Klance Omegaverse/Galtean AU

(7) Friends

Keith's p.o.v:

  Keith landed onto Lotor's balcony just as he had planned, just barely keeping his balance after doing so. As he tied the sash around his waist he spotted Lotor, the alpha was leaning against the balcony doors that led into his room. Was his presence even currently known to the other? He couldn't tell. Lotor looked like a mess, physically and mentally, he was just staring down at his bloodied hands in complete silence. "Lotor, let's get you cleaned up." he stated quietly, making his way towards his friend. At least make eye contact dammit. "Just leave me to rot! I'm utter garbage for breaking my promise to you.." Lotor mumbled under his breath. "We can talk about that later, Lotor. I don't care about that right now.. So let's just go inside and get you cleaned up, okay?" Keith asked softly, taking one of Lotor's bloodied hands into both of his own.

  Since he didn't get a reply from the alpha, neither agreeing or disagreeing with what he was asking of him, he gently led him far enough from the doors so that they could actually open them and go inside. Keith gestured for Lotor to sit in the chair he had pulled away from the desk, waiting until the alpha obediently sat down before he headed towards the bathroom. After grabbing some bandages, a wet cloth, and a towel from the bathroom he went back to Lotor who was still obediently sitting in his desk chair. Keith set down the bandages on the desk, then gently took one of Lotor's hands and used his free hand to clean him off with the wet cloth, instinctively flinching whenever Lotor cringed. "Hold your hand up in front of you like this for a tik (sec)." He said, demonstrating how he wanted Lotor to flex his hands before trading out the wet cloth for the towel. He dried off the excess water before laying the towel over his own shoulder, then grabbing the bandages off the desk. "Keith, you really don't have to patch me up.." Lotor mumbled. "Oh just stop it already, it's not the first time i've done this for you." He replied as he finished bandaging up one of Lotor's hands, the alpha had no comment on the matter.

  He took the bloodied cloth back to the bathroom to rinse out the blood, then went right back to Lotor to repeat the same process on his other hand. Washing off Lotor's non-dominant hand was a little easier since there was less wrong with it, injury wise. As he was bandaging his other hand, Lotor caressed Keith's cheek with his dominant hand. He leaned into it, feeling hopeless because of the situation they were in. Why did Lotor have to keep losing his temper? Why were they suddenly back to their old routine where Lotor gets into fights and he ends up patching him up? "I'm sorry Keith, I broke the promise I made to you.. I beat on that guy even though it was just an accident." Lotor stated, not expecting a response as he gently ran his thumb over the bruise on Keith's face. "This looks pretty bad, it's also huge! A little higher and it definitely would've been a black eye!" Lotor grumbled, doting on him as he usually did. "Lotor, I don't really care about the bruise, okay? Now let me finish this up." He said firmly, going back to bandaging Lotor's non-dominant hand. The alpha stayed silent as Keith brought the leftover bandages, bloodied cloth, and towel back to the bathroom. He was about to turn to walk back out but he felt Lotor's head rest on top of his own, stopping him in his tracks. "I really am sorry for what happened earlier, Keith..." Lotor said quietly. Keith turned to look up at his friend, Lotor's expression looked defeated. "I really just.. Can't help getting worked up when it comes to you Keith.. I saw him hurt you- albeit, it was an accident- but still! I just want to look out for and protect you- I shouldn't have snapped on that guy like I did but.." Lotor continued, desperately trying to explain why he had broken their promise. "I was only trying to protect you.." Lotor finished, pulling Keith into a gentle hug with his bandaged hands.

  "You don't need to protect me, Lotor. I'm just a fellow 'alpha'." He stated plainly, reminding Lotor that he had to try to not think of him as an omega, especially in public settings. Lotor looked down at him with a sad smile upon his face. "Why can't you just let me protect you, Keith?" Lotor asked quietly, still holding Keith in his warm embrace. "That's because one, I can look out for myself. Two, I need to pass as an alpha and your constant assistance in social settings is going to draw attention to me." He answered with a smile. "I appreciate you worrying about me and all, but I don't want you getting into fights because of me. We made a promise a while back that you wouldn't beat anyone up or start senseless fights, but here we are now! I need you to re-promise me, for real this time, that you'll stop fighting!" He continued, the both of them staring into the other's eyes.

  "I'm afraid I might not be able to do that, as I've just proven back in the ballroom.. I can't completely control my alpha instincts.. When I see or even think about you being in danger or getting hurt I just kind of.. snap. Like earlier- Instead of being reasonable back there, I just lashed out on that guy who had elbowed you." Lotor replied, cupping Keith's cheek once again. "Like I said- Just try to see me as an alpha, not a helpless omega!" He shouted, starting to feel frustrated to a certain extent. "It's not because you're an omega, I swear! Even if you were an actual alpha or even a beta- I'd still react the exact same way!" Lotor replied, sounding just as frustrated as he tried to get this concept through to Keith. "Even before you presented as an omega, I always wanted to look out for and protect you Keith.." Lotor stated, lowering his voice. Lotor had always tried to be careful about raising his voice or yelling around him, he appreciated that a lot. He supposed that Lotor had a point about that.. That Lotor did get into plenty of fights for his sake even before he presented..

  "..I still don't want you to go around fighting people, I never asked you to fight on my behalf Lotor." He mumbled, only wanting the best for his friend and for him to put an end to his violent tendencies. "I know you don't.. But I can't promise you that I won't get into fights, I can only tell you that I'll try to get better about it." Lotor replied, running his thumb over Keith's bruise-free cheek. "Just accept this for now, please? I don't want to make another promise I can't keep." Lotor continued. "Fine. This doesn't mean I'm happy about it though." He stated disapprovingly, getting pulled into another hug by his alpha friend. "You've got to head back to your own kingdom pretty soon right?" Lotor questioned, resting his head on top of Keiths again. "Mhm. In fact- I should start heading out now, I'm piloting myself back." He replied, still being held close even though they had both established that he had to leave. He couldn't help thinking about how funny it must look to see such a big guy like Lotor lean over just to hug someone. "Lotor, you kind of have to let me go in order for me to go home." He stated plainly. "Fine, I'll let you get going now. Till next time, Keith!~" Lotor said as he let go of Keith. Lotor escorted him out of his room, patting Keith's head before opening the door.

  Keith let out a long sigh as he made his way towards the first of many staircases that he'd have to take to get back to where his spacecraft was parked, he was happy that the event was finally over but was dreading going back to his own kingdom. He passed plenty of lords and ladies on his way out, having to once again play nice and act interested in pointless conversations. A small part of him wished he had seen Lance on his way out.

. . .

  As soon as he had gotten back home the guards had informed him, as per usual, to go see Queen Ophelia in the throne room before heading to my chambers. He had almost forgotten about the bruise on his face. The guards that were posted outside of the throne room bowed and opened the doors, swiftly closing the doors after he went though. "Come closer, then report." Queen Ophelia ordered. He nodded and did as she told him to, taking a knee a few feet before her throne. "I kept up appearances, talking to all the lords and ladies I could. I met the Prince of the First Altean Kingdom and the Princess of the Second Altean Kingdom, both of them lacked experience with social events out of their own kingdoms. Nothing more to report on that front. I spoke to Lord Sendak, he has decided he will fix what he has done to his people and will make the mines safer for their miners. Everything went fairly smoothly tonight." He answered robotically. "My son, if all went 'smoothly' then what in the seven hells happened to your handsome face?" Queen Ophelia questioned, getting up from her throne to inspect his face up close and personal. "How did this happen?!" Queen Ophelia asked, demanding an answer.

  "It was just an accident! I was elbowed in the face- I wasn't paying attention and I guess we were really close to another group of lords and the next thing I knew an elbow hit me.. The lord didn't mean to do it, it's just due to my height that I was so easily elbowed in the face..." He ranted, not wanting the lord to get into any more trouble. After all, it really was an accident and Lotor already beat the living daylights out of him. "Don't make excuses for that lord, Keith! Who was the one that did this to you?!" Queen Ophelia shouted. He put his hands up in defense, still kneeling before her. "It's fine- Prince Lotor already beat the lord senseless.." He stated, hoping she'd calm down. "Good, he was already beaten and put back in his place. One more thing, those suppressants of yours won't do you any good in a week because it's almost time for your heat to come. I'll remind the maids when it starts to bring up more blankets, food, and water so that you can rest comfortably. Now then, you're free to go." Queen Ophelia said, once again sitting upon her throne. "Thank you, your highness.." He replied quietly, taking a bow before he left. On his way to his room he thought about his friends, Lance and Lotor. Hoping that the next time that they are all together at an event that they can just focus on enjoying themselves.