The Sixth Paladin

Chapter Eight

"Wow," you whispered as the newly formed Voltron loomed over you and the Alteans.

"It is quite extraordinary, isn't it?" you jumped at the voice but turned to see that it was just a smiling Allura.

"Yeah." you paused. "It must be terrifying to be in Voltron form, especially as a limb."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well," you explained, "it can't be very fun to be flung around a lot. Also, you may end up facing the ground or upside down if you're an arm."

"I've never thought about that. Maybe you should ask Keith about it, he's an arm." you looked at her in disbelief, then burst out laughing. She joined you as Voltron started to disband.

"Oh god," you both managed to stop laughing long enough to catch your breath, "poor dude, it must be so awful." the lions landed and everyone walked towards you and the Princess to greet you.

"You girls ok? Your faces are really red." Shiro shot you and Allura a concerned look.

You explained you and Allura's conversation, and Pidge conceded with the statement.

"Yeah, it does kinda suck." he looked at Keith, "You agree?"

Keith nodded and took his helmet off. The Lions flew back to the castle, and you and the rest of the group followed. You and Keith lagged behind to talk in private.

"You sleep ok last night? You know, after we talked?" you nodded and gave him a little smile.

He reflexively went to stick his hands in his pockets, but then realized he didn't have any. "Oh goddammit." he hung his head sheepishly, allowing his hair to cover his face.

"Haha, dork." your smile morphed into a mocking grin, and he lightly elbowed you in the ribs.

"Shut up." he then gave you a side hug. "It's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back. I missed yo- wait, hold on." you looked him up and down. Then you realized it, how did you not noticed it before?

"You got taller." you groaned. You had already needed to be on your tiptoes to be at eye level with him.

"Either I got taller or you just got shorter."

"I hate you so much." you glared at him as you both earned a small smile from Shiro.

"What's so funny?" you smirked. You had been smiling so much the past couple days, it was refreshing. It hadn't happened in a long time. You all walked into the castle.

"I'm gonna go put on real clothes, meet you guys in the lounge in a few minutes, I guess," Keith said. He waved bye and walked down the hall, turning a corner. The rest of the paladins followed suit, except for Shiro.

"I'm sorry that I was listening to you guys' conversation, just," he sighed, "in all the time I've known that boy, I've never seen him that happy. Thank you, so much." he patted you on the shoulder.