Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Slav would say that anything was possible.

Of course, he would follow it up with a numerical chance and a long winded description of the probabilities off of that possibility.

But right now, as two timelines converged, no one was going to tell Slav about this.

“What… what the crow.”

The young paladins huddled around the princess and Coran, staring, startled. A group of people who looked like them, but were not them, stood nearby. As if older versions of themselves had slipped into their reality, into the castle ship, undetected, before their very eyes.

“Well… That didn’t go exactly as I thought it would have.” One of the Pidges, appearing to be almost in their thirties with a lab coat over comfortable clothing, hair in a more controlled state, with blue tinted glasses than the familiar round frames the younger Pidge wore, looked down at a tablet in their hand, making a soft tsk with their tongue.

Their fellow adult paladins, also ranging in their thirties and up, all stood by that older Pidge, staring in shock at their younger selves on the other side of the room.

“Uhh… Katie…” Shiro, with hair white as snow, glasses of his own, and a touch of stubble, looked down to the older Pidge. “When are we?”

Yes.

When would be a good question.

~*~

In the future, when there was no longer a war, no Galran forces to fight, nothing no more worrisome than what to eat the next day, the original seven paladins all made plans to reunite for a few days back on Earth. The plan was for them all to catch up, share stories over good food, and to finally have a moment when they were all back together under one roof.

Of course, when all of them were under the same roof, something always had to go a bit array. Otherwise, was it truly a momentous occasion?

So a proposition came up.

Pidge had just finished their newest secret project. An invention they had stayed up for nights on end to prepare for when the team would all be back together.

The other six had expected a lot of things to come from such news.

They expected a possible dud, a contraption made while Pidge was strung out on energy drinks, coffee, little food, and lack of sleep. They could even believe something might work, but not exactly as Pidge predicted. Reason for their lowered faith was because their bit if a mad scientist stated that the device they had made would give them all a view into the past, back when they were all younger. Similar to watching a television show or video recording of themselves when one never existed.

There had been questions, and queries. Several of them curious how something like that could even exist. How it was even possible to view the past.

But instead of the expectations and predictions Pidge had set up, the device had gone haywire.

So haywire that instead of watching their past, they were now in it.

It took a bit of talking to to get the younger group to let their guards down and not treat them like a threat from Zarkon or some evil alternate reality coming to stop them.

Shiro was still in the group, Zarkon was alive, Keith hadn’t gone off with the Blades yet, and based on how they all talked, the older group deduced it was still early into them being Paladins.

Good news, and bad news.

Good because the older group had an idea of exactly when and where they were.

Bad because that was a long time ago.

So long ago that there were chances that the future could become completely different because of their appearance.

Before the future Pidge broke away from the group to brainstorm with their younger self, they warned all of them to behave, to not tell anything past this timeline spot, and to definitely not give away the ending of the war. The future of this timeline depended on those big moments not being deviated from too harshly. Which meant no Blades of Marmora reveal, no Keith being half-Galra, no speaking about who died and revived, future friends and enemies, no happy ever afters and what-becomes-of-me’s.

None of it.

So everyone broke apart, seeking out their alternate time self.

That was how older Keith came to stand before his younger self, looking those inches down at his past. He couldn’t help but smile. So much had happened since this moment in time, so much change to his life compared the scowled male before him. All the while Keith was trying to quell the desire to snicker, recalling Lance’s hushed comments to him before they had separated, whispering about how small and cute young Keith was.

He knew that his Lance would be sneaking glances over their way, likely full of glee at seeing them side by side, to spot the then and now differences to tease him with later.

A quick glance to his right was enough to see that that Lance was indeed taking a good look around the room, noting the differences between themselves to their younger selves. Eyes large and bright, smile so big…

“So you’re... me.”

The older raven was snapped out of his stare by the sound of his own voice. “Yeah.” He looked back to himself. “About fifteen years from now, you.”

How fifteen years made a stark difference.

Younger Keith was everything his older self remembered.

But for the young male, the future him was so new.

To the young him, as he looked up, taking in the sight of his ‘future’ self, the young raven felt a sense of wonder and wariness. The older him wore a well-worn jacket, hair longer but pulled back in a low ponytail, with a large scar on his cheek the younger Keith couldn’t understand where it could have come from. Had it happened during his time as a paladin? Some time after that? Perhaps it came from some other incident, a different type of battle or skirmish out in space.

Honestly, the biggest thing younger Keith liked about his future self was the extra few inches of height and broadness he seemed to have gotten in a late-stage growth spurt.

It would mean he wouldn’t be the second shortest in the group anymore.

“Yeah...” Young violet eyes drifted sidelong, glancing over the room of others, seeing how they had partially split up, some in small groups, but everyone chatting away. “And... and we’re all friends? After everything...?”

The older Keith smiled. He looked around as well, taking in the sight of the then to now.

Some things had changed in his present, their future. New people they had met and befriended in the group, older friends from home joining with the new. Jobs, futures, loves, the loss.

But all in all, it was still in the end, the same.

“Still friends.” He said with a bigger smile, eyes drifting over every person that had made a difference in his life. “We may not all get to see each other every day, like you do right now but...” Keith looked back to his younger self, smile getting bigger. “We’re all still friends.”

That young face turned to him, a whip of a motion.

“Even you and Lance?”

Keith’s smile froze on his face, his brain getting kicked by that question, by the scathing surprise in his younger voice.

“Yeah.” He said, slow and careful. “Why?”

“Well...” Eyes drifted again. Older Keith followed his younger versions gaze, landing on where younger Lance was talking to his older self with the Hunk pair beside them. “He’s just so... so annoying. Like I can’t understand why he keeps putting himself in my conversations or hanging around me or-” the younger male’s hand shot out, waving in two small circle towards the others, “or bugging me for! Like, why can’t he leave me alone!”

Those youthful eyes turned up to his older counterpart, gaze becoming miffed. “Tell me he at least calms down and stops being so much of an annoyance in the future. Not trying to hang all over me anymore.”

‘Oh man...’

The way his Lance would just be bent over with laughter if he heard young Keith talk.

“Like, he has these morning habits. And it’s annoying. Asking me so many questions, trying to talk while I’m eating. I can’t just have a peaceful silent morning for once? Not all of us are bright eyed in the morning like him.”

A memory of Keith’s came to mind, of waking up, sitting in his kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand. Morning light trickled in through the kitchen window, dancing a warm wash of colors over everything. How quiet it all felt. How tired he felt.

Then Lance walked in with a sleepy smile, shuffling around in a robe and lion slippers, greeting him, asking how he slept. Soon would follow the light touches over Keith’s cheek or shoulders, a ruffle of the tail of his hair. How Lance would hum a little tune as he made himself some coffee, perhaps grab a muffin or make them a little breakfast to enjoy in the growing light. Then Lance would be sitting close, listening avidly to Keith’s every word, looking at him as Keith was his whole world, Keith returning the very same gaze.

“And he keeps trying to touch me!” The younger male huffed out with exasperation, arms half up, hands out. “Like saying I should moisturize my skin, or take better care of my hair! Hair he mocks!”

Fingers would caress soothingly through his hair at night, working out tangles as they talked. Or perhaps Lance would twirl and braid those dark long locks absentmindedly in the mornings when they had nowhere to be. How Lance would laugh like a schoolboy when Keith was donned with an animal shaped face mask, to be followed shortly with one of Lance’s own animal face masks, causing Keith to fall into his own fit of laughter. Shared showers or baths, discussing work as fingers lathered hair products Lance picked out into his hair, a sign of love and care.

Young Keith huffed again, arms crossing. “It’s weird that he even takes notice of what I’m eating, or what I like to eat most. Like, who does that?”

The same person who bought Keith his favorite, hard to get ice cream, one random day just because. Because Lance said Keith deserved it for a hard work week. Because Lance said it made him happy, and when he was happy, Lance was happy.

With a slightly harsher tone, the younger raven continued. “It’s even more annoying when he’s like that with other people. Like he’s flaunting himself or something.” A roll of eyes, young Keith looking away, about gritting his teeth with annoyance. “Always giving them these… these smiles and winks!”

Oblivious could be found in the dictionary with the definition of someone who was aloof, of being unaware of things happening around them. And there, next to it, would be his image at this age.

“It upsets you...?” Future Keith asked, wanting to shake his younger self for being so stupid. Had he really been such an ostrich with its head in the ground for so long?

“Yes!”

Man...

“What’s going on over here?”

Keith got to watch in real time as his younger self froze, become nervous, shy, then bothered, followed with looking upset as if he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, the emotion leading into a pout.

‘Amazing...’ He marveled at how many emotions past him was able to go through in such a few seconds. He’d need to ask his Lance later if that was something he could still do.

“Nothing...!” The younger Keith snapped, glaring up to the older Lance before settling his stare on his own Lance. “Nothing neither of you need to worry about.”

A quick glance to the pair of brunets, and older Keith knew his Lance was now acutely aware of what had been talked about moments ago, and how such a discussion was going. Just the look in those blue eyes, like someone about to pull the tail of an agitated wolf, was enough for Keith to know Lance was gearing up to tease the younger raven.

“Lance, no.”

Heads turned their way.

“Oh come on.” The older brunet smiled, lips curling. “It would be fun.”

Others were gathering now, many curious by the sudden interaction going on between the six of them. The Hunks had naturally followed at the Lances heels, but the others started to float over on their own when Keith warned Lance off from something.

A soft laugh then Keith shook his head. “Just because it’s fun doesn’t mean you should.”

The younger versions of themselves watched the back and forth between the pair, curious what conversation they were having that seemed to be understood just between them, but unknown to others. Well, unknown to the younger group, anyways. The older group knew and just shook their heads.

“Not even a little bit?”

“No.” The older Keith couldn’t help his smile. He crossed his arms, turning to his companion. “And I mean it.”

“But it would be a big help to you.”

“Perhaps, but that isn’t what you said you liked about all of this, years ago.”

Confusion was on many young faces.

They thought they had some grasp of the conversation, but now they were lost. Most of all, the younger Keith was lost, unable to decipher whatever secret code the two were talking about, just knowing it was obviously about him.

“Maybe a big help to me?”

Younger Lance perked up, curious.

Older Keith shook his head, laughing again. His arms unfolded, one loose at his side, his other arm bent with a hand on his hip. “Still no.”

“Oh come on, samurai.” Lance smirked to his Keith, eyes twinkling with suppressed laughter. It was a smirk that caught the young Keith’s attention. “It’d truly be a bonus either way. Just think about the possibilities it could lead to.”

“Lance.”

Many heads turned, attention locked onto the older raven. The older Keith’s voice held a certain tone to it. A tone of someone maddeningly, adoringly, heart stoppingly, in love.

The older Pidge sighed, shaking their head. “I don’t know why I try...” They mumbled under their breath.

Gazes drifted to the edge of the group where the older Pidge was at, curious by the softly spoken comment. Then movement from the older Lance and Keith caught the younger pairs attention again.

Future Lance bumped his hip to Keith’s, causing the raven to choke on a laugh before Lance placed his left hand on his own cocked hip, teasingly mimicking Keith. Then a glimmer of metal caught the light.

A gasp from young Hunk, the male bursting forward through others when he spotted the shimmer of a wedding band on Lance’s hand. Already he had seen a band on his own adult hand, and curiosity won out, but due to Pidge’s warning, younger Hunk could only daydream of his future bride. But he hadn’t really paid attention to the others and their possible marital status until now.

“Are you married too?!” He about yelled with his shock.

Several eyes darted to Lance’s hand, seeing a ring, and due to Keith’s proximity to him, noticed that not only was the older Lance married, but so was older Keith. And what’s more, they all recognized quickly that their wedding bands were a matching set between the two. Young eyes all turned to their fellow Keith and Lance, staring at them, watching the shock and surprise in their faces, recognition of what was before them.

“Well uh…” Older Lance chuckled, hand quickly ducking behind his back.

But it was too late.

Everyone had heard the soft love laced tone, seen the playful action, and spotted the evidence plain as day between them.

Even the older Pidge, who shook their head again, sighed with defeat and exasperation, rolling their eyes. “I cannot understand why I expected either of you to be discreet. Neither of you can go a moment without giving each other goo goo eyes.”

“Hey!” Lance looked to their friend, Altean cheek marks sparking for a moment. “It’s just natural at this point!”

Natural??? It was natural?

The young pair stared at their future selves, both feeling a swirl of emotions at the comment.

“Lance…” Older Keith placed a hand to his husband’s shoulder, the ring catching the light in the room, seeming to shine and twinkle even more than usual, the younger group thought.

“Well-!”

The older raven only smiled adoringly to his companion and lover when Lance whipped back to him with a put-out look, Keith’s gaze softening. “I know. We all know it wasn’t intentional.”

A pout, then a shared look, and Lance was laughing, eyes rolling. “Okay, okay…”

Younger Lance couldn’t believe it.

Not only was he so different at that age, a look of maturity so strong upon him, he was married. And not just married to some new face, but to a very handsome, very well glow-upped version of Keith.

Both Pidge’s reaffirmed their warnings to not talk too much about the future, that doing so could change the trajectory of the future for the ones who hadn’t even experienced things yet. Which could possibly lead to a future not even close to the same as the others knew it.

After that, everyone split up once more.

Perhaps not the safest plan, but there was only so much you could do in a ship in space.

With that big reveal out of the way, the red paladin shuffled over to his paladin leader, Shiro, who was busy conversing with his own older self. Glancing sideways, Keith watched with a scowl as his older self began talking to both of the Lance’s, smiling to them both with the same look on his face: devotion.

He shuddered, arms crossing, biting back the scowl that would twist his face with disgust.

Just moments ago he was complaining about Lance. And to think, it was all foolish childish complaints from him to the other, because likely all his older self probably could think was how dumb his gripes were. For what he hated, his alternate self seemed to love.

Soon, both of the Alluras grabbed the older Lance’s hand, dragging him away, promising to return him later to his husband. Keith just laughed, waving away the trio as they disappeared past a door. With a smile and a light farewell to the younger Lance, older Keith walked to stand by both of the Shiros and Pidges, planning to join their ongoing discussion about what could be done to return them all to their correct time period. The younger Keith hovered nearby, looking like an upset puppy more than anything else.

Now by himself, younger Lance hovered by his best friend, strike, friends, the Hunks. A quick discussion of the two yellow paladins, and it was decided they’d head to the kitchen to make a big meal for the whole party that had grown twice in size. This idea the young blue paladin joined along with, in hopes of getting a treat out of it. Which left the Corans, who were quickly nowhere to be seen, the pair likely going off to relive old stories and more than likely compliment their other half.

~*~

By the time future day Keith broke away from the theory group, and had taken a quick stretch break around the halls, he went to go find where his Lance had been off to. For the last he saw him, it was when Lance was being dragged away by both past and present Allura’s.

The first place Keith checked was the kitchen, wondering if possibly his husband snuck in there to weasel a snack or two from not one, but two hard at work Hunk’s. But they had only briefly seen him, coming in to grab the younger Lance, the two leaving with a comment that they were going to meet up with the Shiro’s.

It took a bit of time, but he found them.

His husband was standing off to the side in the training room, tablet in hand while talking to their timeline Shiro, the younger was Shiro further down on the side lines with his own respective Keith and Lance. By the looks of the younger three being in workout clothes, with the younger Shiro talking to the pair and motioning to the center of the room, Keith surmised that the group came up with the idea of doing some type of drill.

“Hey. I miss mandatory drills again?” Keith joked, walking up to the pair, smiling.

Lance turned quick, face lighting up like a beacon. “Hey handsome.” A quick kiss, one fast enough to greet but not to get them into trouble. They’ve learned long ago when to really sneak in the bigger kisses. “We thought that since we have time, we might put them through some drills that they hadn’t figured out on how to unlock in the system, yet.”

“Yeah?”

It was natural for them, to lean into each other, to touch.

Keith wrapped his left arm around Lance’s waist from behind, resting his chin on his husband’s right shoulder, looking over it and down to the tablet in Lance’s hands. His right hand placed comfortably on Lance’s right hip, thumb caressing over the curve of hipbone. With enough time, he’d likely be lacing fingers with Lance, to stand and sway together as they talked.

“Don’t get in trouble over this though.” Keith spoke evenly, as if he wasn’t cuddling Lance right then and there.

Their Shiro turned away from them with a chuckle, motioning to the trio on the side. “Alright Lance. You’re up first.”

“Y-Yes!”

The blue paladin hurried forward, glancing sideways at them with a light blush, obviously surprised by the display of affection. As soon as he was within range of the training ring, an array of holographic walls, barriers, and more appeared around the young paladin, cutting off his view of the pair.

“We’re doing extraction simulation.” The older Lance explained to Keith, pressing buttons on the tablet. “Pidge shouldn’t be too mad at us as we’re not really doing much other than training.”

“Sounds fair.”

Keith snuggled closer to Lance when Shiro wandered off to observe the young Lance’s training simulation. He rubbed his cheek to Lance’s shoulder, smiling. It was these peaceful moments that he loved. The little bits of time to soak up Lance’s warmth, to mingle back into the scent he loved on his clothes and skin like some colone. He placed a light kiss to Lance’s shoulder, releasing a happy sigh.

“You know…” Lance turned his head enough to catch sight of black bangs and a kissable nose. “It’s really cute to see how down bad you were for me. Even if young you isn’t aware of it yet.”

Keith chuckled.

Right.

He should have known Lance wouldn’t let that little tidbit go. Not when it was so fun.

Keith pinched Lance’s side, holding his husband when the other wriggled with laughter. “And you’re cute staring at me with those starstruck eyes. Makes me want to scoop him up and carry him away.”

“Don’t you dare!” Lance laughed, twisting a step to look more at Keith, neither caring who watched them. And as Keith’s head lifted, their eyes catching, the slightest ember in one gaze lit the other’s. Lance’s pulse jumped once.

To think, married for years and his heart still leaped like a shy school kids when Keith gave him that look.

Clearing his throat, Lance’s voice dipped, to keep anyone eavesdropping from hearing his next words. “Not unless I’m there to join.”

He couldn’t help it. Keith laughed, rocking side to side on his feet, causing Lance to move with him, their laughter bubbling up in that contagious manner. Their secret of being married was out, so what did it matter anymore if someone saw them acting normal together? Keith would take his chances at holding his husband’s hand, of sneaking those longing kisses, never worrying if he was looking a little too love sick towards the man of his whole heart.

And for Lance, he’d do the same, if not a bit more… purposeful. He’d send winks and blow kisses, tell his amazingly funny jokes that had Keith laughing up a storm while others rolled their eyes. How he might tug Keith’s clothes to direct the raven down a path or hallway for them to sneak a quick make out in, perhaps see how long a game of footsies could go before one of the younger crew called quits on them.

“Deal.” Keith chuckled, smirking to Lance, snatching a quick kiss before returning them to their loving sway.

On the other side of the room, further from the lovebirds, a young paladin was burning with an emotion that almost ate him alive.

When it was just the older Lance around, he was okay. He liked it, almost. Because the future Lance seemed calm, level headed, and his smile was... it was eye catching. And when he saw the two Lance’s side by side he didn’t... hate it. It had him curious, looking at the differences, admiring how much change came of his fellow paladin but also seeing what didn’t change. He noticed how Lance’s smile or laugh hadn’t changed, but saw how much laughter and happiness was in the eyes of the older male.

He’d watch the Lance pair talk and smile at each other, how his Lance’s smile would be bashful with a slight blush, but bubbly, as always, where the older versions smile would shine like sunlight, full of a happiness and uncontrolled joy that seemed limitless. He’d drift his gaze over their bodies, noticing the differences between them, taking in the newer muscle in Lance’s older counterpart, the way he held himself, how he walked with a sort of... of commanding grace, as if all heads were meant to turn his way when he walked into a room, or spoke.

Keith swallowed, just remembering that odd fluttering he felt earlier when the older Lance called his name, smiling so charmingly, as if looking at him like he was... he was his older self.

That had made him a bit mad, pouting momentarily, but it was squashed when Shiro joined them, speaking up, explaining what they would be doing in the training room.

And that was the weirdest thing. Even when the older version of his brother figure, Shiro, was talking to either of the Lance’s, he felt fine. Quite honestly, he felt fine up until those sparkling blues were no longer on him. For as soon as his other, older, self walked into the room, was around, speaking sweetly to… his husband, and started molding themselves into one, a shockwave of- of something exploded inside of the young raven.

He wanted to run over there and tear his older self’s arm off of the other Lance, to push them five feet apart.

And when his Lance hurried off to do the exercise, that emotion did not quell. Because Keith saw how the younger Lance looked over at them with awe, or admiration. He watched his fellow paladin gawk and become starstruck over the older Keith.

Like sure, yeah, he was all cool and grown up, but Lance shouldn’t be admiring older him like that.

He was the same person, just a bit younger is all.

ridiculous.

It felt like all that burning emotion did was grow more the longer the couple talked and laughed together. Almost burning him down to ashes when he watched them sway in place, talking to each other like they were the other’s whole world!

“So disgusting.” Younger Keith snapped under his breath, arms crossed.

His Shiro glanced at him, taking his attention off of the current drill, head tilting slightly. “What is?”

“That!”

Shiro saw Keith motion to the older couple, making a flourish at them before his arm went back into the cross over his chest.

“Why?”

“I could never see myself ending up doing something like that with… with Lance!”

It had to be discomfort Keith felt over this. Discomfort every time he saw his older self cuddling up to Lance. Every time he saw his older self talking to either of the Lances. Because if it wasn’t, then he had no idea what it could be.

But Shiro knew.

He gave a knowing smile to Keith before returning his gaze back on their fellow blue paladin, watching Lance dodge a hologram rock, looking a bit surprised but still working to the end goal.

If Adam was here, his fiancée would have said Keith was a lot like him before they ended up together.

Oblivious to a wild extent.

“Perhaps in this timeline you won’t. You don’t have to marry or even date Lance.” He shrugged, arms crossing, mimicking Keith’s stance. But his was loose and comfortable, unlike Keith’s. “Maybe Lance will find someone else, marry another guy, and live that happily ever after with them instead.”

Shiro’s words didn’t soften that discomfort or anger inside of Keith. Somehow it just fueled it. And that only confused him and his feelings all the more.

Young Keith huffed, looking away, tired of watching the lovey dovey display the other two put on.

He couldn’t wait for life to become normal again.

~*~

Training was over, and with a bit of time to free roam before supper, the six of them split. Both of the Shiro’s hung back to compliment and coach the younger Keith and Lance on what they did, how they could improve, and what to be aware of for next time.

And while that happened, the older couple planned to wander off. But not before Lance gave his own small pieces of advice to the younger pair, which followed with flirty words towards younger Keith, complimenting him, lightly touching his arm or shoulder, stating how strong he was, surely to grow even more if he kept up the hard work.

It was only when future Keith dragged his husband away that the flirtatious teasing ended, leaving the young raven in a frazzle of emotions at what had just happened.

Neither of the Shiro's could think of what to say, only sigh and shake their heads.

The plan for the married couple was to find a bit of time alone, to catch up on some much-needed time together, while also going down memory lane in the halls of the castle ship.

Lance wanted to first test if their rooms would still recognize them, even with the age jump, and let them in. But Keith herded them from that thought and just pushed Lance away. Laughter filled the halls along with ribbing heckles directed Keith’s way for being a wet blanket on his ‘grand idea’.

Their next spot to look at was the lions group hanger. They both got a big kick out of seeing the lions again since their friends were long gone in their present day after the war.

Keith watched with love in his eyes as Lance ran to Blue and Red, exclaiming at them at how lovely they looked and how good they were. The brunet bounced from one to the other, hugging their lowered muzzles, laughing when the two lions purred at him, Lance’s Altean marks lighting up his face with his laughter.

The next leg of their journey led them to every room or space either of them had spent a good deal of time in, reminiscing, sharing stories they may have never told before, noting marks in walls or on tables due to something happening in the past. Like a mark Lance left by accident when he was spinning his bayard around, trying to do tricks with it. Or when Keith once slipped in the hall and banged his head against one of the long walls.

They soon stopped in an empty spare room to rest their feet.

“While I hope we can get back home soon, this has been a great and fun side adventure.” Lance exclaimed with a happy sigh, leaning back against a table, hands resting and supporting himself on its cool surface.

“The Garrison will freak out if they learn Pidge had somehow made time traveling possible.”

“Knowing Pidge, they’ll keep it a secret.”

“Yeah?”

Lance smiled. A smile that had Keith stepping closer, sharing one of his own.

“Yeah.” The brunet said, smile growing bigger when Keith stepped into view. “But just because we came here doesn’t mean we don’t have things to do when we get back.”

“Do?” Keith rolled his eyes, laughter dancing with his words. “There’s nothing to do.”

“Don’t think this whole time jump gets you out of washing the dishes when we get back home, oh great leader.”

Keith put his hands on his hips, brow cocked, head tilted. “Oh? Going to hold that over my head? I forget for one day and it’s now my biggest sin?”

A snicker, Lance leaning further back on the table. “I mean-” a bigger snicker, one that had his lips tugging up like a cats grin, “yes?”

Keith smirked. He stalked to Lance, his heart, the love of his life, his everything. He put his hands on either side of the other, leaning in, matching smirk to grin.

“Alright. I’ll do the dishes. But you still have to fold all of the laundry.”

“Why even bother when we’re just going to get it dirty again?”

“Only gets dirty because you like to drop all of it on the floor when I get home.”

Lance’s head turned to the side, eyes avoiding Keith’s knowing stare and smirk, his lips wobbling as laughter puffed and pressed against his tightly thinned lips.

Keith felt emboldened. “Maybe I’ll dress up in the bedsheets like you always tell me to.”

Laughter started to break through Lance’s lips, his eyes closing, trying hard to hold back.

“If someone at work asks, I’ll say it’s toga day. And when I get home, I’ll go straight to bed and look as rumbled as you like making me and the bed!”

Lance’s suppressed sounds started to break out in trickling bubbles of laughter.

But it wasn’t enough.

The raven wanted to hear Lance belt out into that full laugh, to be almost bent over with it.

“Before long I’ll just dress up as every piece of our furniture, to match!”

Keith grabbed his husband’s hips, lifting Lance quick, dropping him onto the table with a light toss, causing the other to burst out into a big fit of laughter. Laughter that felt as warm as sunshine on a cool day, or as soft as freshly dried sheets. Laughter that had Keith’s heart beating to match the tempo it made, dancing to the melodic tune of his husband’s voice.

The raven kept his hands to Lance’s hips, leaning in, pressing his body between the other’s thighs, to smile at him, adore the sight of him so soft and sweet, so full of life.

“There’s that laugh.”

Lance’s smile spread further, his laughter trickling off as Keith’s nose and lips brushed his cheek.

“You act as if I haven’t laughed this whole time.”

Keith’s lips brushed Lance’s jaw, the raven nuzzling him, making a happy sigh. “You’ve laughed. But that laugh… that laugh was all for me.”

Fingers played with the hem of Keith’s jacket front, laugh lined lips tugging into a playful and all-knowing grin. “Oh?” Lance felt his heart flutter, heels hooking behind Keith’s back, making sure the other couldn’t run away. “Most of my laughs have been for you since we’ve gotten here.”

“The other me doesn’t count. I’m still not sure if you flirting with younger me is cheating on me or not.”

A snicker, muffled into the side of Keith’s head, Lance trying to not swing his feet with happiness.

“Well, it’s not every day I get two handsome Keith’s in my live. And I wouldn’t have hated it if someone as tall and hot as you had flirted at me when I was that age.” The brunet confessed, twirling a loose lock of Keith’s hair between two fingers. “I might have turned into a blabbering puddle if someone had.”

Lance laughed out when Keith’s smirk brushed his neck.

“Alright…” Keith pressed one firm kiss over Lance’s pulse, snickering alongside Lance’s bubbling laughter. “When I see him later, I’ll give his hand a kiss, say a nice line, one that you like, and perhaps end with a wink.”

More laughter, Lance’s hands smoothing over Keith’s shoulders, arms now hanging over them as he hooked his own index fingers together. “Oh, you’ll make me swoon!” Lance said, laughing as another kiss brushed his neck. “I’ll never recover if you do such a thing!”

Keith’s laughter tickled Lance’s throat.

Laughter that brought both of their lips together, huffed breaths breaking them apart until eventually the laughter settled and instead, they were soaking each other up, letting their love and affection build between them.

They could spare a few minutes more for a few kisses.

Their friends would know by now to just let them wander back than be hunted down.

~*~

The breakdown of the training session went without any further problems.

But the young red paladin could not focus on anything Shiro told him.

Keith was still riled up from watching his older self hang all over the older Lance, acting all in love, all devoted like some lovesick fool. Then there was how the future Lance flirted and talked to him, acting like he was part of their relationship.

It twisted and swirled all of those emotions inside of him, burning him from the inside out.

All Keith wanted to do now was just eat, rest, and try and pretend like this day hadn’t happened.

Yet when the princess asked him and Lance to go find their other selves to call them for food, he knew the day wasn’t done punching him.

Now he was hurriedly walking down long halls, that energy he couldn’t fully understand building inside of himself, twisting his stomach up, making his chest tight and nerves feel on edge.

Lance hurried after Keith, trying to match the other’s pace, deciding to stick to Keith because it was likely their older selves were both together since they had left the training room together. “I don’t get why you’re upset about them.” He confessed, looking left and right, trying to spot where the other thems had run off to. “They said it’s just a possible future of ours, from a different timeline-”

“I’m not upset…!”

Lance wasn’t convinced. Ever since the future versions of everyone had appeared, Keith seemed a touch on edge. Then when it came out that the older versions of them were both married, that edge became sharp for his Keith.

It hurt for Lance, to think that Keith was so repulsed by their possible future.

Because for him, he had been starstruck at seeing everyone as an adult, admiring the changes that could come to them. From Shiro’s hair going all white, getting married, along with his best friend Hunk finding the love of his life, as well. And it was obvious by the way future Pidge talked and looked, that they were some big hot shot scientist. The princess, now queen, was even more beautiful, Coran even crazier, if possible.

Then Keith… Keith was…

Lance felt his heart flutter at the change of the other, seeing Keith so different.

Was it feasible to feel a range of emotions he hadn’t realized he had inside of himself yet?

But when he saw his older self, looking so confident, proud, and… and with Altean marks! He had so many questions. But Pidge’s warnings were the only thing keeping him from just ruining that big mysterious future for himself. Because what if he had asked too prying of a question and it altered his future so drastically?

And while talking with his older self and the older Hunk, Lance’s eyes drifted to that wedding band placed so proudly on his older hand. Seeing the barest tan line around its edge, knowing it had been there for years. It had his young heart feeling a jump and leap.

He had gotten married.

Someone loved him, likely missed him, worried on where he disappeared to.

But that assumption wasn’t right.

Because the one who loved his older self, who would most likely miss him, and would worry at his disappearance, who Lance had wanted so badly to ask who it was, was with him.

Someone with long black hair and a toothy grin that made his heart flutter with curiosities. Muscles, broader shoulders, a swagger to his walk, and a sturdier, deeper laugh. Someone who stood nearby. Looking tall, handsome, and well put together.

A possible timeline of his future where he was married, it was to Keith, the pair looking so terribly in love as if they had been for a long time.

“Oh? Because you act like it!” Lance huffed, able to keep up with Keith, but only because he had the longer legs and cardio to back it up. “Every time you see our older selves even near each other, you get all bothered.”

“It’s strange!”

Lance’s lips pressed firmly together, cheeks puffing with his anger.

“Nothing is strange about being in love, mullet for brains!!”

Keith whipped around, about to snap at Lance, but a sight stopped him dead mid-turn, his breath pulling into his chest.

There, in the room he was just about to pass, he spotted the pair they were both looking for.

Older Lance was propped up on a table, said husband nestled between those long legs, strong hands caressing those very legs that held him. Lance’s arms were loose over Keith’s shoulders, fingers playing with dark locks, threading through every possible strand, the pair sharing a very intimate kiss. A kiss that was building with every brush of lips, growing to a point that the married couple was losing space between their bodies, hands clasping tighter, soft sounds starting to trickle to the door.

Keith’s whole being burst into an inferno.

An emotion he mistook for shock and revulsion.

Lance on the other hand grew curious.

He couldn’t imagine what had stopped Keith short of speaking.

Not until he stepped forward, looking into the room that Keith was staring at, and saw what had stolen the other’s voice.

A bloom of color burst over Lance’s cheeks, his heart jumping several leaps.

It was… It was shocking to say the least but it was also…

Lance’s stomach began to make flips with the jumps of his heart, that bubbling nervous energy buzzing to the tips of his fingers.

It was possible for someone to want him that much? That it was a possibility someone was going to desire him that much? That a tender touch held so much love and passion to make the other him look and sound so in love. That someone wanted him for forever, enough so to make it official to the whole galaxy?

It’s hard to believe it would be the one on his right, with a steely gaze, that would be that future.

But by the look of pinched anger there…

Perhaps this was that one type of timeline that would never have that future.

That love.

That… forever.

~*~

Later, when everyone was gathered for the buffet of a meal, younger Lance stole glances at the older pair, seeing those sly glances and well learned looks. He watched every secret touch, how older Keith’s pinky would find his husband’s when they stood side by side, or how Lance might bump his hip against Keith’s when a funny joke was made. The brush of a shoulder, a bump of a foot, the well placed hand on a thigh or arm when the other talked.

But while Lance was soaking up all of those subtle and not subtle actions, putting to memory a love so strong and soul lifting being possible, Keith was boiling in his own feelings for it all.

He watched the pair with a mix of emotions that left him feeling angry and downright ready to rip the two apart.

For as soon as the older versions of Keith and Lance came into the dining hall, Keith’s eyes whipped to them, taking in the sight of the pair.

He took to note of their cheery smiles and slightly pinked lips. How the older him’s hair was combed through with fingers then braided for a sense of control to it. But Keith knew the other two had done something to need it to be braided instead of left in the ponytail.

And as soon as he saw a mark on each of their necks, that hot wash of emotion filled Keith. So much so that he spent the whole meal glaring at the pair, seething every time he saw them share a love filled look, or when the older Lance laughed quietly his husband's way, lashes batting, fingertips brushing his husband’s hand.

It had the young paladin about climbing over the table grabbing for them, to rip them apart, to push the older Keith away with a glare.

But he held in place, fist tightly holding his fork, trying to keep his calm.

Shiro must have figured out he was becoming agitated. Because at some point his team leader walked over, taking a seat by him as others were mingled about, and spoke to him, trying to distract him.

It was appreciated but…

Keith stared at his plate of food.

Why did it hurt so much to see his older self so happy?

~*~

He fucked up.

The red paladin felt shame as he was snapped at by his older version.

It didn’t even make sense.

All his Lance had done was greet him. Simple and normal.

But he blew up on Lance, telling the other something rude. Which grabbed the older couple's attention, Keith barking a sharp ‘Hey!’ his way before calling him out on his bad behavior.

How messed up was it to be scolded by your older self?

The two Lances wandered off, the future Lance glancing over his shoulder to his husband, a silent conversation bouncing between them before they were gone.

Now young Keith stood there, staring at the floor in that burning shame, knowing his older self was close, likely with crossed arms and a disappointed look on his face. A look that was bound to feel reminiscent of Adam’s or Shiro’s.

How was this fair?

It wasn’t like he had asked for his life to be flipped and tossed around.

It wasn’t like he had wanted to know this future outcome of his could be a reality.

“You and I both know you’re not going to want to talk or discuss this.”

Glad his future self knew him so well.

“But I don’t care.”

Bastard.

“Talk to me. You’ve done that before, we both have.”

Violet eyes slowly rolled up, cautious, wary.

It was true he had talked to himself on occasion. Normal thing to do. Especially when you had no one to talk to for years, bouncing around systems, homes, misery... eventually the best companion you can have is yourself.

The older Keith looked at him with disappointment, but there was understanding there.

What ever happened in the future to make him fall for Lance, to change their rivalry to friendship to a relationship, only his older counterpart knew. But at least to this point in life, his older self knew how he felt, better than he did, it seemed.

Keith’s gaze dropped again, hands clenched in fists at his side.

“Come on.”

Boots retreated.

Keith’s attention snapped up, shocked and confused.

Wasn’t he about to be forced to talk? To confess something he didn’t want to admit with himself?

So why... why was his older self walking away?

The young raven followed numbly, chasing after his older self, taking in the sight of him, how different he had become. How much... how much better as a person he was in comparison.

The older male led them to the training deck. And as they arrived, older and stronger arms moved, shrugging off that well-loved jacket, folding it, before setting it aside. “We’re going to spar.” Was all the older Keith said as he began moving around the space, acting like he owned it, like he lived there instead of his younger self.

Keith bit the inside of his cheek, an anger boiling up inside of himself.

He shrugged off his own jacket, tossing it aside, letting it fall beside his older self’s jacket, then took up post.

The other him might be older, but they were still the same person.

He would know how to defend himself against his own thoughts and ideas.

At least... That was what the young paladin believed.

Instead, he was knocked around, tossed about, and beaten in almost every spar they had. The older version of him was just that much quicker, smarter, stronger, and readied for every move of his own.

It was infuriating how much better his older self was, as if fifteen years was more than just a gap in their age. It was a startling gap in their skill, too.

By the time his older self called quits to their sparring, the young paladin was on his hands and knees, panting, sweat rolling off of him in waves from the sheer exertion it took to keep up, to not get knocked down twice as much than what had happened already.

Now, working out had done some good for him.

It had burned off a good deal of that angry energy inside of himself. It had given him a chance to learn without needing to be told, to look for tells or tricks or twitches. A chance to get stronger and better. To be more than just a shadow of his future self.

A panting but steadier voice spoke above him. Strong and full of scolding heat.

“If you don’t want to date or marry Lance, that’s fine. You don’t have to.”

Keith’s fingers curled against the hard floor of the training room. A bead of sweat ran down his cheek, landing hot and large below him.

“But he is your team member and that means you two need to get along to keep Voltron in working order. That means regardless of how one future might look, you have to ensure your future is still possible by not blowing up at anyone who annoys you.”

“I made a mistake! Okay?!” Keith snapped, eyes screwing shut. “I just keep making them!!”

Older Keith’s expression softened. He crouched down, voice still firm, but some of that angry scolding heat eased off. “Were you mad at Lance? Had he done something?”

“Yes!” The young male snapped, eyes flying open. “No!” His gaze darted to the side and down, unable to bear the other’s gaze. “I don’t know!”

Silence, for a stretch of a minute, then the older raven sat.

“Do I upset you?”

Teeth grit, fingers curled in tight fists.

“Was it because I...”

The young paladin’s head shot up, glaring daggers at his older self.

His future self’s face softened, looking amused. “You’re mad because I flirted at your Lance?”

A blush mixed with the heated flush of Keith’s color, burned his blood so hot he thought he’d explode.

Earlier, before his big stupid blow up on Lance, he had come into the room to see both young and older Lance crowding around his older self. The three were all talking so vibrantly, as if they were all happier with older him than the current him. Which... it hurt. It hurt enough to make him creep along the wall to go unnoticed. If it didn’t matter if he was around, that they’d flock to his older self anyways, why did it matter if they saw him then?

There he watched as the three of them laughed and joked. He watched his Lance blush and look shy, but eager.

Then his older self took hold of one of the young paladin’s hands, bringing it up to lips, placing a slow and tender kiss there.

Keith stood in shock as he watched his older self give the younger Lance a flirty look, one that caused said Lance to burst into vibrant color, eyes wide, words stumbling over his tongue and lips. Then the older him spoke, words he hadn’t heard because of the ringing in his own ears at the sight.

What ever was said, it was enough to cause his fellow paladin’s blush to darken even more, if doable. Stammers became a jumbled mess that eventually had the younger Lance laughing nervously, high pitched and wobbly.

Lance had... had never had that expression with anyone. The closest he had come to looking somewhat like that was Lance’s interactions with the princess but... no one. No one had ever brought Lance to such a deep scarlet and stammer. Not even... him.

So when he was finally noticed, when his Lance walked to him with that big cheery and shy smile, still looking flushed and giddy, Keith’s will snapped.

And so he spoke harshly.

He took all his shock and anger out on his Lance than on the man who really pissed him off.

Keith’s eyes closed again, screwed tight, recalling the shock in Lance’s face from his outburst, the hurt and pain swirling in deep blues before they darted away. Keith could remember how Lance trembled… how the other Lance looked his way with such tenderness.

Had the older Lance pitied him?

Future Keith propped his elbow on his knee, resting his cheek in his hand.

He knew his husband would be overjoyed to be told this whole thing, probably more than likely to state how he wished he could have seen it, to see that moment of soft realization begin to build in Keith’s younger self.

“I’m not going to kidnap him, or anything.” The older Keith said with amusement, watching his younger self twitch, even as he tried to hide the reaction under rolling his shoulders. “I mean...” He chuckled, eyes going sidelong, trying to not grin like a fool.

Yeah, he shouldn’t be teasing himself over this but... maybe a nudge, like Lance suggested, just might be for the good of it all.

“He is pretty cute...”

If looks could kill, the one across from him would have evaporated him to dust.

Keith laughed. Would he have made that same face his younger self was, if it was him in that position all those years ago? He knew that even as an adult, he still felt flares of jealousy when others leered at his husband like a snack to take a bite from.

“Listen,” Keith lifted his head, arm lowering to rest comfortably over his lap, “your future is yours to make. You still have a lot of time and memories ahead of you before you even catch up to where I made decisions that changed my life for forever.”

The younger paladin sat down, staring at him, not speaking, but not looking like a feral dog about to attack, either.

“So don’t stress about this.”

Young violets shot down to the ring on Keith’s hand, lips curling into a nasty snarl.

“Out of everyone in the whole world... the whole galaxy, you chose Lance?”

“Hey.”

The sharp tone with a lick of anger had the young male looking up, if a bit surprised.

The older him sat there, eyes hardened, that patient smile gone.

“There are a ton of timelines where you, I, would never have ended up with Lance. There are some where Lance doesn’t exist, where we don’t exist. But in mine, out of everyone in the whole world, out of the whole galaxy, I made a choice I haven’t once regretted. I chose Lance because that was the best decision I could have made for myself in my timeline.”

Younger Keith’s shoulders slumped, eyes downcast.

“I couldn’t be happier. But if that isn’t a future you want, fine. You don’t have to like him, or marry him. But he’s your teammate and you need to at least get along with him.”

Silence again, this time given to allow his younger self time to let all of his words soak in.

When the silence was broken, it was by the younger raven whose gaze was still on that ring but without all that anger behind it.

“He really makes you happy...?”

“My life hasn’t been better, nicer, or brighter, since.”

Lips thinned.

Keith smiled. Amazing how stubborn and bull headed he was back then. Lance truly had a lot of patience at hand to have kept him in line for so long even before they ended up together.

“Just take your time on it all.” He said encouragingly. “Just because you hate something now, doesn’t mean you’ll hate it later. You came to love dad’s omelets eventually, right?”

The younger male made a short, surprised laugh, as if recalling that memory had been a shock. “How he made them overcooked but somehow wet, I will never understand.”

Both were smiling now.

Maybe for different reasons, but the mood had lightened.

“He eventually figured it out. And once he did, they were so good.”

A laugh, soon shared and echoed.

Perhaps this timeline wouldn’t end up exactly like the future of the one sitting before the young male, but older Keith was betting that it would be even better than his own.

~*~

A young blue paladin felt himself guided out of the room, feet shuffling by muscle memory, but without guidance. He felt so... so startled, so stricken with the shock and pain of his friend’s outburst towards him.

He hadn’t fought when hands moved him, shuffling him away. Away from that anger filled face. From violet eyes that burned with a scalding fire ready to strike than the warmth they could normally hold.

Lance hadn’t done anything but let himself be pushed away by his older self, never focusing on the silent conversations between the older couple that happened right over his head, a pointed look to the young Keith as if saying ‘handle him.’

For as soon as the doors closed behind them, the younger Lance spoke up, voice full of distant shock. And at the edges of that shock, hovering like a threat, was the sadness inside of him that might leak out through tears. “I don’t... I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong...”

“Oh no... no, no.” The older male hugged his younger self, giving him that big warm squeeze that their mother would always give them. That Keith would always give him. “You’re not doing anything wrong.”

Beseeching eyes looked up his way. The threat of tears made those blues shimmer. “Then why does he just act even... worse than before? Why does he glare at me all the time?”

So badly the older Lance wished he could confess what was going on through the young red paladin’s mind. To explain where Keith was at emotionally, where it was taking him. But those were Keith’s feelings to explain. And he’d respect his husband’s desire to not just toss them out in the open just yet. Because Keith was right that their younger selves needed this. That they needed to explore their feelings and come to the conclusions on their own, not just because a future told them to.

“Sometimes change makes people agitated, nervous, or even angry. And Keith... your Keith...” He leaned against a wall across from his younger self, smiling at him. He knew his past self would be battling with insecurities around now. Of feeling lesser than, lacking, all of those other emotions he tried to not let build back up in his current self. It had been fifteen years. He was past that now. “Well, he’s just trying to make sense of his world being put upside down.”

The younger brunet sighed. He rubbed one of his arms, looking down, staring at the floor. “When does it get better...?”

“I... I couldn’t say.” Lance rubbed his neck, looking away nervously. How much could he say without getting Pidge breathing fire on his ass? “My Keith, he wasn’t always this sweet and cute, as you know.”

A soft joke, one that had his younger self making a knowing scoff at.

“It took time for all of us, for Shiro, Allura, Hunk, the others, to grow to where we are now. To be who we are. So it’s not so easy to pinpoint when... when things became different for us two. Because they were never really normal.” A soft smile, the older Lance leaning over, tilting his head and shoulders down to try and lock gazes with his younger self. “Your feelings about Keith have never been just a competition, right?”

Color dusted the young paladin’s face, his eyes darting up then away.

“W-Well I mean I-I...”

Older Lance smiled.

His younger self would be okay.

Possibly confused, and hurt for awhile. Perhaps it wouldn’t be the smoothest of futures, and definitely nothing like his own, at this point. But he had faith that everything would be okay, that their futures together, would be okay.

“Just know, even if Keith isn’t your one, you will get that one.” Lance smiled more. “There are people you will meet, or people you may know, that will make your life so much more different than it is now.”

A few heartbeats of silence, then young eyes looked into their mirrored versions. “Are you... you’re happy... right?”

A smile that could only be explained as sunshine caught upon lips spread over Lance’s face. He bloomed with the sheer idea and memory of his happiness with Keith. “Happiest I think I could ever be.” He spoke, wistful and bright. “But fifteen years is a lot of time to make that happiness come to be, okay?”

It was encouragement, to remind his younger self that there was no need to rush to meet this new finish line.

“Don’t get me wrong. Even Keith and I have had our arguments, our disagreements. There had been moments where a relationship didn’t seem like a possibility or something to even worry over for us. Times where we were more stubborn than we were smart.” Lance laughed, recalling how foolish they were in their youth. How foolish it could appear even now, at the start of it all. “But I’m in a great place in my life.”

The younger paladin’s expression had eased enough that relief was stronger in his eyes than the worry from before.

“But uhm-!” The older male coughed, lips wobbly, nervous now as he realized he could have given this future a hiccup. He wafted a hand in the air, unable to ever hold still for long without moving. “Remember, even I don’t know if you’ll end up with Keith in this universe. As crazy as it might be, you might end up with someone else, someone who could make you happier!”

“Happier than you?”

A light blush, a bashful and proud look, then the older Lance looked away, eyes up and focusing on anything but his younger self. “Well...” He laughed, short and abrupt. “I am a bit biased, okay?”

Laughter came from one, young and sweet, followed with the deep joyous laughter of the other.

Perhaps his younger self wouldn’t get the same fairy tale ending as he did, but if he had any stock in it all, he would bet his left arm that it would come out even better, all the sweeter.

Of course, he was biased on forever ending up with Keith, regardless of their universe.

~*~

The day of the return home for the older paladins had come.

It took one tireless night, but they not only created the device needed to return home, but perfected the issue that had come from the original.

Both groups stood in the bridge where they had appeared the first time, saying their goodbyes, wishing each other well.

The Coran's were clutched in a strong embrace, wailing at their loss, but demanding the other to protect their princess with the highest priority. Said princess and queen were laughing at the older gentlemen's sides, finding their outburst a fun little show.

Shiro was giving his farewells to the younger group as a whole, standing by the older Pidge in wait in the spot that would send them home. Younger Pidge was putting in the last lines of code into the device plugged up to their laptop, their timeline Shiro waving farewell to their futures. Said future Keith was dragging his Hunk from his counterpart, chuckling about how if they didn’t hurry, a certain spouse of his might start ripping up the galaxy to find him.

Which left Lance.

“Come on, Lance! We’re ready to go!” Pidge called over to the said brunet. “Flirt with your husband instead of his younger self, if you must!”

Color dusted the young raven’s cheek, said male looking up at Lance with caution.

The groups had mingled for awhile before they started saying personal goodbyes to their own selves. Which Keith had done with his older self, as did the older Lance with his younger self. But then the older Lance came before him, big smile in place, and started to tell him farewell.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Lance playfully snapped back. “Don’t be a mom to me, Pidge. It’s a creepy look on you.”

Amber colored eyes shot a glare Lance’s way before the scientist looked away with a huff.

“Hey.”

Keith looked back to the older Lance, head tilting with a silent question.

“What? I can’t say goodbye to the coolest samurai in the whole galactic space?”

Lance smiled at the pout Keith was now making.

He wished he could stay longer, really take his time reliving these days, showering the youthful Keith with the care and love he deserved.

It would have been a lot of fun trying to play match maker with his younger self and his husband’s past self. Regardless of how much the others tried to tell him no. And wouldn’t it have been even more fun to fly Blue or Red for one more turn?

Alas, his own present day called for him, and his Keith was ready to return home by the sounds of it, of said husband calling his name to coax him over.

“Hey…” Lance placed his hand on the young Keith’s shoulder, smiling when those soft violets looked at him, wary but adoring. When others weren’t watching, when the younger Keith allowed himself the grace to feel true to himself, his emotions were plain as day on that face. Some things never did change. “From now on, I want you to promise me something.”

The wariness increased.

Lance wanted to laugh at how cute the look was. But he held himself back, lest the young paladin think he was being laughed at.

“What…?”

Oh how cautious and wary young Keith was.

Though…

Lance could say older Keith was wary too, just in a completely more playful way.

He gave Keith’s shoulder a light squeeze, smiling, putting on a bit of charm but nothing heart stopping just yet.

“I want you to promise me and yourself that you will always keep your passion for things. That spirited drive inside of you that pushes you forward, that gives you strength to keep trying no matter how many times you get knocked down.”

Lance’s hand left Keith’s shoulder, fingers gently giving a singular tap to Keith’s cheek.

The gesture caused a blush of color to blossom on Keith’s face, the male shyly looking away. It wasn’t his heart beating for the other. That was ridiculous. He just... he was just startled was all.

Yeah.

“Just make sure it’s for the right things.”

And with that, Lance leaned in, one hand cradling Keith’s cheek, his lips on the other.

The world halted for the younger raven, his heart hammering three hundred miles a second inside of his ribcage, about to bust out and chase after the older Lance like some lovestruck puppy.

Lance leaned back, winked, and the smile he gave could have knocked Keith right off of his feet if the shock of the kiss hadn’t frozen him there in place, first.

“Be good.” Was Lance’s parting comment as he walked back to the group, up to the older Keith’s side. And as soon as they were in touching distance, the two took the other’s hand, holding to one another, fingers lacing.

Older Keith looked over to his younger self, smirking at the redness that overtook him.

That three hundred mile a second heartrate tripled.

“Good luck, everyone!” The older group chimed out, waving.

Hands returned the gesture, younger voices telling their older selves farewell.

With a few presses of a button, and a familiar hum of sound, the seven began to disappear, returning to the time they belonged, to the place they called home.

~*~

After the parting, the young paladins dispersed, returning back to their lives before the craziness of meeting and interacting with a future that hadn’t happened yet. For even if the group from the future did their best to not give away too much information, to not change the trajectory of their place in the cloth of fate, some pieces had been hinted at, some information slipped past lips.

Several went to work, while others drifted away, to relax, or distract themselves.

Lance had been one of those people who wandered away.

He felt he needed some time to... to just relax and let everything sink in, to let all of the information he had seen and heard and felt settle before he reacted to it all.

Especially after watching his future self kiss the young Keith.

That had been a shock.

Hell, he didn’t even know Keith could look so red!

Now he laid in his room, resting on the bed, hands on his stomach, eyes staring distantly up at his ceiling. It had been his activity for the last few hours.

Lance sighed.

He felt a tad jealous.

Jealous and envious of his older self for finding a love he had dreamed about since he was small. Of finding that love in someone so special. In someone that returned the love as greatly if not more.

There was the chance that his Keith would be that someone for him, but the chances weren’t fully there.

It was a danger to know that they ended up together, Pidge had said, but right at that moment, the only danger Lance felt was to his heart and soul, aching away with pining and longing.

As Lance was sighing dreamily at the memory of their older selves sharing a tender look, a knock at his bedroom door ripped him from it.

Lance looked over, blinking, wondering if he had heard that right.

Another knock, this one a bit more insistent, and Lance stood, going to his door.

The panel rushed open, a bouquet of strange alien flowers being shoved into his face.

Lance gasped, looking at their unique shapes and colors, stepping back, startled.

“H-Here.”

Eyes darted up and around, spotting Keith standing in his doorway, cheeks rosy, eyes staring him down like a challenge, holding the flowers out to him.

“For… For me?” Lance asked, hesitant, heart speeding up, fingers beginning to tremble.

A nod, brief and slight.

But that was okay.

Because though Lance may long for the future, he didn’t have to be jealous anymore.

Chapter Text

“Come on…” Lance led his younger self out of the room, hurrying him out, knowing that his young heart would be aching, a pain clenching down on his chest at being openly rejected. “Let’s find somewhere to talk.”

The young paladin let himself be led away, looking a mix between shocked and lost.

“Did I… Did I do something wrong?” Lance’s young voice cracked, unshed tears making his eyes shimmer for a moment.

Older Lance’s lips thinned. What could he say that wouldn’t break Pidge’s warning on them from revealing the future to their younger selves?

Future Keith’s voice grabbed both of their attentions, saving the older brunet from trying to think up a good enough excuse to explain away the outburst just moments ago. Both Lances looked over their shoulders, taking in the sight of the older Keith standing there, looking frustrated, but not directing that look to them, just to the closed door behind himself.

“No. He’s just… he’s just being him.” Keith grumbled, lips thinning to a tight line.

“Not going to talk to him? Maybe put him over your knee and give a hearty spanking?” Older Lance asked, a weak smile, trying to find humor in the moment to at least soften the moment a bit for his younger self.

Keith cut his husband a look, one that clearly said ‘not now’ but also ‘perhaps later though’. “No. Let him calm down for a bit before I talk to him. Maybe it’ll make him squirm.”

“Oooh. How fiendish.”

The young brunet let the pair lead him into a nearby room, heart feeling happiness and sadness at the exact same moment from their bantering.

It had been a possible future of his, that happiness, that love.

But if a minute ago was anything to know about his future, it was the knowledge that it just was not going to happen.

The young paladin was placed in a chair. The next chair was fetched by Keith, who settled it down in front of the young male, motioning for his husband to sit.

A soft thanks was mumbled, Lance taking the offered seat, fingers trailing over a strong arm.

Keith fetched his own seat next, placing it in front of the young brunet, while sitting beside the older one. In all of Keith’s years, the idea of being in a room with two Lance’s had only been a dream. And none of those dreams involved picking up the broken pieces of a tender heart.

Nothing was said.

And in that silence, the young paladin wrung his hands together, his heart aching, close to just cracking into pieces from the memory of how Keith looked at him minutes ago. That anger… that… His hands squeezed tightly together, enough to make them hurt.

“I have to be doing something wrong…”

The couple both looked at the saddened male, watching his hands loosen from their tight grip to return to wringing together over and over, head bowed, but eyes still visible, still struck with the pain and shock from his fellow paladin’s earlier outburst.

“No…” Lance reached out, putting his hand over those twisting ones, silently encouraging his younger self to not tear himself up over this. “You haven’t been doing anything wrong.”

“He’s right.”

Young eyes rolled up, head still lowered.

Keith smiled. “Listen… we can’t really say too much, without possibly ruining your timeline and messing something up. But we can at least tell you that Keith… your Keith, he just needs some time. Me at that age, I was always angry, always looking for a fight. And change, big drastic change like this, is just cutting that fuse all the shorter.”

Lance lifted his hand, fingers hovering by his mouth like a shield, voice lowered to a whisper. Knowing full well his husband would still hear him. He spoke with a teasing tone, trying again to lighten the mood. “He still gets all snippy at changes. I made a soup once with red potatoes instead of white and he pouted for days.”

“Lance.”

The young paladin’s breath trembled with a light laugh, a smile tugging his lips from the way the older Keith chided at his older self.

Keith took his stern look from his husband and back to the younger male, softening his face to go back to that gentle smile. “He’ll get better, eventually. We just all take time to get to the place we need to be. To be the person we should be.”

“He’s right.” Lance rubbed the younger male’s hands, smiling as he felt them relax. “It took time for all of us – for Shiro, Allura, Hunk, the others – to grow to where we are now. To be who we are. So it’s not so easy to pinpoint when... when things will become different for you two. Because they were never really normal.”

“And even if it’s not your Keith that you eventually marry, you’re going to find someone who will treat you like you want, like you deserve.”

Young blue eyes locked onto Keith’s. He watched sadness and wonder swirl there, sparkled with a longing. “We… We won’t be together in this timeline?”

Keith winced.

What was he to say? How could he really know?

If Slav and Pidge taught him anything, it was that no matter how sure one timeline, or set of events, could be, it did not always mean it would be in another.

“I… I don’t know.” Keith confessed.

The thought of never ending up with Lance was like a punch to his gut. But that was because he loved Lance. Whole heart and soul, toss away the key, burn the marriage certificate for no-refund kind of love.

So it was somewhat heart crushing to keep trying to put hope into his husband’s younger self in the idea that if it wasn’t him, it’d be someone.

The older Lance leaned over, his shoulder bumping his husband’s, catching the eyes of his younger self. The bump snapped Keith out of his dilemma spiral, while causing the young paladin to focus on himself. “Listen, I know it’s hard, and maybe you want your Keith to be your one. And I am a bit biased because to me, Keith is the one. But there are so many people in your life that you know, and will meet, that could change your heart.” He leaned forward, smiling. “You’re going to get that happily ever after, okay? Even if it’s with someone else.”

“Just don’t force it or push for it. All things fall in line with time.” Keith put his hand on his husband’s knee, the wedding band shimmering in the room’s light. “It took even us time to get to this point. We are fifteen years older, after all.”

A nod, and the young paladin watched how his older self put his hand over Keith’s, just the tips of their fingers lacing together.

He could only hope that such a love came to fruition in his life.

“Now come on.” Keith stood, guiding his husband up by turning his hand over to hold the other’s, rising them from their seats. “You two should go get a nice snack together while I go see if my younger self has calmed down enough to be reasoned with.”

Before the young paladin could think to stand, Keith’s other hand held out to him, offering him a hand up.

“O-Oh uhm…” The young Lance blushed, taking the offered hand and standing. “Thank you…”

Keith smiled. “Never a problem. I’d always do that for you.”

Young eyes shot up, widening, heart beating faster from the declaration. All the while, older blues watched with a suppressed grin, knowing Keith was going to flirt him up.

“You’re worth everything you deserve.” Keith lifted Lance’s young hand up, kissing over the other’s ring finger, violet eyes never leaving blue. “So do not let anyone treat you less for your heart.”

The young paladin nodded, eyes wide, the blush deepening.

Keith lowered Lance’s hand, leaning in. His voice lowered just enough to draw the other in, to almost feel the heat coming off of cute cheeks. “And even if it’s not me, you’ll get your someone, one day.”

Lips pressed firm and warm to Lance’s cheek, Keith giving the young male’s hand an affirming squeeze.

Doors to the room swept open, a young red paladin walking in, one hand scratching at the back of his neck as he looked abashed.

“Lance... I wanted to say I’m-”

The young raven stopped dead in his tracks, breath punching from his gut.

He watched as his older self leaned away from the young Lance’s cheek, eyes all turning to him, watching him. A blush plain as day was on Lance’s youthful face, those blue eyes wide, surprised like he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have.

The paladin saw red.

The younger Keith stormed over, grabbing his Lance’s hand, pulling the male away from the older pair. Even though his actions were angry filled, he never pulled so hard to hurt his fellow paladin, even as the young Lance stumbled for a moment, making a startled gasp. “Don’t you already have your own Lance to kiss?!” Young Keith snapped.

The blue paladin’s brows rose to his hairline with surprise. He went where Keith tugged, too stunned to fight, too confused to question what was going on. For as the warmth of older Keith’s lips still tingled his cheek, the heat of his Keith’s hand on his burned all the hotter.

The older couple watched on as the young Keith stomped himself out of the room, dragging the young Lance with him. But not before Keith looked over his shoulder, locking eyes with his older self, glaring as if the sun itself burned its heat behind his gaze, and seethed out his parting words, “Do that again and I’ll punch you next time!”

The door slid shut, a gentle movement compared to the harsh tone Keith’s voice carried.

A snicker caught the older raven’s attention.

He looked over to see his husband with a hand over his mouth, trying to fight back a laugh, tears on the corner of his eyes from the sheer fight he was putting up.

Keith smiled.

“Such an attitude, right?”

Lance bent forward, laughing so hard Keith knew the other would be getting a light throbbing headache from it. Tears streamed down Lance’s cheeks, wheezes gasped and rasped as Keith’s own laughter spurred Lance’s on longer.

When Lance could collect himself and not be almost on the floor, bent over, gut in pain from his heavy laughter, he rubbed at his eyes and cheeks, laughter still bouncing his voice. “O-Oh man!” He said, snickering. “Younger you really is just the cutest.”

Keith chuckled. “Cute?”

“Oh for sure!”

He turned, hands guiding his husband to face him, grinning as those laughter filled eyes locked onto his. “Perhaps he’s cute.” Keith’s words warmed, body drawn closer as if Lance was a gravitational pull he never fought against. “But to me, you, both of you, is much cuter.”

Lance snickered as Keith pressed their lips together.

Fingers cupped behind Keith’s neck as they swayed in place, kisses growing, Keith’s hold on his hips a warm presence, an anchor to keep him from floating away.

When they parted, Lance put his head beside Keith’s, releasing a happy sigh.

“I think they’ll be okay.”

“I have no doubts in that, anymore.”

Lance smiled.

Perhaps they ruffled the feathers of this timelines beast, but neither could say they weren’t happy to help speed things on a little, to ensure that a future might become stronger and better, with their meddling.

Silently the couple wished luck to their respective younger selves.

For they’ll need that love to help them fight this war.