Voltron: Defender of the Outback

Chapter Five : Worth Fighting For

Kolivan did come back. During the time of peace they had, when they filled an entire photo book in six months and when Keith learned how to say his first word, 'No.'

Whenever he didn't like something, he'd just repeat his one word until he was satisfied.

"Keith, come on stop wiggling, you need to get your pants on." Austin pleaded with his son who wouldn't lay still on the couch.

"No!" Keith said loudly, kicking his legs in frustration.

"Keith, be nice to daddy." Krolia told him as she came up behind Austin.

"No, no no!" He cried out, he really didn't like pants at all.

"Keith, we can go look at stars if you're nice about your pants, okay?" Austin tried, and thankfully Keith stopped his fussing and looked up curiously. Almost every night the three of them would look at the sky, and Keith loved it. But the very idea of not seeing them was always enough to get him to settle down. So Austin took his chance and slipped the little pants onto Keith's legs.

"There we go! Isn't this better?" Krolia smiled at her son.

"...no."

They laughed at Keith's stubborn answer and his hatred of pants as Austin picked him up and carried him to the door with Krolia by his side.

"Let's go see the stars Keith."

"Na!" Keith babbled excitedly, hands waving in the air as they all went outside in the warm night. The family stood on the balcony when a night shooting star twinkled past in a gentle flash of light.

"Make a wish Krolia, I already have mine." Austin chuckled, his son gazing at the sky in awe.

"I already have mine too." Krolia kissed Austin's cheek before resting her head on top of Austin's.

Unfortunately as all stories go, the peace didn't last. After the couple had gotten Keith to bed, Krolia got a call from Kolivan.

"Krolia, you have to return. The Blade needs you."

"My family needs me!" She argued with the screen, Austin behind her quietly, offering moral support because that was the only kind of help she ever really needed.

"We are so close Krolia, we can take out Zarkon within the next two Earth rotations if this goes to plan!" Kolivan said, "If you come now, infiltrate and pose as a general you can be done with this and stay with your human." He hissed, "Think about it, don't you want them to be safe? I know you've never liked The Blade's rule of knowledge or death, and this is your chance to do things your way. I'll give you until morning to decide."

With that Kolivan shut off the call, leaving the couple in silence.

"Austin-" Krolia sighed, turning to face her husband.

"I know. It's your decision, and I won't stop you if you want to go. Just promise me that you won't risk your life too much, that you will come back to me."

Krolia bit her lip and hugged Austin tight as tears began to stream down her face, "Take care of our son until I can come back." She whispered, afraid that is she spoke louder than it would be too real, that she wouldn't be able to let go.

"I love you, I'll do my best." Austin's voices cracked as he buried his he's into her shoulder.

"I love you too."

Keith didn't understand why his momma had to go, he didn't understand why his daddy was so upset. He couldn't understand, not really. Austin just hoped that he wouldn't have to grow up too much without his-