There has to be an After for Us ~ (shadam / klance)

Chapter 37 - Guardians Assemble!

"Ohhhh so this is where he goes!" said Keith, realization in his voice.

"What?!" cried Lance. "Your space pet just teleported itself into the astral plane, broke up a wedding –"

"We're married, Lance," said Shiro. "We just haven't kissed yet."

" - Then quantum leaped back out like it ain't no thang and your reaction is, 'oh so this is where he goes.' What does that even mean?"

Keith looked flustered. "Well, when he teleports he doesn't just instantaneously move from point A to point B. There's always like a tick or two delay before he reappears again and I kept wondering where he was during that time."

"So Kosmo's been using the astral plane as a shortcut?" asked Allura.

"Oh yes," said Melenor. "I know that pupper well. When they stay longer I give them treats. They are a very good doggo."

"Did you just say 'doggo?'" asked Hunk. "Mel speaks memes!"

"I am all-knowing and therefor know all memes."

"Pidge, is this possible?" asked Allura.

"For your mom to know all memes? I hope so because it's a personal goal of mine."

"No, Kosmo using the astral plane as a shortcut."

"Well, we just saw it with our own eyes, so it's not even theoretical. It's just what's happening. Which is interesting because the only things we know that can travel to the non-physical realities are quintessence or objects made from the trans-reality comet. So the question becomes, what is Kosmo made out of? Hmmm..."

"Hey, I know that look!" said Keith, pointing an accusing finger at Pidge. "That's your 'I wanna cut something open and see how it works' look and you are not cutting Kosmo open!"

"Hold on," said Lance, his eyes getting big. "Sometimes you teleport with Kosmo! Have you been shortcutting through the astral plane?"

"Uh," stuttered Keith. "I didn't notice, but Pidge has done it too."

"Yeah, once," said Pidge, "And I closed my eyes which I'm now realizing was really dumb."

"I will settle this argument," said Melenor. "Yes, I have seen you both come through with the pupper."

"Waitwaitwaitwait...," stuttered Lance. "So that means we all could've just grabbed hold of Kosmo and zapped to the astral plane instead of having to come through the back door and all have separate near death experiences?"

Everyone was quiet, realization hitting them.

"Yes, however," said Melenor. "We did need to judge your worthiness..."

"I'll judge your worthiness!" snapped Lance.

"Lance," said Shiro. "I know we've all been through a lot..."

"That's an understatement! I soul-merged with Keith! And honestly I don't know why I'm yelling about that because I'm really super happy, but Keith isn't happy and so I'm enraged on his behalf!"

"I'm happy," said Keith.

Everyone titled their heads to the side, inquisitively. Even Keith's own dad looked skeptical.

Keith sighed. "I know I'm not good at looking happy, but I'm literally the happiest I've ever been and that's all I want to say so can everyone look at someone else now?"

"Aw babe," said Lance, refusing to look away from his adorable boyfriend who frowns even when he's happy and could probably give Shirley Manson a run for her money in a Most Emo competition.