An Age a Month

3 Years part 3

Shiro watched as Keith seemed to comfort 3 year old Lance. He desperately wanted to know what Keith had seen, but his reaction to is made him hesitated. As soon as Keith emerged from his dream like state, Coran immediately scooped up the blue mist and corked the bottle.

"Seems Keith couldn't handle watching anymore" He said as patted Keith on the shoulder and handed him the bottle.

That seemed to snap Keith out of it as he hurriedly started to check Lance's neck, just below his left ear. Keith examined the place he knew a cut or scar would be, but saw nothing, maybe it had all been a horrible dream and none of it ever happened. Keith paused or maybe Lance is just the age before any of that happened? Would the cut appear randomly. He had never noticed a scar on Lance before so maybe it didn't. It wasn't an easily spot to notice for a scar.

"Keith.." Shiro said slowly. "Are you okay?"

Keith went to speak but couldn't find any words. He opted instead to shake his head. Lance had watched Keith the whole time, seemingly to evaluate him.

"Okay?" He asked. Keith looked at him before nodding and standing up with Lance on his hip.

"Let's get some food, Lance are you hungry?"

Lance nodded eagerly and they both left for the kitchen. The others watched the pair leave.

"Are we just going to let Keith walk away like this?" Allura asked. "Clearly he saw something that may have affected Lance, if we are to help him we must know"

Shiro sighed. "I know.. I know, but whatever he saw, he is clearly not ready to talk about it, we need to give him space to get his head round this-"

"We are still under the threat of the Galra who won't follow Lotor, they could attack at any moment." Allura interrupted. "we are at our most vulnerable with a pilot down possibly two."

Pidge stood up suddenly "This is not just about this war Allura, Lance really need us"

Hunk put a hand on her shoulder. "Yeah, I'm his best friend, I'm not going to leave him. I want to help."

Allura studied the paladins before sighing. "I know, I am concerned for Lance as well, I'm just planning ahead"

"We know Princess," Shiro said. "We should get some food too, I'm sure Keith will talk to us when he's ready."

With breakfast eaten and put away, and got on with training. Even with the current situation, Allura insisted that trading continued. Although with Lance not trusting anyone but Keith, the training was at a stand still. They had tried to get him to sit with Allura, but he screamed as soon as Keith backed away.

They had tried multiple times to get Lance to stay with the princess and convince him Keith wasn't going anywhere but he was having none of it. He looked scared that Keith would leave more than anything.

It had been going on few around have a dobash before Shiro snapped.

"RIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH! WE NEED TO TRAIN AND WE CAN'T IF YOU KEEP UP THIS WHINING!"

Lance stopped immediately. Looking up at Shiro absolutely terrified, tears filled his eyes, before small sobs could be heard.

"SHIRO!" Keith yelled.

"WHAT?! HE NEEDS TO STOP BEING A LITTLE BRAT AND LISTEN!"

Lance's sobs grew louder as he shrunk in on himself. Shiro growled in frustration.

"I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!"

The slap echoed through the castle, no one moved. Lance went rigid in his seat, eyes wide. Keith hissed and clutched his head as Lance ran (To the best off his ability) out of the room. Coran immediately went after him as Keith fell to his knees.

"Shiro, I think you need to leave and calm down, that was totally out of order." Allura said looking furious.

"But-"

"GET. OUT. OF. MY. SIGHT."

Shiro said nothing and promptly left. Hunk was already at Keith's side.

"Are you okay?"

Keith stared at the floor, breathing hard. Hunk was the only one close enough to notice how shaky he was.

"He hit him!" he mumbled.

"We will deal with Shiro later-" Allura started, but Keith stood up.

"Not just Shiro, he hit him. Many many times. who does that. he was so scared and he hid for days." Keith muttered ruling at his hair.

"Keith? what happened?" Hunk asked.

Keith finally looked up at Hunk. He looked distraught.

"I-it" he paused. "it was his dad"

Coran followed Lance. He wasn't going very fast, his little legs made it easy for Coran to catch up. Lance tripped suddenly and just stayed, lying on the floor. Gently picking the chid up, Coran consoled the child.

"It's okay Lance, you're okay, we will keep you safe."

Lance stared at Coran for a while, the tears slowing down.

"papi?" Coran's heart broke. Lance sounded so broken and upset.

"Yes, my boy. I'm your papi"