Wait (Keith Kogane X OC)

Chapter 5

It was late by the time Sarah got back. Allura was already asleep, breathing softly with her silvery white hair spread across the pillow. She was freshly showered and ready for sleep. Sarah climbed into bed and threw her thinnest blanket over her body before flipping onto her stomach. Sleep claimed her quickly and soon she was drifting away to dream land.

This dream started as a meeting of sorts. Everyone stood in a circle, expressions serious, with Shiro standing on a platform of sorts in the center. This must be the castle. Shirt's clothing choice was strange, wearing a short sleeved shirt. He had a white tuft of hair, which Sarah found odd. It had been black a few years ago and was white on Earth.

"...this is the second one of these we've done just this week." Pidge sounded irritated. She stood with a hand on her hip, frowning at Coran.

"I know it's not exactly battling the Galra," Allura commented calmly, "but believe it or not, this helps us boost morale and strengthen alliances."

"Right right, strongholds," Lance interjected. He made mocking motions with his hands, "blah-dy blah-dy blah. Now I say," he put his hands on his hips and bent forward, "we go over our lion choreography one more time. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time, Hunk."

While Hunk apologized, Sarah, who had been standing next to Keith the whole time, smiled. "I thought you guys were actually really good last time," she whispered to Keith. "Better than the time before that, at least."

Keith exhaled sharply in a short laugh. "We get worse every time," he muttered.

Something in the monitor beeped. The image of Kolivan appeared. As always he looked very serious. "Shiro," he began. Keith tensed. Sarah took one of his hands in both of hers and held it at their sides. "My apologies for interrupting, but this is an urgent matter."

Sarah internally groaned. The only time Kolivan ever called was when he needed Keith, but he'd only just got back. She wanted at least a few days with him before he went off again.

"A Galra supply ship has been spotted passing through Quadrant Omega-Rylar-Six."

Her stomach dropped. That was so far away...

"What's it doing so far from the normal supply routes?" Shiro questioned.

"We can't be certain. But taken together with the fact that Lotor hasn't been seen in quite some time and the emergence of this new form of quintessence, we feel compelled to investigate."

So they were taking him away. Sarah looked up at Keith's face to gauge his reaction. He kept his emotions in check. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, but the twitching of his jaw told her he was ready to go. His fingers tightened around hers. Sarah rested her forehead on his shoulder and stopped listening to the conversation. Instead she focused on hers and Keith's breathing, taking in his scent and the feeling of his calloused skin against hers.

"Not anymore." Keith's voice startled Sarah. "Count me in." He squeezed her fingers again.

Lance glared at Keith, crossing his arms against his chest. "Hey! What about our performance? We can't razzle dazzle the crowd with just four lions!"

Keith let go of Sarah's hand to make fists. "This mission is more important than a show of arms. Shiro."

Shiro, who'd turned at his waist to watch the interaction, faced forward again. "How long will it take?"

"Not long," replied Kolivan, "but we must act fast or we risk the ship jumping into hyperspace."

Shiro nodded, understanding the time constraint. "Go," he told Keith, "but when you're done meet us on Reiphod."