The Red Paladins Klance

Chapter 6

It’s around 2 months- at least for Keith-when he finally shows up on the screen, his face urgent and serious. All Lance can think is where have you been where have you been where have you been Jesus you’ve grown what on Earth where have you been- Keith lands the old Altean pod in the Castle, jumping out, and Lance is about to hug him tightly and never let him go, but something is wrong. “We need to get to Lotor.” He said. “We can’t. He’s in the quintessence field with Allura.” Pidge said. “We’ve done things like that many times.” Keith said, not understanding the problem. “Hold on, why do we need to attack Lotor? Who are those people with you?” Hunk asked. It was a Galra, a wolf, and a female Altean. “I promise to explain everything when we get inside.” Keith said. As they headed inside, Lance fell into step with him.

  “Keith?” He asked softly, concerned and worried as he reached for his hand. Keith instantly took it, squeezing it in assurance. “Hey Blue. We’ll talk in a bit, okay? Right now, this is really important. Lotor’s been playing with us.” He said softly before letting go of his hand. What? Once they were inside, Keith introduced the Galra. “This is Krolia. She’s a member of the Marmora. She’s also my mother.” He said, a funny look in his purple eyes. “It’s so nice to meet you-“ Shiro’s cut off by Lance’s shriek of surprise. “What?!?! This is crazy! You come back with your Galra mom, a space wolf, and an Altean??” He said. Keith looked at him, and the funny look in his eyes was replaced by fondness. “Yes, I’d like to know where you found this Altean.” Coran said. Keith turned to the female Altean, “This is Romelle. And I think she should tell her own story.” He said.

So the Altean explained everything.

How Lotor had come to their secret planet, claiming he was saving their race. How his promise for a second colony was a ploy to extract millions of the Alteans’ quintessence for his own need. Lance only grew more troubled as Romelle went on, to the point where Keith and Krolia had found her. “I can’t believe he played us all.” Lance whispered. “We all believed him.” Pidge said. A beeping noise caught all their attention, and they all looked to the holo-screen, seeing that the ship with Allura and Lotor on it was heading back. “What are you waiting for? Open fire!” Romelle said. “No way! Allura’s on that ship!” Lance shouted.

   “We need to let them dock. Once we know Allura is safe, then we’ll deal with Lotor.” Shiro said, his tone sounding off. And from there, things went crashing down. Once Allura and Lotor came in, everything went to hell. When it was explained to Allura what Lotor had done, she took him and knocked him right the hell out. And then they were being fired at. It was Lotor’s generals. Shiro suddenly collapsed, crying out in pain as he clutched his Galra arm. “Guys, you need to get out there and take care of the generals! We’ll secure Shiro!” Lance shouted. He saw Keith take off with Pidge and Krolia. But that was when Shiro started attacking Hunk, him, Allura, and Romelle. After Shiro ran off with Lotor, Lance pushed himself up, running after him. At least until he saw Keith, about to get shot at. No. He would not get hurt again. He would not get hurt again! “ NO!!” He shouted in terror, running in front of Keith and taking the shot for himself, sending them both flying back.

Keith quickly twisted so that he would take the landing hit, horrified.

No. No, no, no, no, no. “No. No.” Keith whispered. “Lance. Lance, you stupid idiot, why-“ Keith growled fiercely, but Lance cut him off. “I couldn’t let you get hurt again.” He said, gasping. Keith pressed his hand to Lance’s stomach, trying to stop the blood. So much blood. “Oh God. Oh God, oh God. Jesus, Lance-It wasn’t supposed to happen this way, it wasn’t. I’m supposed to protect you. I promised I wouldn’t let you get hurt again.” Keith was panicking. Lance coughed, blood dripping down his mouth. “Hey-Hey, stay with me. Stay with me, okay?” Keith said urgently. Lance trembled against him, groaning. “Guys. Guys, help me out here. Lance is hurt real bad.” Keith called out, desperate and frantic. His heart dropped when he saw Lance’s eyes fluttering close. “Lance, no, you can’t sleep. You need to stay awake. Lance, please. You gotta stay with me. You’re gonna be fine, okay?” Keith begged in fear, his voice breaking. Lance’s eyes opened again, and he let out a sharp gasp. “It hurts.” He whined quietly.

    Tears were slipping out of Keith’s eyes, “I know. I know, I know. It’s okay. I’m right here with you, okay? You just-you just gotta stay with me, okay?” He said shakily. “Hold on, Keith!” Allura shouted over the speakers. “Keith. I gotta tell you…” Lance mumbled, but Keith instantly shushed him. “No. No, none of that. None of that, we are not doing this right now.” He said. “Tell my people I love them.” Lance said, and Keith let out a low, heart-breaking sound as more tears slipped down his cheeks, “ Lance, no, you gotta tell them yourself. Please, please, you can’t-you can’t do this to me, please- I can’t lose you, I can’t, I need you to be okay.” Keith cried, pain and anguish and terror consuming him. Please please please- “They have to know before it’s too late.” Lance whispered.

“No-! Babe, please- “ Keith begged, but quickly cut himself off.

He tried to take a deep breath, but found that he couldn’t, because he was gasping way too quickly. “Just listen to me, okay? You gotta-Hey, can you look at me? Please, babe?” He asked. Lance lifted his head slightly, and Keith met his blue eyes. “Hey. Hey, there you are. Just focus on me, okay? You’re gonna be fine, I promise. All I want is for you to keep looking at me, okay? Keep talking to me. Keep talking to me, sweetheart.” Keith said, trying to smile. But he only trembled, unable to do anything but keep Lance pressed against him, “Okay.” Lance mumbled. Keith furiously grasped for something to keep him talking. “The stars! Hey, why don’t you tell me about the stars? Can you name them for me?” He asked. “You already know them.” Lance mumbled. “Keith! Where are you!” Allura shouted. “Keith?” Lance asked softly. “Hold on a second, okay, sweetheart?” Keith said.

  “Allura! We’re in the docking bay! Hurry, he’s losing a lot of blood!” He shouted before quickly looking back at Lance. “Go on.” He said. “I won’t ever love anyone like I love you. Ever.” Lance whispered. A noise came out of Keith as he choked on a sob, “ Blue…” he whispered in anguish. Blackness was closing in on Lance’s vision. “Name me the stars. Please.” Keith begged. And so, as his vision faded away, Lance started naming the stars he knew.