gazes up at him for a moment before his eyes slide down to his arm that is clenching Shiro's armor. Keith stares at his arm like it's not his, something the older can relate to. He still feels like his mechanical one isn't part of him. Shiro waits to see Keith's reaction but notices soon enough that Keith seems...resigned?

"I'm...Galra," Keith says softly, flexing his fingers, "Guess we know why I fight like one now…"

"Keith?"

"I didn't know…" Keith bites his lip, wincing as sharp fangs nip him, "I just...had a feeling...my knife looks kind of like their symbol…"

Shiro has never seen Keith's blade, besides at a glance. The younger has always had it on his person outside of the Garrison, but it's always been wrapped. He watches as the younger man pulls it out, exposing a glowing symbol that almost looks like half of a knight's helmet. Yeah, it kind of does look like the Galra symbol but...something about it is familiar. Shiro puts it at the back of his mind as he comforts Keith with a hug. The smaller stiffens against him before relaxing.

"Keith, you know I'm not mad, right?" He asks softly before rubbing his back, "I don't care if you're the same race as the people who hurt me. Hell, I wouldn't care if you end up being one of their kids. You're Keith, my best friend. Turning purple doesn't change that you love dogs, you're reckless and protective, or that you are the one I trust to have my back. Besides, your dad...he must have fallen in love with your mother to have you. He doesn't strike me as an one-night-stand type of guy."

"You're...right," Keith nods before sighing, nuzzling into his neck before making a small noise, "What...about the team?"

"What about them?"

"They won't like me now," Keith hisses slightly before curling around him, "Nobody will. I'm part of the enemy…"

"They'll come around," Shiro sighs, closing his eyes before brushing his hand through thick hair at the base of Keith's neck. That gets a small pleased chirp from Keith, "And if they don't, we both go."

"But-" Keith's tail wraps around his wrist, "Voltron...everyone needs-"

"And Voltron isn't Voltron without you," Shiro smiles softly, opening his eyes to look into startled and unbelieving eyes, "Red wouldn't let you go. She stayed by your side the whole time. So did Black. And me...I...Keith, I can't do this without you."

"Yeah, you ca-"

"No," Shiro shakes his head, taking both of Keith's hands into his much larger ones, staring right into galaxy eyes, "I can't. It's you, Keith. You helped motivate me to go to Kerberos. To come back for you, even when I was captured. You're one of my biggest strengths. You're always protecting me, and now it's my turn to protect you."

"Thanks, Shiro," Keith grins before resting against his chest. A moment passes before his tail slaps his face. Keith glares at said appendage before hissing, "I think I have more things that changed than just my tail."

"Huh?" Shiro blinks until Keith gazes downward, "Oh...uhhh...We'll figure this out as we go. Coran can help us later…"

He holds Keith close, knowing they'll have to get something to eat and drink until the others arrive. But for now, they can focus on each other.

Chapter Text

Shiro can finally see the Red Lion…

His side aches fiercely, stubbornly reminding him that he just had a run-in with Haggar. He's been running to Keith, unknowing of his condition since his comms system couldn't pick up his best friend's own. He's lucky that his helmet is showing him where to go, a giant arrow floating over the rocky ground not too far from the Black Lion. But with gravity being around 25 meters squared, it's not easy running anywhere. He avoided giant lizard creatures who clearly wanted to eat him alive, got over a huge chasm by himself with a broken jetpack, ran past hidden gysters of freezing cold water, and finally, finally reached the downed Red Lion.

The lion looks...wounded. The red ship rests collapsed on her belly, paws splayed outward. Shiro can see the new cuts and scraps from up at the lid of the bowl-shaped crater he stands on. The lion is out, no lights visible at all. But that makes sense, since he barely hears Black in his own head. Both lions are weak, needing time to heal themselves.

"Keith!" He shouts, starting down the hill. It's steep but nothing he can't handle. It takes him precious minutes to arrive at the Red Lion's head.

The lion's jaws open roughly with a terrible crunching noise. Shiro winces at the echoing sound as well as his side twitching in a mini spasm, burning like lightning. He grunts before bracing himself against Red's open jaw.

"Th-Thanks," Shiro nods at Red, trying to catch his breath as the pain lightens some, "I'll make sure you're paladin is okay. I got him."

The lion doesn't make a sound. Shiro doesn't expect her to, so he waddles onto the metal floor, making his way down barely lit halls, into the lion's head. The cockpit is only colored by tiny red emergency lights, but Shiro's eyes have adjusted to the darkness. Walking inside the cockpit itself, he races to Keith's side when he sees him on the floor, on his side away from Shiro just behind the seat.

"Keith!"

Keith is limp as can be as Shiro gently twists him around the scope out the damage. His head rests against the floor heavily, free of any injuries if the whole helmet is anything to go by. Shiro quickly checks him over before gasping as his hand comes back wet with tacky blood that looks like oil because of the low lighting. Collapsing onto the slimy metal, trying to ignore the disturbing scent of iron in the air, he pulls Keith into his lap.

"Keith," Shiro frowns before gently moving the younger. Said Red Paladin doesn't make a single sound. Shiro feels his side give a painful kick, but he doesn't even move or indicate his discomfort. He's focused on Keith. Keith is hurt more than he is. Something is very wrong with his best friend, "Keith. Come on, buddy. Answer me. Say something. Come on."

Nothing. Keith doesn't even move. Shiro winces, trying not to let his thoughts go too dark. Keith's probably just...unconscious. It's a lot of blood, but some wounds bleed a lot. He's seen injuries in the arena that weren't life-threatening but certainly looked it. He just...should inspect where the blood is coming from.

He turns his wrist plate's light on, grunting at the struggle to do so. It finally pops on, flickering a bit. Must have taken a bit of damage when his jetpack got destroyed. He trains the light on Keith just as his side lights up with lightning. Slamming his eyes shut, he whimpers before waiting out the pain, unable to even breathe. It passes soon enough, so he takes a deep breath and looks at Keith.

It's much worse than Shiro had ever imagined.

Blood rushes over Keith's chest, falling in old rivers all around him, especially down the side he had fallen on. The chest plate is shattered terribly in the middle, as if stabbed through with a large blade from upper sternum to lower stomach. Even though he can't see Keith's back, he knows that whatever cut into his best friend slit through him completely, his back also wet with drying blood. Shiro quickly places his fingers to Keith's neck, waiting impatiently.

No heartbeat. No breathing. Nothing.

He quickly removes Keith's helmet, careless about the equipment before he gasps quietly. If he had doubts before, he doesn't now as a tiny sob leaves him. Keith's eyes are open, narrowed but wide enough to see his hazy gaze is dead as can be. Shiro has seen the look on people who have died before. In the cells, in the arena, at his hands. People who didn't want to die, who wanted to fight to live but couldn't make it.

Keith's...no...he can't be dead…

He glances up, seeing a thin but large slit through the Red Lion, to the right side of the pilot seat. Little bits of light shine through, not enough to notice at first. Even from where he sits, he can see pieces of metal plates and cords coming together ever-so-slowly in a way that only a half-sentient ship can. He clenches his fist, remembering Keith's cry as he and Black had rushed in to save them from Zarkon's blow.

He hadn't thought Zarkon had hit the pair. But the gaping hole, spray of glistening blood along the walls, and his best friend's body say otherwise. 

Everything fades and warps around him.

He doesn't feel the pain in his side. He doesn't notice Red rumbling around him. He doesn't hear Black in his mind, gently trying to gain his attention. He doesn't feel the cold air as night comes. Doesn't even taste the thick smell of blood in the air anymore. He doesn't feel Keith's body going even colder or the blood drying on his hands and knees.

He just cradles Keith close, pressing his forehead to Keith's cheek. Instinctively, he reaches up to close Keith's eyes, feeling just as tad bit better at the unrealistic thought that Keith is just napping. If this were a normal day, free of a 10,000-year war, he could be here having a lazy day with his best friend. He could be holding him close, convincing him that he would watch out for any danger. Keith's always been a light sleeper, so Shiro knows how much it means to have someone trusted there.

"Come on, Keith," he begs quietly, chest heaving unevenly as he runs his dirty fingers through silky strands at the base of Keith's neck, "It's not your time. You're...you're supposed to be around longer than me. Who's supposed to take over Voltron now?"

He grits his teeth, anger flooding his veins. It's not often he feels this way. His grandpa had always preached kindness and patience, and Shiro has genuinely followed through with it. But he feels angry now.

Angry at Zarkon for causing the whole fucking universal war that has torn people apart. Angry at Keith for being so utterly fucking stupid and taking on the dictator who has run the universe for 10,000 years and thinking that he doesn't mean anything to anyone. Angry at Voltron for even existing, leading Keith to this. Angry at Red for allowing Keith to take the fight head-on. Angry at the universe and Black for not getting there on time. Angry at fucking Haggar for holding him up and at the others for not freeing him sooner.

But most importantly, he's angry at himself. He's pissed that he's the one who led Keith here...to his death. If Keith hadn't known him, his life would have been so much better. He'd still be alive. He wouldn't have crash landed into a hard pan surface at around 25 meters per second squared. He never would have been searching for the Blue Lion in the desert. He never would have followed Shiro into space to be sucked into an unknown war. He'd be alive...

If it wasn't for you, my life would have been a lot different, Shiro practically hears Keith's voice like crisp chimes, a small tingle in the air, I'm here, Shiro. I'm not going anywhere. You've never given up on me, so I won't either.

"Don't leave, Keith," Shiro sobs, noticing for the first time that tears are streaming down his cheeks, landing on Keith's own face, giving the perfect illusion that Keith is alive. He's not, "I need you, baby…"

He swears he feels something against his back, almost like he's getting a hug from behind. But there's nothing there when he checks, nothing but dead silence, thick air, and a heavy cloud of agony. Breathing is harder, whether from the wound to his side or the cold body in his arms. He knows he should get up and get them situated. He should have a fire for warmth and try to clean up the mess.

But he can't.

All he sees is death and blood and all the people he's been forced to kill. People he secretly enjoyed maiming into bits and chunks. Because in the rings, when forced to survive, one starts to live off the pain and thrill of the fight. One became a monster. There was no other way. No other thing he could do.

All monsters do is hurt everyone around them.

And he's always been good at that. Adam, Sam, Matt, everyone who put faith in him to pilot the Kerberos mission well, his team now, Keith...no wonder he never had any real relationships. He's always let them slip through his fingers or caused them to disappear…

No, you haven't, he can hear the softness and determination in not-there Keith's voice, You're not a monster, Shiro. You are a survivor. You came back to me when no one else did. You did what you had to. I get it. I'm not mad. Never.

Shiro chuckles darkly before placing one hand over his shoulder where it feels like someone would have their head in a hug. His chest bursts with physical and mental pain when his fingers land on slightly dented armor. His armor.

Of course...he's alone. Keith is gone. Keith is dead. He's never coming back. 

Time shifts more. He doesn't care until he hears something outside of Red. It's not Keith or the lions. It's more than one person. His mind automatically slips into Champion mode. If it's the Galra, they won't get Keith. Never. He would not let them have him. They took everything else from him. His arm, his crew, a year of his life, his sanity, his dreams.

They would never have him. Never.

He lights up his arm just as someone walks up the cockpit, clenching Keith close. His side lights up like acid eating away at his flesh, racing through his veins. He ignores it. He's had much worse.

They would not be taking Keith away. Not unless they kill him too. They would not be separating them in every way. No, never again.

"Shiro?"

He doesn't know who that is. He doesn't care as he hunches over Keith's body more.

🦁❤🖤🦁🦁🖤❤🦁

Keith knows he's dead.

He still remembers the wound he'd gotten from Zarkon. The man's sword - the Black Bayard, Shiro's missing bayard - had ripped through Red's side like her body was paper, the tip stabbing straight into Keith's chest as he twisted in surprise. How he had choked out a broken cry of shock before said weapon had been yanked out as Shiro and Black had picked them both up. Keith remembers being unable to breathe, liquid filling his throat as they hurried back to the castle. He thought that maybe they'd be able to get him into a pod. The pods can heal anything apparently. 

But of course...the universe has always had other plans for him. He knows they got thrown apart. He and Shiro crashed together. He had hit his head, passing out for a minute or two. When he had awoken, he still couldn't breathe correctly. Every heaving breath came back with blood, tasting of iron. He could practically feel the giant hole gaping in his sternum. He knew he was losing way too much blood, doesn't know how he even woke up.

Red was weak, unable to help him although she clearly wanted to. Black was at the back of his mind too, much weaker than Red though. Keith had never been too worried about his own death. No one has ever cared about him before. Not really. When they did, it was to use him. But not with pops...and Shiro.

His mind had gone to the other. Even though his head was feeling light, his body heavy, and more, his only thoughts had been Shiro. He had to get to his best friend. He had fought and fought, making it to his feet. His comms system wasn't working and he needed to get to Shiro.

Too bad he had been dying. He remembers collapsing into his side, lungs completely full of blood, unable to breathe at all. How he had curled up, wishing he could make it to Shiro as his vision faded on the edges. He could barely hear his choked gags as he rested there, thinking of how he was leaving his best friend alone. That he wouldn't be around to protect him. Shiro had been through enough.

He had taken that last bit of consciousness to hope that Shiro could move on and find someone worth loving, worth being best friends with. That he wouldn't blame himself. It wasn't his fault. Never.

And then the next moment, he was alive. He felt fine...well, kind of. He didn't have a body, could feel the difference. He's lighter in some ways, heavier in others. He feels like air, but also like fire is running through his veins. He doesn't feel tired. He seems to have no need for breathing. He's free of his wounds, but he can see that it has scarred across his soul even under his armor. His other various scars stay too, like the one he got on his hip from smashing into a large vase at one of his foster homes. 

Red whispers in his mind, practically all around him but not in a physical sense. About how she's sorry. That she tried very hard to save him. That she's lost another beloved paladin by the same man, the same weapon, the same situation. 

"Oh, kitty," Keith sighs softly, reaching out to touch the lion's dark wall, "It's not your fault, girl. It's not your fault. I'm not going anywhere, okay? Shiro needs me and you do too."

The lion rumbles around him, feeling every bit as inside himself. It's comforting. It's strange. It's his new norm.

"How am I...here?" Keith doesn't say 'alive' because he's not. He's more ghost than anything. Or robotic? The first felt more...accurate. 

'Joined,' Red mutters into his mind, as if one with him. He's always been able to speak with her like this, but now it just feels organic. Natural. Like part of himself, 'You are sensitive to life forces. Your sensitivity gives you strength, cub. You channel it well. And I could not lose you. Never again. You are my paladin, my cub. Only you.'

"Thanks, Red," Keith smiles softly before sighing, raising a brow, "Is that...why I felt Blue in the desert?"

'Yes,' the lion purrs softly, vibrating straight through his new body, 'It is how you found me as well. I did not reach out, and yet you came. You came to me and did not abandon me. You are my cub now. Always. We can preserve our paladins through our astral planes, and I did that. Your strength helped me as well as my sister.'

"Huh," Keith tilts his head before grinning, "Thanks, Black. Love you, Red."

'My paladin…' Drifts a broken connection from Black, not as easily understandable as Red but well-heard, 'Will be lost...without his mate…'

"His mate?" Keith blinks before images rush through his head. Keith stealing his car, him getting into fights, Shiro never giving up on him, Shiro waking in his shack to see Keith's sleeping face and smiling a tearful expression, Shiro watching him with worry, with concern, with pride, with…"Oh…"

A moment later, Keith frowns, thumb rubbing his fist.

"Shiro loves me?" Keith asks softly, incredulously. That can't be right. Keith's had a crush since he got to know the dork Shiro was. But for Shiro to feel the same way…

"Keith!"

Keith twists around at Shiro's voice. For a moment, he thinks that his best friend had seen him. He hurries to walk around the chair before he sees Shiro on his knees, holding someone in his arms.

Holding Keith's body in his arms. And that's when Keith witnesses what his death means. How Shiro is utterly lost. How he clings. Begs for Keith to stay. How he cries. And how he blames himself. Because Shiro will always blame himself. He doesn't get mad at people. He gets angry at himself, his flaws, his mistakes, his feelings.

"I'm a monster…"

Keith nearly growls. Before he can think, he curls up against Shiro's armored back, hugging the other from behind, reassuring him that he's not. Shiro is no monster. Never. He is a scarred angel. In all of Keith's life, he has never met anyone who just helped anyone else without reward or gain. But Shiro...he looked at Keith, a scrawny orphan boy, and gave him a new life. Gave him hope for humanity and himself. Showed him real love.

Keith hears something outside. Frowning, he reluctantly leaves Shiro to his mourning, knowing the older can't see or hear him very much. Strolling out of the lion, he sees something big move. It's alive.

It's a giant lizard dog creature with tusks, six buggish red eyes, four clawed feet that look like they can kill. It's alone, scouting out the territory, sniffing at a rock or two before coming closer. Before long, its eyes zip up to Red's mouth, no doubt smelling Shiro and the scent of blood. It's highly likely that they eat flesh, especially since Keith sees no plants on this planet.

Said creature huffs, pawing at the ground, bits of rocks flying free before it moves to enter Red. It's big, but certainly small enough to fit into the lion. Shiro is unprepared, unprotected, unaware of the danger sneaking in.

"You're not getting in," Keith hisses before standing his ground. The lizard beast can't see him, but it senses that something more is there, pausing for a moment. It decides that it's more curious than cautious though, making its way forward, spiked tail lashing back and forth. 

He doesn't have a weapon. It's so big that a weapon may not help. He may need a lion for this but Red is still recovering. He can't ask her to move. But Keith can't leave Shiro undefended. They have each other's backs. Always.

'Bayard, my cub,' Red whispers softly, 'You can wield it with your strength. Fire is protection and safety. Use it.'

He does, summoning the blade. Said blade glows, forming into something like his normal sword. Only, this glows with deadly force, bayard fitting well into his not-real hand.

"You're not getting him!" Keith screams before launching forward. With a slice across the flank and then one to the leg, he races back just as the creature cries out, nearly falling over. The slashes glow with scarlet light, not unlike the wound Shiro has. Keith watches as the beast weakens, staggering to the side. He finishes it off with a quick slice through the neck, the creature dead before it can hit the rocks with a heavy clank. The wounds disappear, leaving bloodless cuts behind as he gains a burst in energy, making him gasp and stagger backward onto his ass.

"Holy shit," he braces his head before trying to settle himself, "It feels like I had a triple-caffeinated coffee…"

'Quintessence,' Red purrs softly, brushing against his being comfortingly, negating the symptoms a bit, 'It energizes you. You can take or give it to anything. But you must be careful, my cub. If your astral form - your quintessence form - disappears...depletes, you will not exist on this realm or any other. You will be gone. Forever.'

"I won't do that," Keith nods before glancing at the lizard beast, gently touching its head. Like everything else, his hand stays on the grey cold flesh, "I'm sorry, big guy. If nothing else, I guess we can cook you and use you up."

And then he gets up to return to Shiro. The older is in shock, muttering under his breath, holding his body close. Blood paints his face, chest plate, and hands, drying out as he clings. Keith returns to his side, gently holding onto the older, resting his nose into the spot he's always loved between neck and shoulder.

It's a good time later when he hears something outside. He's always had sensitive hearing. Now is no different, seemingly even better. He knows no other beasts are around. It sounds more mechanical, with the sounds of footsteps. Bracing himself for an attack - it could be anyone - he rushes outside, just as Red pipes up in his mind. 

It's the castle up in the air. Green and Blue are parked on the ground, turned off in their shields. Both brush against his mind, Green innocently curious and Blue sympathetic. The rest of the team is outside, marching towards Red.

"Where is the Black Lion?" Allura asks, dressed in her combat suit, face stern, "She cannot be far."

"She's got a small signal," Pidge peers down at her wrist computer, "Just off to that direction. But Shiro and Keith's armor is inside Red."

"They must have fallen asleep, right?" Hunk shrugs before fidgeting, "I mean, I would too. It's been a while. But I don't know why they would sleep with Red open."

"Maybe she can't shut herself up?" Lance questions as the group heads for the ramp, "Blue says she's low on power. Something about...damage, I think. Pictures are hard to understand sometimes."

"Let's go get our other paladins," Allura nods before they go into the lion. Keith tilts his head, glancing back at the castle before rushing to join the others. Luckily, he's much faster than them, especially since his body is not solid like theirs. He's inside before they are.

Shiro is a mess. He's leaning protectively over his body, arm lit up even though it clearly hurts like hell. His face is wet with sweat, highlighted by purple. His expression is twisted into something Keith has never seen, half-dead, half-murderous. His teeth are gritting tightly, flesh arm holding tightly enough to injure him, if he had been alive.

"Shiro?"

Pidge had been the one who spoke. Her voice is small, eyes wide in shock as the others take in their surroundings. The blood on the walls, the smell of iron, the body in their leader's arms.

"Shiro," Allura glances around before her eyes land on them, "What happened?"

"You're not having him," Shiro hisses under his breath, glaring at them, arm never faltering.

"Shiro?" Hunk winces as dark grey eyes slide to him. There's no recognition in them, "Hey, uhhh...we'll get Keith. You...can have a break…"

"You're not having him," Shiro growls louder before pulling himself back a few inches. Keith sighs softly, moving to his best friend's side.

"What's wrong with him?" Lance wonders curiously, concerned, "I...why doesn't he recognize us?"

"It's the stress," Pidge frowns before giving Shiro an understanding look, "Green says he's been pushed to this. He's been a prisoner for a long year. There's no telling what he's had to do to survive. Losing any of us would be horrible for him, but losing Keith…"

"They're...were close," Hunk agrees before glancing around, face going a bit pale, "So what are we going to do? Short of knocking Shiro out…"

Keith hates the idea. But he can't see any other way. He could bring Shiro back to himself. But Shiro can't see

him. He doesn't know that the others aren't going to attack.

Black brushes against his mind.

Keith doesn't even think as he allows her in.

She's trying to get through to her paladin. It's not working. Shiro has shut her out.

"Shiro, it's me," Keith joins in, brushing his hand against Shiro's cheek with no reaction, "I'm here. They're not going to hurt me. They're our teammates. You know them. You've fought beside them. Allura, Lance, Hunk, Pidge...You know Pidge's brother, Matt. You saved him. You told me about it. Wounded his leg so he could be free."

Shiro twitches a little, seeming to start recognizing stuff. Keith can practically feel Shiro coming back, very slowly. Unfortunately, the other four don't realize this as they step forward. Like a coiled spring, Shiro bursts forward unexpectedly. Keith gasps in surprise, just as Shiro slides straight through him. Keith doesn't have time to register the strange tingling feeling it leaves as Shiro races to slash at the first person nearest. In this case, it's Lance who is frozen in shock.

"Lance! Move!" Keith growls as the others shout random things. He runs forward just as Shiro's glowing arm goes to punch Lance's lower chest plate. It would be a lethal hit, but Shiro doesn't make contact because Keith pushes Lance harshly to the side. The younger goes down with a loud yelp, crashing his back against Red's wall. Keith pays attention to Shiro who turns on Hunk this time.

"Shiro!" Keith screams before the older launches at the startled and frightened Yellow Paladin. Hunk just barely dodges the punch, throwing himself as far back as possible. Shiro focuses on Allura, breathing heavily.

Allura is prepared for the attack, ducking and grabbing Shiro's arms, slamming him down against the dirty floor, restraining him with her Altean strength. Shiro snarls and twists for a long moment before settling down. If Keith had been the one holding onto him, he would have known to not let his guard down. He's sparred Shiro enough before and after Kerberos. But Allura has only watched them. She doesn't know that Shiro plays very dirty when he's desperate.

A moment after she relaxes, Shiro rips one arm free. Lashing out, he jabs his elbow into her face with all of his power. The Altean princess cries out in pain before releasing Shiro who tosses her off. She lands beside a groaning Lance, hand pressing over her reddening cheek and eye.

And then Shiro's eyes zip over to Pidge. The youngest is frozen in place, eyes wide as Shiro stalks forward.

"Shiro?" The smaller asks softly, scared. Shiro doesn't seem to recognize that. He strolls closer like a wolf eyeing a bunny.

An image flashes in his brain, very similar to this as Shiro stands with a look of regret and disgust, hand raised to strike a cowering fellow prisoner...

Champion...Keith's eyes widen. Right. Shiro's slipped into the only thing he knows when in danger. Keith needs to bring him back soon.

Racing forward, he gets between Shiro and Pidge. Closing his eyes, he gives a bit of his energy to Black. Red brushes against his chest, worried as he sends her back a knowing nod. In order for this to work, Black needs more energy to reach out to connect them better.

"Shiro!" Keith shouts before coming forward when he does, "It's okay. No one is going to hurt us. It's just the team. They're your friends, remember?"

It doesn't stop Shiro who runs forward. Keith knows Pidge is bracing for a fatal blow behind him. He does the only thing he can think of to help.

"I love you!" He says with everything he has. He knows Shiro loves him back. He feels something through their connection even though Shiro doesn't stop. He goes to slice clear through the younger's throat and Keith throws himself forward with his second to last resort.

He kisses Shiro on the lips. The older freezes for the first time as Keith hugs Shiro's chest close, hand over his heart.

"Kei-Pi-Pidge?" Shiro asks, rubbing his face with his left hand. He blinks a few times before seeing that his weaponized arm is inches from cutting into vulnerable flesh. Glancing around, his eyes turn remorseful and devastated as he sees the various states the rest are in, "I...Fuck...I didn't…"

"You did not hurt any of us too badly," Allura speaks up, eye bruising slightly, "We understand. We're not mad at you. Let's get back to the castle."

"We'll grab Red," Lance and Pidge nod, starting for the door, "And Hunk and I will get Black after that."

"Yeah," Hunk leaves too. Shiro frowns at the doorway before coming back to his body, cradling him like before. Keith settles by his side, nuzzling into his best friend's side. A moment of silence echoes around them before Shiro sighs, "I'm sorry, princess, for hitting you."

"I understand," Allura nods with a small smile, sitting down close to them but far enough away to not upset either of them, "You...you love Keith. It's only normal to protect what we love."

The sentence is spoken with a empathetic and saddened tone. They both glance at her before remembering that Allura lost her father, every part of him, not even three weeks before. Her icy eyes show her pain, laced with tears. 

"Oh, Allura," Shiro frowns softly before Keith nods. He knows what she's going through. He lost his own dad too early. He had grieved for years. Even now he did from time to time. All of them tended to forget that Allura is probably their age. She lost her dad just as suddenly as Keith did.

"It is okay," Allura rubs her face, wiping away tears, "It is hard but we will make it. We must."

And then the lion rocks a bit, signaling their trip to the castle. Keith hugs Shiro more before waiting it out.