Shattered Magnolias

Chapter Two

IN THE CASTLE OF THE LIONS

Shiro and Keith had been hiding in the black paladin's bedroom since they'd been released from the main hall of the castle. The past few hours had been rather confusing for not just the two boys, but every human on the large ship. There were too many things that had happened.

Not long after they'd gotten Shiro from the makeshift Garrison hospital, the four teens and he had stumbled across the desert to the Blue Lion. Despite knowing what the alien race called the Galra had planned, the small group climbed into it. They needed time to think about the things the aliens had told them.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Keith murmured after a few minutes of silence.

"We'll look for Matt, Keith," Shiro's human hand reached out to grasp on of Keith's. "I don't believe he's dead. If I can survive the arena, he can survive... whatever the Galra threw his way."

Keith glared at the wall across the room. He knew it wasn't Shiro's fault hat Matt hadn't been in the Garrison infirmary. The space academy likely thought Sam Holt and his son were still dead in space. He just wished they'd returned together.

Shiro bit his lip at the anger rolling off of Keith. He tried to give his hand another squeeze, but the hot-headed boy pulled it away. Keith's fingers balled to form fists.

"I'm going to go check out my lion..." he muttered.

"I love you, Keith," Shiro said quietly.

Keith didn't respond as he stood abruptly. He pushed through the minimal amount of furniture in the room until he was out the door. After a rushed stop to his own room to get his armor, he went to the Red Lion.

It had taken them awhile to get Red to respond when they'd found it. The lion had frustrated Keith. He'd come to adore it in the more recent days, though.

He knew he should have told someone he was leaving before he flew off, but he didn't care enough to do so. The sound of the lion roaring before it took off probably alerted everyone anyway. He shrugged it off and moved the flying animal into autopilot.

***

Matt Holt had been taking an unauthorized break when his commanding officer decided to check on him. The second he spotted a patch of moving purple skin enter his area, he knew he was screwed. He tried to jump up before they noticed he was sitting.

He knew he failed when an angry expression appeared on the alien's face. He prayed the punishment he knew was coming would be light. He doubted he'd get lucky, though.

"What do you think you're doing?" the Galra growled.

"I've been working for the last eight hours," Matt said weakly. "I had to sit down and get something to drink..."

"No one gave you permission to do that, human," he snarled. "If you would have kept going, you might have been able to stop for the night. It looks like you'll be working for a whole lot longer now."

Matt whined a little at his words as soon as he was sure the guard wasn't facing him. Though he was grateful he wasn't being punished severely, he also wanted to rest. He really had been working the entire day.

"I'll get back to work," he said slowly.

"You also didn't get permission to do that," the Galra said viciously. "When you're done with your punishment, we can make sure you return to your task."

Matt tried not to panic as he did as he was told, following his commanding officer. Between the anxiety that suddenly bombarded him as well as the weakness from dehydration, Matt struggled to walk. He somehow managed to follow him to their destination.

"What did the Earthling do this time?" a different guard asked curiously.

They set up the punishment and discussed Matt's 'crime.'

***

Shiro hadn't heard the lion fly away. He probably would have remained oblivious, but Pidge and Lance had knocked on his bedroom door to ask where Keith has gone. He cursed to himself instead of replying, rushing out of the room in an attempt to get to his lion.

"Stay in the castle," he commanded. "I'll go get Keith and bring him back."

Shiro could tell they wanted to argue. They'd been stuck inside since they'd arrived. He sent a look their way, and he thankfully received some reluctant nodding in return.

The two Alteans gave him a confused look when he sprinted towards the Black Lion. He knew he was probably overreacting as he climbed inside, but he powered up the ship anyways. He moved to turn on a private communication line with Keith's lion. He didn't say anything as he simply sat inside his.

"Shiro, I left the castle to be alone," Keith said a second later.

"It isn't safe," Shiro sighed. "I was in space with other people when I was captured - when Matt was captured, too. I just came back to you. I don't think I could be separated from you again."

"These ships are weapons," Keith sighed. "I'll be fine."

"I don't want to risk it," Shiro closed his eyes. "Please return to the castle?"

"Fine."

The line went dead and Shiro leaned back against his seat, waiting for Keith with his eyes closed.

9/6/19