They're Back

9

Kinkade POV

Me and the other MFES made our way over to the paladins. "Heyyy! Kinkade, my man! What's up?" Keith asked, drink in hand. I smiled. "Not much. Just saving the planet is all," Keith laughed. "So fucking modest." "You know us. Humble, civil servants, trying to make the world a better place." Veronica said, throwing her arm over my shoulders.  "Hey, have you guys seen Griffin?" Pidge asked. "I don't think he's here. Parties aren't really his thing." Rizavi said, and me and the others nodded in agreement. Allura frowned. "Well that's too bad. He saved Earth too, he should be partying." "I saw him earlier. I think he left though. He didn't seem to happy." Lance stated. Ina rolled her eyes. "Well yeah. He's in love with Keith, and you two look like you're dating." Pidge's jaw dropped, and Shiro laughed. "I knew it! Keith I told you!" Lance said, poking the red paladin. "And I told YOU, I'm not interested in dating someone right now. Especially someone I work with. Besides, James seems... disturbed lately." I nodded "Yeah. He does that sometimes. Give him a day or two, and he'll be fine." Allura looked concerned. "I hope he's okay." "He might still be recovering from the thing with his dad. He never really got the chance to process it, what with the war and all." Hunk said. "I wouldn't mention that to him. I tried bringing it up once, and he death stared me. I honestly though he was going to kill me with his eyes." Shiro said. "Yeah, he doesn't strike me as the "talk about my feelings" kinda guy. We'll just have to be careful with the topic." Lance suggested. "That's probably for the best. Its a sensitive subject, and we have no idea how he'll react. We don't want to break him." I said.

"I'm not made of glass. I won't break if you push me too hard." James said, appearing, drink in hand. Me and Ina jumped a bit, and Rizavi cursed. "Holy fucking shit James. What the hell? Why'd you sneak up on us like that?" He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "You guys are literally the only people I know, and you're not exactly quiet. It's also pretty hard to miss the only uniforms that aren't orange." Hunk nodded "He has a point." "Yeah. And Griffin, we don't think you're delicate. We're just worried about you is all." Shiro said. "Yes. We're a team now. We need to look out for each other." Allura said. "I'm fine." James said nonchalantly. "Really? The war and what happened with your dad don't bother you at all?" Veronica asked. James shook his head. "No, and it's happened before. I'm fine guys, really." "Its happened before? James, why didn't you say something?" Rizavi asked, and James shrugged. "Its not a big deal. And besides, we're not here to have a pity party. We just defeated Sendak, and freed Earth!" "Yeah, James is right. Tonight, we PARTY!" Lance exclaimed.  "Hey, I heard Iverson mention a bar nearby. Why don't we go check it out?" Shiro suggested. "Yeah! Then we can get drunk as fuck and Iverson can't get mad at us." Keith said. "And we can take the lions!" Allura said smiling. "Wha- really? We get to go in the lions?" Ina said, starting to geek out. "Yeah, why not? We've been in the MFEs, why not let you guys in the lions?" Pidge said with a shrug. "Yeah! Ronny, you can ride with me! Ina, with Pidge, Rizavi with Hunk, Kinkade and Shiro with Allura, and James with Keith!" Lance suggested. "Is this based on who you think would pilot what lion?" Shiro asked, crossing his arms. "No! But its who you guys seem most like and have things in common- okay yeah." Lance admitted. I shrugged. "I don't mind." "Yeah! Let's go!" Rizavi exclaimed. "Race you?" Pidge suggested, and me and the others smiled. "Hell yeah." Veronica said, and she took off running.

We all raced to the hangars, getting weird looks from other people. It must've been weird seeing the heroes of Earth racing through the halls, acting like little kids. James and Keith got there first, followed by Allura, me, Lance, Veronica, Rizavi, Ina, Pidge, then Hunk. Shiro came in after us, sipping his drink and walking leisurely. "I don't do running. Especially when I still have half a drink. Let's go." He said, throwing his now empty cup in the trash. We all piled into our respective lions, and headed to the bar. "Whoa.." I said breathlessly from the cockpit. Shiro chuckled. "It's cool right?" I nodded wordlessly. The lion was so cool. Little glowing blue numbers and marks all over the screens, in an intricate and beautiful language. "How do you read all of this stuff?" I asked. Allura shrugged. "They don't , really. You just.. get it, through the bond with your lion. I'm Altean, so I can read it, but the others can't. But seriously, do you think James is alright? We can't have one of our leaders falling apart on a mission." I sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I thought I knew everything about him, but apparently I was wrong. But I know him. He won't let it affect his mission. He'll never admit to feeling bad or fall apart where someone can see him." Shiro nodded. "Ah. So he's that kind? Tough guy, no emotions besides happiness in public?" I nodded. "Yeah, pretty much. Before that, I'd never seen him cry. Even when the Galra first attacked. Everything Mr.Holt said was true. James is both family to us, and our stability. The voice of reason. And he'll do anything for us. Once, he took a direct hit in his fighter to protect us when we were escorting a pair of refugees. And he's gotten us out of a slump countless times." "And since he knows he is, he has to always be fine. He doesn't get to loosen up." Shiro said, and I nodded. "Exactly." "Well, then its a good thing we're going drinking. Once he gets a few beers in him, he'll loosen up." I laughed. "Good luck with that. He doesn't drink." Shiro threw his head back and groaned. "What? Really? The what did he have earlier?" "Probably soda. The Garrison wouldn't have alcohol at a party. Too many teens." "Well, he just made this a lot harder. Maybe we can trick him, spike his drink! I think I have some nunvil in here!" Allura suggested.

"I don't care if you're the fucking captain of the Atlas, or the blue paladin. If you spike my drink I will fucking kill you." James said through the comms, and I jumped. "Shit. He can hear us?" I asked. "We all can. The lions have built in communications systems." Pidge said. "Are you really gonna spike his drink?" Lance asked, and you could hear the smile in his voice. "It doesn't matter anymore. Now he knows." Rizavi said. "Which is sad. It would've been funny too." "Yes, and since he's probably never had it before, he most likely has a low alcohol tolerance." Ina stated. "I can't believe you don't drink." Keith said. "I have before, I just didn't like it." "Shut the fuck up. When?" Veronica asked. "I did once, before the invasion. But my date put some kinda crack in it, and I blacked out. Next thing I know, I'm in my room, and Iverson is yelling at me." James said, and we laughed. "You got drunk and high? Who are you and what have you done with James?" I asked, smile on my face. "Hey, its okay if he doesn't. I don't either, and Pidge can't." Hunk said. "Its not that I can't, its just that I shouldn't. Besides, Keith is a lot worse than me when he's drunk." "Really? Tell me more." James said, and Keith stopped him. "No no nope. Oh look, we're here. No time for stories." And turned off his comms.

We got out of the lions and entered the bar. Inside it was in pretty good shape, given the circumstances. There were already a bunch of other people there. Some civilians, aliens, and other Garrison people. "Wanna do shots?" Lance asked, and everyone, but Hunk and James, nodded in agreement. "No thanks." James said. "Aww come on James. Please? Just this once?" I pleaded. "Yeah James, please?" Ina asked. "No." "James, if you don't drink something, I will hold you down and force it down your throat." Veronica threatened. "You need to loosen up. Stop being so serious all the time. Have a little fun." "You couldn't do that if you tried." James pointed out. Out of us MFES, James was the strongest. He wasn't allowed to walk around shirtless or in a muscle tee/tank top anymore, cause he kept giving the cadets nosebleeds. "But she can if we help her." Shiro pointed out. "Come on Jamie, just this once?" Keith asked, pulling out the puppy dog eyes. James shook his head and looked everywhere but at him. "Please please please PLEASE?" He pleaded. "Come on James, just one?" Rizavi said, joining Keith with her own puppy dog eyes. "Nooo." "Yessss." "No." Keith leaned on him, practically draping himself on James's chest. "Just one?" James sighed. "Fine. If it makes you guys happy. But just one."

Next thing we know, they're having a shots contest, and everyone, except Hunk, is tipsy. Allura is the closest to being sober, because apparently Alteans have a higher alcohol tolerance. Keith, Shiro and James are in the lead, downing glass after glass while me and the others cheer them on. "Yeah Mullet!" Lance says. "Come on Shiro, you're falling behind!" Pidge whined. Shiro sighed and out down his glass. "Nope, no more. I can't feel my hands. And Adam will kill me for being this drunk." He slurred. James smiled. "Don't worry old timer, you did well. And Adam wouldn't kill you. He still wore his ring, even after you disappeared. But I didn't tell you." Keith laughed "Haha! I told you! When's the wedding? Can I be best man?" he asked, and Shiro blushed. "Shut up. Drink your shots." Keith shrugged and downed another, along with James. Hunk sighed and stepped forward, taking the glasses from them. "Okay, that's enough. No more for them." He said to the bartender, who smiled. "No problem. I'm surprised they lasted that long. This is some pretty strong stuff. You guys are pretty hardcore." And took the glasses, stepping away to service someone else.

"So should we head back now?" Lance asked. "No! We should talk!" Keith exclaimed. "Yeah! Team bonding time!" James agreed. Throwing his arm around Keith's shoulders. "Right Shiro?" Said man nodded. "Yeah. But maybe outside. No more drinks. And these lights hurt my eyes." He stood and wobbled a bit, before regaining his balance. James and Keith stood, with their arms around each other, and steadily walked out.