Ghost (Klance)

Chapter 3

The Paladins made short work of the remaining obstacles on the Raksor's path to their water source. The following exchange with Takumari was tense and could almost be considered hostile. Shiro didn't smile or tell the creature that he was welcome after he thanked them for their help. He simply nodded, his jaw clenched, eyes blazing.

None of the Paladins looked kindly upon the grateful alien. Takumari squirmed under their cold glare, his recent conversation still ringing in his ears. Despite their obvious resentment towards him, he thanked them graciously, assuring them that his people were forever indebted to them.

This was usually where Shiro would speak up, but seeing the defensive glint in his eyes, Allura stepped forward and shook Takumari's outstretched hand.

"You owe us nothing. The Paladins of Voltron help everyone and anyone in need. It was our pleasure to aid you," she grinned. Behind her, Pidge scoffed.

"And it'd also be our pleasure to break your nose," she muttered under her breath. Hunk scowled in agreement, and for once, Shiro didn't make any gesture to silence their impolite words. If you attack one of them, be it physical or verbal, you attack all of them. And they weren't about to let the raccoon like creature forget it.

Lance tapped his foot impatiently, not even bothering to pay attention to the exchange. Somewhere on the ship, Keith was probably festering in his own self-doubt and anger, or maybe even taking it out on some training dummy. Lance couldn't help but feel that it was all his fault. Sure, he hadn't done anything to make Takumari freak out on him, but...

He suppressed another guilty shudder as he recalled his own words. He needed Keith to know he didn't mean it. He needed Keith to forgive him. If not for the Red Paladin, than to relieve the pain of guilt stabbing at his chest.

Finally, the formalities were over with, and team was free to return to the ship. They very nearly ran back to their lions and boarded without a word, flying back to the ship. They had just left the planet's atmosphere when Pidge snapped.

"It just isn't fair," she grumbled over the intercom. "Keith's never done anything wrong, but just because he's...he's..." she trailed off in her anger. Shiro sighed, his rage having slowly given into disappointment.

"It's not fair, Pidge, but... we have to remember that a lot of species have been under Galra suppression for thousands of years. Even if Keith is innocent, it's hard for people to accept him. They don't have the same connection to him as we do. All we can do is be there for him, and make sure he knows that his heritage doesn't matter to us. He's still the same Keith he's always been," he reasoned. The team fell into a silence of agreement, and Allura tried not to feel as if Shiro had her in mind when speaking of the prejudice against the Galra. It wasn't until they had docked their lions and were about to enter the main area of the ship that the Blue Paladin spoke up.

"Can I... can I talk to him alone first?" he requested, his words receiving a few surprised looks from the others. Feeling a bit awkward, Lance quickly added, "I want to make sure that idiot accepts my apology."

Shiro allowed a small huff of a laugh, but nodded, casting a look around the group to ensure they were all in agreement.

"Sure, Lance," he replied. After a brief pause, he looked the teen carefully in the eyes. "Just... don't do anything stupid, alright?"

Lance rolled his eyes, shooting him a sour smirk.

"I'll pretend you didn't say that," he grinned, pulling off his helmet as he left the room. Out of his peripheral, Lance saw Pidge whisper something to Hunk, making him laugh. Shiro shot them both looks, suppressing his own smile. The Blue Paladin frowned slightly as he rounded the corner, getting the feeling that whatever Pidge had said had something to do with him...

He brushed the thought away, tucking his helmet under his arm. He had more important things to worry about. Upon reaching the Red Paladin's room, Lance hesitated. His stomach churned at the thought of having to ask Keith for anything, and was starting to have doubts about his resolve for forgiveness... He shook his head firmly, then knocked on the door.

"Yo, Keith, it's Lance. You in there?" he called. There was a moment of silence, then a slightly muffled voice replied.

"If I say no, will you go away?" Lance frowned, putting a hand on his hip stubbornly.

"If I say no, will you open the door?"

"No."

Lance gave an over-dramatized sigh, examining his bayard. A sudden idea lit a mischievous fire in his eyes, and a smirk pulled at his lips.

"Oh well," he sang. "I didn't want to blast the door open, but if you really want to be a reclusive git..." he trailed off, his gun flashing into existence in his hands, holding it to the door so the sound was better heard. His smirk grew when there was sudden scuffle from within the room, the door sliding open only a few moments later.

Lance grinned smugly into the burning look Keith was giving him, his deep purple eyes holding a dangerous light. He looked like he wanted to say something to the pretentious paladin, but instead just huffed in annoyance, turning away from the hall and walking back into his room. Taking that as as good of an invitation he was going to get, Lance crossed the threshold, putting his bayard away. He stood awkwardly in the center of the room, every ounce of his being regretting having come here...

Keith dropped onto his bed, his elbows on his knees, a tired look in his eyes. He regarded the other paladin for a moment before raising an eyebrow.

"Did you come in here to waste my time, or do you have something to say?" he inquired scathingly. Lance gave him a sour look, tossing his helmet onto the bedside table next to Keith's Marmora blade.

"I came in here to make sure you were alright, smart ass," he spat back. The dark haired teen let out a short, humorless laugh, falling onto his back, his eyes trained on the ceiling.

"Well then you can go ahead and leave, because I'm fine," he grumbled. Lance opened his mouth for another biting retort, but his words faltered on his tongue when he noticed the broken look in Keith's eyes.

"I think your nose is getting longer, Pinocchio," Lance finally spoke again, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. The Red Paladin made eye-contact with the other for a heartbeat, then scowled, rolling onto his side to face the wall.

"I think you're walking dangerously close to a line you don't want to cross," he warned. Not bothered by the threat, Lance rolled his eyes.

"Listen, Keith, what happened on that planet... What I said, what Takumari did, it's not..." Keith cut him off, sitting up with a huff and facing the brunette.

"Just stop, Lance. Quit saying you're sorry, stop trying to make things okay. What happened happened, and I really just want to forget it. If you so desperately want me to forgive you, then, dammit, stop bringing it up!" His voice wavered ever so slightly, and Lance felt cold inside when he noticed the glassy look in his eyes, as if glossed over with water. He couldn't help but stare, a bit shocked by both the words and how deeply wounded Keith really was.

The dark-haired teen noticed Lance staring at him and angrily wiped at his eyes, refusing to let any tears fall. He got to his feet, shaking his head.

"You should really just go," he muttered, beginning to usher the other out the door. He hated feeling weak, especially in front of Lance, of all people. He was sure that the paladin would use this against him later... He could already hear the jabs...

Crybaby...

How about you go cry to your mother about it? I bet you can find her in the next Galra fleet we pass...

A bit disoriented and not quite sure how to react, Lance numbly let himself be pushed out of the room and into the hall. Keith gave him a grim, joyless smile, his emotions once more carefully guarded behind the steel walls of his eyes.

"Do me a favor and don't come back."

Then the door slid closed, locking with a soft click.