The Red and The Blue Paladins- The Constant Feud

The Plan

Every one of the Paladins sat at a round table because Allura had called them all there. 

"What are we doing here?!" Lance blurted out and Pidge elbowed him in the gut causing Lance to yelp. Keith rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to retort something but Shiro placed a hand on his shoulder, silencing Keith. 

"That's a very good questions, Lance," Allura cooed in her accented voice. "I've actually called everyone here to bring up something I've noticed lately. Shiro," she pointed at Shiro to take the lead in the conversation and she sat down. 

"I've noticed some... 'issues' lately..."

"What kind of issues?" Pidge snorted. 

"Some.... trust issues. I don't feel like everyone fully trusts the members of the team. I don't feel the connection I think needs to be felt," Shiro said bluntly. 

Pidge stood up, laughing. "Ohhh, I see. So Hunk and I aren't needed. You're referring to lover-boy and emo kid over there," Pidge chuckled. Hunk snorted too, realizing the two of them weren't being referred to. Allura and Shiro just didn't want them to feel called out. 

"No. No. That's not true. Keith and I are.... perfectly connected....?" Lance tried coaxing. His commented caused Pidge to burst out laughing. 

"Keep the dirty jokes to when you and Keith 'connect'," Pidge joked. 

"Not. Funny," Keith mumbled. 

"It sorta is..." Hunk sniggered to Pidge. 

"Not sorta. It definitely is," Pidge cracked. 

"Okay... now that the 'code' has been cracked. Pidge, Hunk, you two are dismissed," Allura said. They quickly left the room, giggling to one another. 

"Wait... so they were right? It is Keith and I?" Lance groaned. 

"Oh be quiet, you know it's true. You and your stupid pranks and having to one up me constantly," Keith pointed out. 

"Shut it, mullet!" Lance hollered. 

"Boys... BOYS!" Allura called, trying to get their attention. 

"This is exactly what we're talking about. The pranks, the name calling, the competitions, the blaming one another... the constant feud. It needs to stop," Shiro said. Keith scoffed. 

"And how are you planning to do that?" 

"Through a series of games, challenges, and exercises," Allura clapped excitedly. 

"Ooooh, games? Challenges? I love competing against Keith in those things... AND WINNING!" Lance cheered. 

"Pfft. When do you ever win against me?" Keith grunted. 

"Shut. It. Mullet."

"BE QUIET!" Shiro interjected. 

"These exercises are not for you to compete against each other but to work together to build your trust and relationship with one another. That's the whole point boys," Allura said calmly. 

"Oh no, no, no. I can't work with Keith on a team. That's...." 

"Impossible?" Keith offered. 

"Yes, impossible, thank you Keith," Lance said. Allura and Shiro smiled at one another. 

"....what....?" Keith drew out. 

"Oh. The fact that Keith helped me and I thanked him? That isn't bonding that's...."

"Helping Lance fill in words because he's an idiot," Keith offered again.