The Red Paladins Klance

Chapter 4

Keith rubbed his eyes, trying to calm down. He was listening to Lance’s message as he flew through space, on his mission. “I know I said I was going to be okay with this. With us being apart. And I’m trying to be, I really am. It’s been 5 days, and I miss you, honest to God, I miss you so much. It was sort of stupid of me to think you’d be back in a few doboshes, but then again, Kolivan never does mean what he says. I hope you’re doing okay on your mission. I know you’re most likely killing it out there. I...I love it when you do that. It’s really quiet here without you. It’s reminding me way too much of when you first went to join them.” Lance’s voice suddenly breaks, and it sounds wobbly. Keith’s heart twists, and he nearly stops the message so that he doesn’t have to hear it, so that he won’t have to hear Lance sound like that because it reminds him of when he pushed him into Red to protect him, and Lance was begging him to not do this, yelling his name in agony, and-

     “I’m trying to stay strong. Hunk, Pidge, and Shiro have been helping me, but they know they can’t do much since we’re bonded. That’s not something they know how to deal with.” Lance suddenly goes silent for a few seconds, and Keith’s breath hitches. “Say something. Say something, please.” He whispered. He hears Lance shakily sigh, “I just...want to hear your voice. God, I’m literally shaking right now, and I have no idea why. I’m scared for you. You’re out there, alone, and-“ Keith startled when alarms started blaring. It almost sounded as if Lance jumped too, ‘cause he was now letting out sharp breaths.

“ Jesus, we’re going through an asteroid field right now. That scared the hell out of me. Look, I-I gotta go. Allura might need us to get some asteroids out of the way so it doesn’t damage the Castle. Um…” He hears Lance say, but then trail off, and he knows Lance is trying to figure out how to end the message.

“Red misses you. Blue misses you. We all miss you. I-“ He hears Lance cut off as Allura’s voice sounds over the Castle. “ It’s alright, we’ve activated the particle barrier!” The alarms suddenly stop. He hears Lance let out another sharp breath. “Jesus, my ears are ringing. I-I should go anyway. I’ll see you soon, Red. I love you.” And that was it. “Wait…” Keith whispered, even though he knew the message already ended. He fiddled with the band secretly hanging around his neck, running his thumb over the thin, blue surface.

   Lance was about to leave his room when a bright, reddish glint caught his eye. He frowned, and Keith was suddenly there beside him, peering over his shoulder. “Oh? What’s that over there in the corner of the bed?” He asked. Lance ignored his hallucination, going toward the corner of the bed. And what he pulled out was a necklace. With a red band as its chain. He frowned at it, wondering what on Earth… oh. “Oh.” He whispered faintly, his eyes widening. It’s a ring. “Jesus, Keith. You stupid, Red, cheesy idiot…” He whispered, but he was smiling so widely as his face burned, and he began to quietly laugh. Later on, he was wearing the necklace, but kept it under his shirt.

Hunk and Pidge were in the lounge, working on their holo-screens.

They looked up when he came toward them, and they both lit up. “Hey Lance! You’re looking way better today.” Pidge said, fixing her glasses. “Yeah, man, you do. How you feelin’?” Hunk asked as Lance sat beside him, the smile still on his face. “I feel fine. Thanks, guys.” He said. He laid his head on the backrest, sighing. “Hey Lance? Why don’t you tell us more about Lux? The Princess of Treyiv?” Pidge suddenly asked, catching his attention. His eyes widened. Lux. It had only been a few weeks or so since they left Treyiv. He should contact her, see how she’s doing. “Oh, Lux? Lux is great. She’s one of the most greatest healers I know. I owe her a lot for what she’s done for Keith and I. And she’s so totally in love with her best friend, Koda. They’re mates, like Keith and I are. She knew from the instant she saw us. The thing about Lux is that she and her mother are different from the other Amarites who can sense emotions. Lux can see colours with emotions. I don’t know what Queen Loucia can do, but she’s different too.” Lance said.

   He then sighed, “Lux took to us so quickly. She’s been looking up to Voltron ever since we saved her planet. Keith didn’t trust her at first, but he slowly warmed up to her. I don’t think she couldn’t be more older than you, Pidge.” He said. “Wow. You guys really took to her too.” Pidge said. “Yeah. I mean, she’s young, but she has strength in her. You just reminded me. I should go talk to her, see how she’s doing. I’ll be back in a few.” He said before standing up, walking away. He used the communication device he had given her so they could have a private link with no interruptions. He lit up when her face appeared, bright and happy. “Lance! Oh, I’m so happy to see you, it’s been a while!” She said happily, a big smile on her face.

He smiled, “Hey Lux. I miss you. I know, it has been a while.” He said.

“I miss you too. How have you been? How’s Keith?” Lux asked. “I’ve been fine. Keith’s on a mission with the Blade of Marmora. He’s been gone for a bit. 5 days, to be specific.” Lance said. Lux’s eyes widened, and she instantly looked worried. “Oh? You must be worried sick about him. You know him, he’s strong. He’ll do well to come back safely and in one piece.” She said. “Yeah. How are things on Treyiv? How’s your mom and Koda?” Lance said. “Well, things have been quiet without you and Keith. My mother has been doing fine, and so has Koda.” Lux said. She then slightly smiled, “She and I confessed to each other a few weeks ago. She’s actually here with me right now.” She said. Koda came in beside her, waving. “Hey Lance!” She said.

   Lance smiled, “Hey Koda. I’m glad you guys finally confessed to each other, Lux. Keith and I miss you guys.” He said. “Lance, when are you coming back? You promised you’d visit, and so did Keith.” Lux asked. “Soon, Princess. I just want to wait for Keith. He’d kill me if he knew I came back without him.” Lance assured. Then he suddenly, slightly smiled. “I have something to show you before I go.” He said. He pulled out his necklace, showing the ring to the two girls. They both gasped, and started shrieking. “Oh my gosh, you’re engaged?! He proposed?!” Lux squealed. “ I did, actually. I don’t know when he left it, but I found it in our shared room. He must’ve gotten it at one point. He most likely has one that’s blue.” Lance said. “Oh my gosh, that’s so adorable!! Oh, I’m so happy for you guys! Look, you even still have the paint on!” Lux said happily. Lance touched his cheek on instinct, and his smile widened a bit.

“Gosh, Lance, I’m going to cry. I’m so happy for you guys, I can’t believe you’re engaged.” Lux sounded choked, and she was fanning herself.

Koda laughed, touching her shoulder. “Aw Lux, don’t cry. Thanks, sweetie, I’m really happy too.” Lance cooed affectionately. Lux wiped at her eyes, “Okay, we won’t keep you any longer. Next time you talk to Keith, tell him I say hi. Tell him we both say hi. I love you! And tell Keith I love him too!” Lux said. Lance put a hand to his mouth, touched. He was smiling so hard, his affection for Lux growing even stronger. “ Aw, Lux. I love you too, sweetie. Don’t worry, I’ll tell him next time I send him a message. I’ll see you soon, okay?” He said. Lux nodded, “Okay! See you soon, Lance!” Lux said. “Bye Lance!” Koda said as she and Lux waved at him. Lance waved back, “Bye girls!” He said. And then that was it. He sighed, stuffing the device away before going back to join Hunk and Pidge.

  “Well? Did you talk to her?” Pidge asked. Lance nodded, “Yeah. She seems like she’s doing okay. Koda was with her.” Lance said. Pidge nodded, “That’s good.” She said. Lance was fiddling with the ring on his neck, staring at it as he zoned out. The smile on his face became even wider, and suddenly he couldn’t hold it in, hiding the necklace before sitting up sharply. “Keith and I are engaged!” He shouted. Pidge and Hunk look at him, their eyes wide. And then they both start screeching. “ WHAT?!!???!!! NO WAY!!! WHEN?!? WHEN DID HE PROPOSE?!?!” Pidge squealed happily as they both attacked him with hugs. “He didn’t propose, I did!” Lance was giggling, happiness bursting inside him. “When? Dude when??!” Hunk asked. “When we on that planet that Sendak’s fleet was attacking! One of the sentries shouted “Red Paladin!” And I said, “Yeah, that’s me”! It was the most cheesiest way to propose, but I did it!” Lance said. “Aw, Lance!!” Hunk said, squeezing him tighter.

“What’s going on?” Lance heard Shiro’s confused voice, and looked to see him coming toward them, raising an eyebrow. 

“LANCE AND KEITH ARE ENGAGED!!” Pidge shrieked happily. Shiro’s eyes widened, and he smiled widely. “What?? When did this happen? Who proposed first?” He asked. “I did. It happened we were on that planet Sendak’s fleet was attacking.” Lance said. “Aw Lance, that’s great! Get over here!” Shiro said, opening his arms. Lance pulled away from Pidge and Hunk and ran to Shiro, tightly embracing him.