Long Naps (klancelot) (bxb)

Chapter 19

^^the only meme I have that isn't trapped in the cloud

Artist: somekindoftuber on tumblr
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Keith tapped his fingers nervously on the arm of his chair. Lance was coming today. Or, he had said he would. Or, Lotor had said he would. What if he didn't come? That would be better, actually. Keith didn't want to see him. Yes he did. He wanted to see him more than anything. He was anxious, though. What if Lance hated him? What if he was trapped with Lotor and wanted to come back? What if he was trapped with Lotor but he hated Keith so much that he didn't want to come back?

"Will you stop that!" Pidge cracked. "I'm trying not to freak out right now!"

Keith stilled his hands. "I'm sorry. I'm just-"

"I know. I know. We're all on edge." Pidge rubbed their face under their glasses.

Hunk sighed. "He's like a totally different person. Do you think they did something to him? Do you think it's Stockholm syndrome or something? Or brainwashing?"

"Lotor knows no low. I wouldn't be surprised if he keeps Lance strung up in a cell when he isn't playing with him. The thought is deeply disturbing," Allura shuddered. "When Lance gets back, we should all do a bonding exercise. Perhaps then he will tell us, or we will see for ourselves." She kept checking the signal screens for any change. There had been none all day.

"Please stop listing things," Pidge groaned. They looked like they might actually be sick.

Commander Holt (because he's still here. Sorry I forgot) put a calm hand on his child's shoulder. "It's okay," he hushed. "Lotor would never do that."

"He kept you as his slave," Pidge reminded him.

"He's a good kid," Sam pushed. "He just doesn't understand some things. He's never had anyone to tell him right and wrong. That boy poured his heart out to me I don't know how many times. He has good intentions." The Commander looked a lot better than he did when he came to the castle. Where he had been timid and shaky, he now was calm and sure— back to his old self.

Keith stood up. "I'm going to wait by the hangars," he announced. He was nearly to the door when the screen pinged. He turned to watch.

"It's him!" Allura said. "Everyone stay calm. Okay? Okay." She opened the channel.

Lotor alone appeared in the seat of his smaller ship. "Hello Paladins," he greeted. He seemed kind of tired but content. "To what section of the Castle should I fly?"

Allura opened a hangar. "Fly to the body— opposite side of the foyer entrance. You'll see a white beacon; the hangar is just under that."

Lotor nodded drowsily. "I'll be there in approximately ten-"

"Where's Lance?" Hunk questioned.

"He's..." Lotor looked up for an answer. "He's here."

Hunk stood. "Where?"

The room was tense. Everyone could tell Hunk was going to flip his shit if he didn't get an answer.

Then came a hushed "Should I stop?"

Lotor looked down. "No, baby. Keep going." Then he looked up again. "Um... See you in a few doboshes."

The screen went blank.

Pidge looked around to be sure everyone saw what they did. "Was he- ?"

"I'm going down to the hangars," Keith repeated. Maybe this wasn't the best idea given the circumstances, but he wasn't really of the best mind to think strategy.