Don't Ask, I'll Never Tell

Not Alone Anymore

"There it is," Lance said over the comm. "What do you think?"

"It reminds me of a smaller version of earth."

"I know, right? Coran told me about it a while ago when I described our home planet. That's how I knew about this place."

Grass swayed in the breeze as their lions touched down. Wind ruffled Keith's hair after he opened the doorway to the outside. He turned to the clearing to find Lance already laying face up in the grass. His head rested on his arms while his left leg was crossed over his right knee.

"Hey," Lance said nonchalantly.

"Hey," Keith responded before moving to sit about a foot away.

They were silent for a beat before Lance spoke. "I want to apologize."

Lance's words took Keith off guard. "Apologize? For what?"

"I pushed you to the breaking point so many times but I've never seen you lose it like you did back in the arena. Seeing you like that was kinda scary."

Keith dropped his gaze and tore at the grass. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's not what you think. I wasn't afraid that you would hurt me. I was afraid of how much it hurt you."

"What?" Keith asked breathlessly.

Lance sat up. "You hate that side of you. You want nothing more than to erase it from your heritage. But you can't. You're part Galra, but that doesn't make you a monster. Monsters come in all forms. Some just happen to be Galra."

"But that doesn't condone what I have done." Keith picked at the grass and tore the blades apart in his fingers. "I almost killed you. I know that I would have done it if I wasn't stopped." He hid his face in his left hand. "I'm messed up, aren't I?"

Lance reached for Keith's other hand but thought better of it and rested his hand in his lap." No. You're not messed up. I think you're perfect the way you are, actually."

"I don't know. I mean, you guys are stuck dealing with me. I would hate to have to put up with me all the time." Keith pulled his knees up to his chest.

"We don't put up with you. Voltron wouldn't be the same without you." He met Keith's eyes. "I kinda... w-well I-I..." He stumbled over his words. "The truth is-- OH I GIVE UP!" He threw himself into the grass in frustration.

"You give up on what?" Keith asked.

Lance pressed his face into his hands and mumbled into the ground.

"Lance, I can't hear you when you're covering your mouth like that."

Lance rolled over onto his back to face him. He uncovered his mouth and grabbed fistfuls of grass in either hand. "I- I" Lance squinted his eyes shut as his face turned a deep shade of red. He couldn't even look at Keith right now. "I LIKE YOU, OKAY?" Immediately, he rolled over and covered his face again.

Keith stiffened in shock for a moment then relaxed and smiled softly. "I like you too."

Lance shot to his knees. "You what?"

"What?" Keith felt his face go red. "I'm not saying it again."

"No, say it again. Please."