Sick

Chapter 2

KEITHS POV

I was happy. No, I was giddy. I bounced in my seat, I skipped down the hall, I hummed. My emptiness was gone, now replaced with something better. I felt alive. I felt as if I had chugged a gallon of coffee. I needed help. Lance seemed indifferent, talking it up with Hunk and Pidge, but I still couldn't believe that I had talked to him! And I didn't even insult him! Not once(I'm probably a little too proud of that fact). I wonder if Lance noticed. He probably didn't.. he already has so many friends. I wilted a little bit, thinking about that fact. I shook it off though. Shiro noticed the difference at dinner. "What's up with you?" He seemed amused. "Nothing." I said quickly. Shiro turned back towards Allura and laughed at something she said. Shiro always acted different around her, and she around him. I guess that's what people talked about when they said they had a 'crush' or were dating. I watched their mannerisms, them trading back to back jokes. They seemed so comfortable around each other. I mean, they could just be friends, but I would seriously doubt it. They were like the ultimate power couple. I thought about it. I'd like a relationship like that. Maybe with... Lance. No. Why. Why was that the first person that came to mind?? He was so so annoying, and, well, male. I guess I wouldn't mind dating a guy, but I've never tried it. Besides, who even knew if Lance liked guys? Not me.  I tried to convince myself that it was just a day dream. A fleeting thought, one that passed your mind, but you never really got a hold of it. But as I thought about it more, it was definitely not that. I pushed the thought away, too scared of my feelings to address them. "Keith?" Hunk asked. Hunk was one of my favorites. He was just so friendly. He was like the human equivalent of a cinnamon roll.
"Yeah?" I answered. He smiled. "Do you want to train with me today? I kind of need a new partner. Lance decided to go with Pidge so..." he looked quite nervous. I have him a full smile.
"Of course, Hunk! I'd love to!" He looked relieved. "Thanks!" He went back to shoveling the green goo in his mouth. I smiled happily. That was the first time anyone besides Shiro had wanted me to be their partner. It was only because of convenience, but still. I didn't really know Hunk's fighting style, so this might prove to be a challenge for me. Excellent. I would need all the help I could get if we were to defeat Zarkon.
                                ***
Sweat was pouring out of every inch of my body. Who knew Hunk was so freaking fierce? He was kind of a berserker, just going at it with his blaster until he hit something. It's was actually a kind of good strategy- it was very likely that he would hit something of importance, either behind you or yourself. I had managed to dodge almost all the attempts, except one. I got hit once, at the very beginning, and Hunk apologized profusely before I reminded him that this was training, it was kind of the point to hurt each other. I was just dodging another attack when Allura's serene voice came over the intercom thingie.
"We are done with physical exercise today, the rest of the session will be used towards mental practice."
I groaned. Mental practices were the worst. I was pretty good at them, but I still don't like the feeling of everyone rummaging around in my memories and thoughts. I knew how to hide things, whether it be a secret or the fact that I was Galra. And it worked, for a while. But then the Blade of Marmora intervened and my secret was out. Well... I kind of had a part in that, too. But you will never hear me admit it. Out loud, I said, "But why? We do this every other day. Zarkon's never attacked us with his mind before." Shiro raised one of his eyebrows. "Speak for yourself. I almost got killed because I didn't know how to protect my mind from Zarkon. Think before you speak next time. " I flushed an unflattering shade of red. I know he was just trying to be the father I never had, but sometimes it could be quite bothersome. Allura's voice once again came over the speakers. "Never mind, Paladins. We are very near to a planet that needs rescuing from Galra troops. They have goods that we need, so we also need to make a pit stop there. Any questions?" She paused, waiting for any. After no one spoke for a minute, Coran spoke. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go save the Daehutheans!"
I got up. Saved by the Galra. Shiro eyed me, as if he knew something was up. I hurriedly walked away, eager to take a ride in Red. Flying in him was normally a soothing activity. But it wasn't as soothing now. My conflicted emotions kept rising out of nowhere, invading my space and giving me a headache. "Hey, what the heck are Daehutheans, anyway?" Hunk asked. Coran answered. "A type of race. They hail from the planet Daehuthia. They usually are very tall and slender, with long flowing hair and glowing, iridescent skin."
"So like elves?" Lance excitedly but in. His voice sent a flutter through my body. Why did merely his voice send butterflies shooting through my stomach? I quickly shook my head, as if avoiding emotion was that easy. I kept my mind on other things, however. The planet was now in view. It was so amazing it took my breath away. With more of an oval shape, it immediately set itself apart from any other planet I had visited. It was a bright purple and pink, with little whorls of red and blue spreading across the surface like an intricate design. There was sparkling white lights dotting the surface; in short, it was the most beautiful planter I had ever seen. As we all flew down there, we had no idea what to expect. Believe me, if we did, we would have never even layed eyes on the place.