Where are you now? (Keith x Reader) [discontinued]

17|| Stress

A few hours later, Allura walked in. After several arguments and death threats, Keith finally won and I got to come out of my cell. The moment the wall was down I leapt on top of Keith, crushing him in a hug. Thankfully, he kept his balance and returned the gesture. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, trying my hardest not to cry.

"I love you too Jade," Keith said, and I could sense his content. We stood there for... a long time. I know, I'm the master at description.

"Never let me go," I said, my voice muffled slightly. I felt his lips by my ear, whispering comforting words to sooth me. I listened to him, calming down, cherishing what I had of him right now.

"Jade. We need to go now." Keith whispered. He let go of me, and I gave him a small whimper. "Everyone else wants to see you."

He took my hand and led me to the lounge, as if I had never been on the castle. After following the familiar corridors, we found ourselves in the lounge, where the rest of the team was waiting. Jared's fluffy ears perked up as soon as he heard footsteps. He saw me and lept up from his spot,  greeting me with a small kiss to the forehead.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" He exclaimed, stepping back. "I was so worried when you blacked out on the pod... I had thought.."

"I'm fine now, and that's what matters," I said confidently. Jared gave me a smile. I walked over to the rest of the team, who had greeted me rather stiffly, but they were just glad I was alright. Lance was the worst.

When I walked up to him to give him a hug, he shrunk back, signaling that I shouldn't hug him. I stepped back awkwardly, lacing my hands together and clearing my throat.

"It's good to see you Lance."

"Yeah," He said quietly, not making eye contact. Kekini seemed to notice this and asked to see me outside. I obliged and left the room.

"Is Lance okay?" I asked Kekini softly. She looked glum.

"Everyone was affected in some way after you left, but it affected Lance the most of all," Kiwi said. "He's been quieter, more shut off from the team since you left. You really hurt him, Jade."

"I knew it would hurt him, but it was to protect him," I said, sure of my words. Kiwi gave me a kind smile.

"I know that, and so does he. He just doesn't want you to protect him, he wants to protect you. He probably thinks it's his fault that you left, that he did something wrong, that he should have stopped you."

I sighed, looking back on when I had first met Voltron. When everything was simple. "Kiw- Kekini. I'm sorry. Everything just seems terrible and sad because of me. I'm a burden to this team now."

"You aren't Jade. You brought joy to the team, and while you did have your... outbursts, we still love you. You are a part of the Voltron team- no, family."

I looked down, not feeling much better. "I see."

Kekini seemed desperate now. "Look, you did not make everyone sad and serious. The war did that."

"I made it worse."

"Maybe you did, but what you did had a valid reason, and now you're back, and we can win this once and for all."

I put a smile on for Kekini. I had to be strong, especially now. "Thanks Kiwi, it means a lot to me."

Kekini smiled widely. "I'm glad I could help."

"By the way, how are you and Lance?"

"I've been trying to help him, but he just seems so down, I think only you can help him."

"I see. I'm going to train for a little, if you don't mind. I need some time alone to think."

Kiwi nodded. "I understand. I'll let the others know."

I gave her a small nod of gratitude and headed to the training deck. I needed to learn more about my abilities and limits.

"Start training level ten," I shouted. Three robots appeared, running at me with rage. I tried shifting into my wolf form, and, with some difficulty, I managed. I bit into one's chest, slashed at another, and whacked the last one across the room. Easy.

"Start training level twenty!"

This time, six robots came at me. I slashed and hit, and I was doing great until one stabbed my leg. Howling, I bit the robot furiously and threw it, making it hit the wall with a thud and leaving a dent there.

"END TRAINING SIMULATION!" I gasped. Wincing, I turned back into a human and looked at my leg. My thigh was gushing blood, but there was also something stuck in it. Nauseated and nervous, I touched the wound gingerly to pull it out. After several painful attempts, I tore a piece of my sleeve off, bit down on it, and ferociously pulled at the thing in my leg.

Good news: it came out.

Bad news: I screamed really loud.

With tears flooding down my cheeks, I studied the object further. It was no bigger than a quarter, and it was a shiny silver color. What was this thing?

Suddenly, I heard several footsteps pounding down the hall. Keith, Jared, and Kekini all ran in, terrified. Did I really scream that loud?

"JADE!" Keith yelled.

"Are you okay?" Kekini asked frantically. I smiled at them all.

"I'm fine, just a training accident." The three of them relaxed at the same time, almost making me giggle. "But I did get stabbed."

Kekini nodded and left the room to get healing supplies. Keith jogged over to me and took the little sphere out of my hand. "What the hell is this?"

I shrugged. Jared took the thing from Keith, who shot him a glare. After cleaning off the object on the shirt, Jared squinted at it. A few moments passed before a look of shock grew on his face.

"What is it?" Keith demanded. Jared didn't respond, but kept staring at it. Finally, he swallowed.

"We need to get rid of this. NOW!" Jared yelled, running out. I gave Keith a sheepish smile, gesturing to my leg. Wordlessly, he picked me up and ran out after Jared. We lost him.

I sniffed the air for Jared's scent, leading Keith through the halls. We found him in the Black Lion's hangar, trying to open it up. 

"JARED!" I yelled. Jared looked back, horrified.

"You need to get out of here!"

"Not until you give us a valid reason why," I said stubbornly. I had never seen Jared so scared.

"Jade, you don't understand."

"What don't I understand?"

"T-This thing... it killed me."