Stay Alive

That Would Be Enough

Shiro accompanied Lance, Hunk and Pidge to the castle brig to confine Lotor, keeping his usual serious expression the whole time. But because he led the Garrison Trio, he didn't look back on occasion to see that Lance was glaring at him the whole time. It was no secret that Lance idolized Shiro from his days at the Galaxy Garrison. Of course he mentioned that Shiro was his hero at the beginning, but Lance usually went with Shiro most of the time. His preference for Shiro was why he wanted Shiro back in the Black Lion instead of Keith.

But now, as he glared and grit his teeth, Pidge and Hunk could visibly see that Lance was furious. Even the way he grabbed Lotor's arm like a vice grip indicated something was wrong. Pidge and Hunk looked at each other and shrugged. Neither had any real idea why Lance was angry, just that he'd been acting this way ever since they escaped Naxzela.

Maybe it was because they just barely escaped certain death by the skin of their teeth?

Whatever it was would have to wait for a while. Lotor took priority. The team didn't know the circumstances of how he came to them, just that he came to them. It made him dangerous in this very way, forcing them to grip him tightly and keep a weapon trained on him. They were not going to underestimate him.

But, his grin not only unnerved them, it visibly unnerved them. They were already losing whatever game they might be playing just by letting him get into their heads, under their skin or whatever you want to say. Only Shiro, the consummate professional, showed no emotion as they walked. He would not be swayed. The trio admired him.

But now, Lance was glaring at Shiro. He also kept hoping that Shiro wouldn't turn around to see his glare. Or maybe he did hope Shiro would turn around. He hoped that no one would blame him for his anger, but if he wanted to share it, he would have to wait for it. Although it often felt like he was simply waiting for something all the time, like a girl to finally return his flirting. That would take time, of course. And girls weren't an intergalactic war.

But he still looked and felt like he was going to burst at any moment, a fact that Pidge and Hunk could see and feared. They knew Lance. He was usually laid-back, or chasing after the nearest girl. Where had this super-serious Lance come from? Not that it was a bad thing, it's just that they weren't used to this brand new concept. Lance? Silently stewing in his juices? This was serious. And it only took a second to look from Lance's gaze to see whom his target of derision was. They'd expected Lotor, but Shiro? This seemed almost out-of-character to them.

Or maybe Lance could be like this all the time, and they didn't know about it. It's not like he took anything seriously at the Garrison. But this wasn't the Garrison, this was Voltron.

It had been their first real taste of action after weeks of putting on a stupid stage show to help build the Coalition, but maybe it wasn't necessary. Well, to be fair, Coran had been infected by a brain parasite turning him into a regular PT Barnum. Then, the coalition had the opportunity to attack Naxzela, which had been one of the last Galra strongholds in this sector. But throwing all their eggs in one basket only to fall for such an obvious trap was a very risky gamble, and they'd just managed to snatch a stalemate from the jaws of defeat.

And Lance blamed Shiro.

"I take it you don't like me," Lotor joked, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Lotor, you disgust me," said Pidge.

"Ah, so you have discussed me," Lotor quipped.

"We just did!" Lance answered.

"Before, of course," said Lotor. "I supposed you will need to earn my trust?"

"Knock it off," Shiro interrupted. "Stop asking questions. You're our prisoner, so act like it."

"Apologies," said Lotor. "I am and will remain your obedient servant."