Don't Ask, I'll Never Tell

Keith Tells

Keith watched as Lance turned to leave.   Each step appeared in slow motion; the way his hands shifted to rest in his jacket pockets, how the slight draft stirred the small hairs on his head, the way he swayed as he walked. Did Keith care? He tried not to. He forced his eyes to the floor. But each step from Lance sent another wave of panic crashing down on him. The voice whom Keith hated only minutes before took on an urgent tone 'do something you idiot!' It screamed.

Before Keith could comprehend what he was doing, he leaped forward and seized Lances hand. "Don't leave." He said with growing embarrassment.

Lance whirled around, stealing a glance at their intertwined hands and raised an eyebrow. However, for once in all the time that Keith had known him, Lance didn't utter a word. Instead, he pulled Keith into a tight embrace.

Keith was never one to enjoy physical contact with other people. Crowds and attention always had a way of irritating him. For that reason, he often went off on his own to avoid it. However, after everything they went through after joining Voltron, Keith quickly learned that there were exceptions to this rule. Sometimes hugging someone was nice. But he would never admit it.

"You're hot." Lance's words caught him off guard.

Keith's face flushed. "I'm what?"

"You're, like, really hot." Lance placed a hand on Keith's forehead. "You're burning up! I thought your fever went away."

"It did." Keith replied forcefully. "I don't have a fever. This happens a lot, actually."

"Since when?"

"Calm down, Lance! It's fine."

"Are you in pain? Are you feeling faint? Quick, how many fingers am I holding up?"

"Lance, that's not how medical science works. And it's a three, by the way. I can see just fine." Keith deadpanned. Then, as if realizing that his pained expression wasn't helping his case, he continued with a weak smile. "Thanks for your concern though."

"That thing you said earlier. That thing you wanted to tell me; does it have anything to do with this?"

"The fever, you mean?"

Lance nodded. "And the fainting spells as well."

Keith hesitated. 'Tread lightly' the voice in his head cautioned. After a moment of consideration, he nodded. "Lance. Before I tell you what I'm about to say, I want you to promise not to tell anyone." Keith was afraid that his pounding heart would burst from his chest.

Lance nodded, rising his right hand. "I won't tell a soul."

"Absolutely no one." Keith stressed. "Not Shiro. Nor Pidge. Not even Hunk."

"What's so big about this secret?"

"I'm... I'm... the 'G' word." Keith couldn't bring himself to say it.

Lance paused, confusion tugging at his features. "But I thought you said you weren't gay."

"Not THAT 'G' word!" Keith rolled his eyes.

"Keith, work with me here. I can't read your mind and you're sending me mixed messages."

"How am I sending you mixed messages?"

"That time when-- you know what? Never mind. Maybe you're just a guy with some flare. Everyone needs a bit of flare in their life. But you don't have nearly as much flare as me."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm saying that you may be pretty cool, but I'm pretty awesome!"

Keith scoffed at this. "Sounds like you're coming out to me." He commented nonchalantly.

Lance's face flushed. "Hey! So that thing you were talking about earlier! We should really stay on topic."

Keith took a deep breath. "Lance, I'm not exactly... fully human. I am human, don't get me wrong. Mostly human. But there's a part of me that isn't. I've tried to keep it contained. I don't like that part of me. It's impulsive and destructive. I hate it. But I can never rid myself of it because it's still me." Keith could hear his heartbeat in his throat now. "Lance, the truth is, I'm part Galra. I always have been. But I didn't know until about four weeks ago." Keith stole a glance at Lance, who's face contorted in confusion then bewilderment. Keith balled his hands into fists at his sides then relaxed them over and over in growing anxiety. "You won't have to worry about me." Keith gritted his teeth, refusing to make eye contact. "It's not like I'm going to turn on any of you. I'm still the same person! I--!" Keith cut himself off when he felt warm lips making contact with his forehead.

"Is that all?" Lance asked gently.

Keith forced himself to meet Lance's gaze. "Yeah?"

Lance laughed. "By the way you were going on about it, I thought you were gonna tell me you were some sort of space vampire. But Galra Keith..." he scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't see that coming."

"Wait. So you're fine with it? The Galra are our enemies. They've destroyed entire civilizations and force their prisoners to fight like gladiators! They kidnapped Shiro! Everyone on the Voltron team has their own reasons to despise them!" Keith paced the room before settling down on the bed once again. Lance followed suit, sitting beside him.

"True. But you didn't do any of that." Lance replied.

"Yeah, but could you imagine what the others will think when they find out? Sure, they care about me now. But a Galra is a Galra. Once my secret's out, it won't matter. They will look at me and see a monster. Nothing more."

"I don't."

"Then tell me what YOU see."

"Well I could if you'd just let me see your face." Keith felt warm hands  squish his cheeks and force him to face Lance. "Hm... you seem oddly fishlike to me."

"Lancsh! Stahp!" Keith scowled. Lance pecked him on the nose and released Keith's face.

"Now you look like Keith. Whether you're partly Galra or full Galra, you're still Keith." Lance moved to stand and stretched his arms.

"Well, regardless, you promised that you wouldn't tell."

"You're right. And I won't." He crossed the room until he stood in the doorway, looking over his shoulder at Keith. "Hey, are you hungry? I was gonna grab some lunch right about now. Wanna come?"

"Thanks but I already ate." Keith replied.

"Alright then. See ya!" Lance waved and disappeared.

Keith watched the door until Lance's footfalls were too far away to hear then lay back on his bed. He finally told someone. He told the secret that has plagued him with anxiety for so long. It was almost therapeutic in a way, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He never expected Lance to be the first to find out. But it ended better than he thought. Keith paused as the the memory of the last few minutes replayed in his head. Wait a minute... Keith's eyes widened and his face flushed. Did Lance just kiss him?