Nothing is Good in War Except it's Ending-Voltron x Reader

Chapter Sixteen: A Choice

My grandparents weren't there. Instead, my uncle and aunt were. Something about the elders moving to a new place and giving it to them and all that. What I cared about was seeing my new cousin.

He was small, only a baby. Six months old. He seemed to really like my hair, as he kept grabbing it. No pulling, just lots of touching.

"So, (Y/n), who are these five guys you've brought us?" My aunt Christine asked after teaching me how to hold her child correctly.

"These are the Paladins that make up Voltron. Massive robot. Long boring explanation. Lots of explosions." I said shortly.

"Ah. Interesting. So that's what the Galra were talking about?" My Uncle Tom asked.

"Correct." I nodded.

Shiro held out a hand to shake. "I'm Shiro." He said, very politely. I grinned.

Tom shook, and so did Christine.

"That's Lance, Keith, Hunk and Pidge." He gestured to the others, who waved or gave grins (Lance).

"Is Nunarae still with you, dear?" Christine asked.

I nodded as her kid poked my chin. I looked down at him with a confused expression.

"How is she?" Christine pushed.

"I'm doing fine." Said goddess announced. The five had taken off their helmets, so they couldn't hear her anymore.

"She's... she's fine." I was having trouble developing words. It felt like the entire trip with the Galra had all been some very vivid nightmare. It was hard to keep the tears away.

"That's good. Why don't you all sit down in the living space and rest?" Tom suggested.

Without waiting for an answer, Christine gently ushered me to the living area, and sat me on a circular couch. It looked like a donut in ways. The other paladins joined me, keeping a respectful distance. My friends joined Tom and Christine in the kitchen after that.

I looked down at my tiny cousin, and felt my thoughts go spiralling into darkness. He was too pure for this world. Too young. Too innocent. It was a disgrace that he had to be born at this time. In this war. He was in a completely different universe. A blissful, happy one.

I didn't realize I was crying until his pudgy hand reached up and touched my cheek. I saw that he looked like he was going to cry, too. I smiled down at him, and his sullen expression turned into a goofy smile.

"(Y/n)... are you okay...?" Hunk asked hesitantly.

"Better than okay..." I whispered horsely, as I curled around my tiny cousin. He made babbling and squeaking noises.

"Do you want to stay here?" Shiro ventured, and I looked up at them. My heart sank.

Did I? Did I want to stay in this place with my beautiful family and friends? Did I want to forget all that happened? Did I want to laugh and sing and play like I used to do? Did I want to wrestle and look around and argue and pick fights and defend with my friends? Did I want to go to school here and learn?

Yes. I did. I really did.

But I also didn't feel worthy of this place. Not just yet. I felt like I still needed time to adjust to my freedom, to not want to cry at the first glance of a friend or family member. I wanted to gain control of my emotions. And most of all, I wanted the stupid anthropomorphic purple hyenas to pay for what they'd done. Oh, and the Paladins were also my friends.

I finally shook my head. "I'm staying with you guys, if you don't mind an extra loud mouth."

I felt Pidge cuff my shoulder, as they were the closest to me. My cousin giggled, and I looked down at him.

"Is my pain funny to you?" I asked him.

He only giggled, and booped my nose.

I frowned at him.

"This child is amusing." Nunarae said, clearly intrigued.

I heard a soft rumble come from outside through the open window. Christine popped into the room.

"How about you all stay for the night and destroy things tomorrow? We've prepared food." She suggested.

At the mention of food, all the Paladins disappeared from the room. I was left there, cuddling with my cousin on the donut couch. I didn't think twice about falling asleep.