Euphony (Voltron x Reader) DISCONTINUED.

22. Breakdown

The Paladins felt conflicted.

They knew the right thing to do was to go back and rescue, as Keith liked to put it, (Y/N)'s suicidal ass. However, the mission itself could be in vain as they could be greeted with the lifeless body of (Y/N).

Keith and Pidge had wanted to jump right into the mission to 'retrieve' (Y/N). Rescuing (Y/N) was almost an oxymoron in itself for there was no rescuing them. They could rescue themselves if they needed to.

However, Keith and Pidge weren't sure if they'll possibly save themselves from this particular situation. No matter how fiery (Y/N) was, the Galra were always almost undefeated.

Keith paced around the room, waiting for Allura, Shiro, or anyone who took charge to give him the 'okay' to go and get (Y/N). He nervously clipped away at his thumb nail, murmuring things here and there. Other than Shiro, (Y/N) was his anchor that helped him stay down to Earth.

For Pidge, they were the only thing that still kept her motivated to find her brother. She knew Matt was still out there and would bet it on her life. She was afraid that she would have to do it alone. That doesn't mean that she won't do it alone, though.

"Guys, keep your heads, okay?" Shiro voiced, causing the tension in the room to lessen by some degree. "Knowing (Y/N), they probably made it out with a few broken bones."

Keith's expression changed from worrisome to a contorted grimace, nose flaring at Shiro's attempt at trying to make everyone keep their nerve. "They shouldn't have even been there in the first place! Going to retrieve the files was a suicide mission!"

Keith's pacing began to grow heavier and louder. He brought his hand to his head and grabbed a tuft in frustration.

"The very fact that we could have lost Lance and Hunk as well," Keith huffed, "I just don't want them to be dead." Keith pressed his back against the chilled wall, sliding down to push his legs against his chest.

"We don't want (Y/N) to be dead either, Keith. Especially Lance. I'm not sure how he'll function without them..." Shiro empathized.

The room fell silent, the elephant in the room tugging at everyone's hearts. Allura sat quietly, pondering. Coran was trying to locate the Purple Lion the best he could. Hunk had gone to rest, for he was mentally and physically drained. Imagine seeing your friend for the very last time, for you know that they were probably killed on sight. What makes it worse is the fact that he had see his best friend breakdown in front of him.

Shiro scanned the room taking notice of the somber atmosphere. He knew that going back to get (Y/N) would be a tragic mistake, however, he saw the effect they had on the Paladins.

But Shiro couldn't stand to lose more of his friends. "I'm sorry Keith. We aren't going back."

Keith fumed, pushing himself to his legs to stomp his way over to Shiro. His hands fell down to his sides, balled into fists. "So we're just going to leave them there to die?!"

"I'm sorry but we can't risk the lives of the other paladins." Shiro shook his head.

"Last time I checked Shiro," Everyone had nervously shifted their attention towards the two paladins, a feeling in their gut that this wasn't going to end well. Especially if Keith was on the other end. "That was our job."

Everyone knew Keith and Shiro were like brothers, but everyone else knew Keith was a hot-head with a short-fuse. Shiro was the one to step away from a situation before it escalated, however this case was different.

"I know Keith, but this time, we can prevent losing more lives."

"Are you serious!? (Y/N) would go back for you in a heartbeat-"

"Then they would be at fault for their own death." Shiro interjected.

Everyone around the two had stepped away from their stations and made their way towards Shiro and Keith, hesitantly. Allura and Coran's eyes widened at Shiro's statement. Pidge began to seethe alongside Keith, absolutely bewildered as to how Shiro, their loyal leader, could possibly say that.

Keith didn't want this to happen. He didn't want (Y/N) or the rest of the paladin's stepping foot on that Galra ship. He didn't want his fist colliding into Shiro's face, clocking him in his jaw. He didn't mean to keep jabbing him as many times as he could, fist after fist. Pidge tried to pull Keith away, but when she gazed at his eyes, it was no longer Keith. She was too shocked to even realize she had been shoved to floor by him.

Shiro didn't have much of a chance to retaliate for he couldn't bring himself together just as Keith was going to deliver another blow. Keith couldn't stop himself. He didn't want this. He didn't want (Y/N) to suddenly stand between him and Shiro, his wrist clasped in their burning grip. Shiro had fallen to his knees, blood dripping from multiple crevices of his face. Keith's raged gaze soon becomes a stunned one as his eyes meet (Y/N)'s battered face, whose eyes dropped with weariness and great solemn.

The room fell quiet with shock. Everyones eye's followed (Y/N)'s every move, for they couldn't believe that they were here, alive and well, after being told that they were murdered by the Galra. Keith stumbled on his words, trying his best to form a coherent sentence. (Y/N) simply put a meek hand to silence him as they turned around to help Shiro from his beaten position.

"I'm gone for a good few hours," (Y/N) slowly helped Shiro's bloodied body to a chair before gently helping him sit. They grabbed a tissue from nearby and coached him into tilting his head while his nose bled profusely. "And we're over here beating each other to death."

"...Hunk s-said your were d-dead!" Pidge choked.

(Y/N) nodded, "I can see why he would say that. I almost died," They shrugged. "I don't know how but I was suddenly back in my lion."

"You just appeared in your lion?" Allura voiced.

"Yeah...it was extremely excruciating but I suddenly just popped up in my lion."

"That sounds very familiar to something my father experienced as a Paladin of Voltron. I will look into that for your sake, (Y/N)."

"Thank you Princess." They exchanged small smiles.

Keith blinked rapidly, his voice caught in his throat. He dragged his gaze to his unclenched hands which seemed to be covered in crimson, which was drying as fast paint dried on a wall.

Keith wanted nothing more than to just cry.

However, he felt a homely warmth on his shoulder, something gently yet firm. His eyes began to tear up, his upper lip quivering ever so slightly.

He felt two arms blanket him into an embrace he'd never thought he'd feel again, one much needed from a friend.

This was the first time Keith had completely broken down in front of the other Paladins, tears streaming down his face somewhat uncontrollably. I mean, you would too if you just tried murdering your friend.

"Shiro was right, Keith. You guys shouldn't have gone back for me. I'm just one person. Easily replaceable."

The words 'Easily replaceable' had echoed in Keith's head as (Y/N) squeezed him tightly.

He wanted to scream 'How could you possibly say that!?' or 'Are you out of your mind?!' but all that he could do was stay silent, for he was too ashamed to even speak.