Growing Pains (A Voltron Legendary Defender Fan Fiction)

Chapter 1

Keith watched as the knife in his hand, elongated into a blade. "What is this? What's going on?"

"That blade can only be activated by someone who possesses Galra blood," Kolivan answered.

"So... what... does that mean?" Keith asked in fear.

"It means..." Kolivan sneered, "You are a monster..."

Keith looked down at his reflection in the blade and screamed when he saw a Galra version of himself staring back. As the blade clattered to the ground...

Keith shot up from his bed out of breath. He was panting as he fumbled for the glass of water sitting on his nightstand. It had been over a month since his first meeting with the Blades of Marmora, and he had suffered from nightmares almost every night since.

He let out a sigh as he slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed. On nights like these, it was impossible for him to fall back asleep after he had had a nightmare. He figured if he was going to be awake, he might as well make himself useful.

Keith glanced around the bridge when his eyes finally landed on Shiro, who was sitting reading a book. They always tried to keep one person awake at all times, just in case of an emergency.

"Hey." Keith sat down next to him.

"Keith?" Shiro set his book down. "What are you doing up so late."

He shrugged, "I just wasn't very tired. I figured since I was up already; I could take your shift for you if you wanted."

"Pidge told me that you took over her shift last night." Shiro looked at him with concern, "And Hunk said that you took over for him the night before. And the night before that was your own shift. Keith, are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine." He snapped, before looking down, "I'm sorry. I just... I have a lot on my mind and... when I try to sleep, it's like that's all I can think about."

Shiro stood up and laid a hand on his shoulder. "I know how you feel. Sometimes it feels like... like the fate of the entire universe, is in our hands. Which... it is in a way... but you can't let it get to you. We are working on a plan to defeat Zarkon for good, so we can finally end this war. We just have to have faith. The Galra will pay for what they have done."

Keith took in his words, even though they made him feel the opposite of comforted. If Shiro knew who he really was... what he really was... would he still be trying to make him feel better right now? Or would he be one of the Galra who are paying for their crimes?

"I... thanks Shiro..." he said quietly, moving his shoulder out from under Shiro's hand.

Shiro's eyes filled with sadness, "Keith... if there's anything you want to take about... I'm here for you. You're my little brother, I want to make sure you're ok."

"I'm alright." He mustered up the best smile he could, hoping it didn't look too fake. "I guess... the anticipation is just getting to me. I'm ready for all of this to be over. Ready to be back on earth, just living a normal life."

"I know." Shiro smiled, "Don't worry, it'll all be over soon."

"Thanks, Shiro," Keith smiled. For real this time. As long as the team didn't find out he was Galra, he really didn't have anything to worry about.

"Now, how would you feel about playing one of these Altean board games?" Shiro asked.

"Aren't you going to bed?" Keith asked. "I can take over for you."

"Nah." Shiro assured, "I've been sleeping all day to prepare myself for staying up tonight. If I go to bed now, it would really mess up my sleep schedule. Besides, I figured you could use some company."

"Do you even know how to play any of these?" he questioned.

"Nope!" Shiro grinned, "But I figured we could figure it out together!"

"Alright..." Keith chuckled. He knew that Shiro was only acting this goofy for his own benefit, but he didn't mind. Shiro always did have a talent for cheering him up.

"Great!" Shiro began setting up the board, and soon, they were trying to decipher the rules of a ten-thousand-year-old board game. After just a few minutes, Keith was soon fast asleep. Shiro smiled as he took his jacket off and wrapped it around the smaller boy's shoulders.

"I just wish you would open up to me. I hate to see you hurting yourself like this..." he gently ran his hand through his hair a chuckled when Keith made a noise akin to a purring sound. "Oh, I wish I had a camera right now..." he laughed quietly before walking back over to his book. Little did he know, that was the first dreamless sleep Keith had gotten in months. 

(A/N - Hey guys! Thanks for reading. I hope you're liking it so far. I update every weekend. SO stay tuned! When I say Vol, you say...)