The Red Paladins Klance

Chapter 17

Was Keith able to handle being separated from Lance? Not at all. As soon as they got into the Garrison and revealed themselves, they all were separated and taken into interrogation, just like Shiro said they would. Keith instantly lashed out at the Garrison soldiers who grabbed him, tugging him away from Lance. No matter what they asked him, he would not answer. “Tell us what happened!” One of them shouted. Keith gripped his hair, closing in on himself. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. His ears were ringing again and he was completely consumed by powerful anxiety. “Just-let me see him-Let me see Lance-“ Keith growled, but the Garrison soldier cut him off. “You will see Cadet McClain when you have told us what happened!” Keith snarled threateningly at the soldier at this, about to turn Galra. The hostility made Keith dangerous, realizing Lance was being bared down on like this as well.

   It reminded Keith too much of when Lance was being targeted. Too much. He clenched his hands, furiously trying to control himself. And little did he know, Lance was experiencing the same thing. Freaking out, wanting to see Keith. Reminded of how he had been targeted as well. Finally, after some point, Lance was brought to Keith, and the two quickly calmed down at the sight of each other. “He started screaming.” One of the Garrison soldiers said. “Are you okay?” Keith asked Lance quietly. “Fine. Are you?” Lance said. Keith nodded, but he was still staring at the soldiers as if he was going to murder them. “Keith. Your eyes. Calm down.” Lance whispered, putting his hand on Keith’s leg, grounding him. Keith slowly dropped his snarl, letting out a sharp breath.

Luckily, they got through their interrogation, without Keith tearing someone’s throat out.

It took a bit to calm him down after they were finally able to leave. Lance took his hand, brushing his thumb over the back of it. Keith looked at him, and Lance gave him a comforting smile, trying to get him to relax. It was nothing like when they were targeted, but it was close enough. Keith softly sighed, “It’s just-them holding us-the hostility-it reminds me too much of when you used to get targeted.” He muttered. “I know. I felt the same way. I guess the sensory overload makes us get separation anxiety too, doesn't it?” Lance said. Keith nodded, “That’s what Pidge was telling me about. Telling me that we should stay together. She said it would help to get through the whole thing.” He said quietly.

  Then he sighed again, and his tense form dropped. “I’m glad you were there. I would have turned Galra on those soldiers, no doubt.” He said. “I’m glad I was there too. They would’ve shot you down, did experiments on you. I couldn’t even bear the thought of that, I would have gone insane.” Lance said. They spent the next few minutes alone, walking around. “Lance! Keith!” Shiro’s voice came in through their comms, sounding urgent. “What is it, Shiro?” Keith asked, concerned. “We need you guys to come back to Blue’s cave, ASAP. Something’s up, you two got a mission!” Shiro said. “What-Already?” Lance asked in alarm as they ran to where Blue’s cave was. “I’ll tell you when you get here, just be quick.” Shiro said.

When they made it to the cave, Shiro and the others were waiting for them.

“These strange ships were shown heading here, to Earth. They aren’t recognizable at all. I want you two to intercept them, see what they’re doing all the way over here. Red’s the fastest, I know you can do this quickly.” Shiro said. “Is there any life?” Keith asked. “None that we can see. That’s why you need to get to the main control and see the ship’s information.” Shiro said. “You got it, Shiro.” Lance said, and they both went into Red, taking off into space. “You don’t recognize those ships either, do you?” Lance asked, beside Keith. “No. Let’s go find out where they came from.” Keith said, pushing Red’s controls forward. But the moment they came close, the ships started firing at them. Keith instantly pulled back, confused. “What-Are they being controlled by something?” Keith asked.

   “Red’s not showing any other ships nearby, especially not ones that we can see. We have no idea who or what’s controlling this-Ah!” Lance said, but cried out when Red was hit, knocking him away. “Lance!” Keith shouted, but then they got hit again, and everything went black.