Lovely »Pidge/Katie • Voltron«

-22- Devil

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February 12, 7806

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Lotor was exhausted. His eyes were bloodshot and he mumbled orders before sitting down on his throne. He was depressed beyond what he thought was possible, his cheeks had begun hollowing and his amethyst skin tone had begun yielding periwinkle. He prayed day and night to deities of the Galra race to help him and to bring his beloved Katie back.

He had tried to send her letters but his generals advised him otherwise. They made a terrifying point of how the other paladins would react to their love. How they would throw her out into open space and leave her to die alone. Katie being harmed had become a heart wrenching and too-realistic fear.

"My liege, your presence is needed."

Lotor yawned and slowly brought himself up. His blurry vision turned black as his body crumpled to the ground. Hues of green haunted the prince's disappearing vision. Everything faded away, the most peace he had gotten since his time with Katie.

The soldier quickly called for help.

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February 13, 7806

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The residents of the palace were sat for breakfast, unwillingly. Hunk had forced them all to eat, saying something about health. They had all been working restlessly for weeks, each having a purpose in their plans to evade the extinction of Earth.

Katie began slumping over herself, the tired eyes slowly closing before shaking her entire body awake awkwardly. The other paladins chuckled at her sleepiness but they were just as tired as the girl. Matt patted her playfully and smiled at his little sister.

But she didn't feel right, something was off. Something was wrong and she couldn't figure it out. She looked towards the others, no one noticing her intense gaze. She blinked, looked down and tried to stay awake.

Lance was shoveling down his food as he read blueprints on a holographic pad. He knew the faster he got done with his meal, the faster he could get back to work. His bayard skills had improved drastically and he had begun to find different quirks within the Blue Lion.

Keith and Shiro glanced at each other from time to time. No one could quite explain the animosity between them, but they didn't want to be the one to ask about it. It had been uncomfortable for everyone. After all, they had been so close before, the sudden distance was alarming and suspicious.

Allura stood up, tired eyes filled with excitement. Despite her obvious sleep deprivation, she remained a glowing beauty with an authoritative essence. The residents of the castle all looked at her expectingly.

"I understand how tough these times have been on all of you. I see hardworking warriors and I'm so very proud of the people you've proven yourselves to be. We have some time before we can launch our final projects on the Galra and therefore I have sought some relief. Tomorrow we will land on the planet of Jedlit. They are ranked as one of the most peaceful planets and they celebrate a festival of unity. We will be attending as a sign of allegiance but we may also enjoy this." The princess paused and smiled brightly. "You all deserve this, please accept a well earned break."

"Thank you, princess." Shiro spoke, nodding in appreciation.

The residents grinned at each other, morale played a large role in the castle. The aura around each of them had become battered to the bone. They had spent so much time focused on fighting and defending, any more time spent and they would have lost a part of themselves.

A day of relaxation.

How quaint.

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February 13, 7806

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Katie was one of the first to walk out of dining room later that day in the evening. A certain Blue Paladin followed her soon after, ignoring the sharp glares that came from behind. The golden eyed girl ran to the bathroom as she felt her dinner coming up. She quickly opened the door and kneeled to the toilet.

She began hurling into the bowl and gasping for air. Her nose became runny and her throat was scorching with the acidic material. The bright eyes puffed around, with cheeks just as inflamed, as they dropped tears. She flushed the food she had tried to keep in.

She looked up only to see her close companion.

"I'm fine." She hissed out painfully, her throat still burning.

The brunette man looked hurt by the cold and striking tone she had. Lance knew she was struggling but the disposal of her meal just further proved her struggles. He reached out to her as she flinched away from his touch, quickly he retracted his hand.

"Pidge, I know things aren't going to well but I need you to talk to me. I want to help."

"I just ate too quickly, don't worry about it." She said with a more composed but still raspy voice.

'Bullshit.' The pilot thought as his beloved shakily lifted herself from the ground. Her hand slipped as she grasped at the edge of the sink, Lance caught her easily.

"Let me help you to your room, is that okay?"

"Yeah...Yeah, that's okay."

"Cool."

Lance gently scooped her up into his arms, frowning at the lightness. Katie was naturally small but this felt unhealthy and it made him wonder how long she had been purging her meals. He smiled as she placed her head on his chest with a childish pout.

The Cuban steadily walked down the halls, finding Katie's room. She had recently been separated from the other residents because of her intensive research and technological creations needing more space. Also she didn't like sharing a bathroom.

She lazily placed her hand on the identification pad and the doors swiftly slid open. She grumbled something along the lines of 'thanks' as Lance continued to carry her to her bed. He gingerly placed her down and sat himself at the edge to which she raised a brow.

"You can go now, thanks." She urged but Lance just chuckled and pulled her into a tight hug. It surprised her but she quickly melted into the embrace of his warmth.

"C'mon, Pigeon, we used to tell each other everything. What happened to us?" He asked with a patient smile, neither tearing away from the other.

"I dunno'. Things got way too complicated, Lance."

"We've been friends for forever, this is simple." Lance smiled, he was testing his luck which had never been the best idea.

But seeing her so broken, it made him ache deep in his heart. He just wanted to hold her even if they were friends, he held every right to comfort someone so lost.

"Plus, you look like you haven't slept in decades." He added to which she chuckled breathlessly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I can't remember the last time I slept well."

That was a lie, she remembered it very well. It was in the arms of a galactic prince who was currently burning the galaxy to find her. If she had said that, she was sure the castle's residents would ostracize her. Not that she hadn't done that all on her own.

"Hey, Lance?"

"Hm?"

"Stay here, for a little. Please."

Her fellow paladin smiled in a gentle way that spread an unfamiliar warmth in her heart. The landed on the bed with his nose dipped into her curly caramel hair. She let her eyes close as the Blue Paladin held her in security. As her breathing slowed down and her body relaxed, Lance let himself enjoy the moment they were sharing. Even if he could feel the cold ring on her hand pressing into his chest.

To her it may have meant nothing more than a friend's comfort, to him it was the most intimate they had been in a very long while.