Chapter Text
“Ow ow ow!” Lance hisses when Keith helps him with his shirt.
“Dumb ass don’t rush it.” He scolds going slower despite Lance’s sighing.
“Yeah but the sooner we get my clothes off-“ He smirks looking at Keith.
“No,” Keith points a finger in his face. “My clothes are staying on me and you are taking a bath not a shower.” Lance huffs and then winces when he moves his right shoulder too much.
“This going to affect my shot for a long time.” He sighs pouting. Keith starts to undo Lance’s pants, pointedly looking away. Lance leans on Keith’s shoulder carefully stepping out of his jeans. Keith ushers him into the tub swatting at Lance’s wondering hands.
“Is the water too hot?” Keith asks dipping his hands in the water.
“Why don’t you come test it yourself?” He grins. Keith rolls his eyes.
“My hand is in the water Lance, I can feel it just fine.” Lance pouts eyes going big and wide. “No you stop that right now.” Lance whines a little looking down sadly. One mississippi . . . two mississippi . . . “Fine!” Keith gives in throwing his hand in the air.
“Yay.” Lance hums wiggling forward in the tub. Keith locks the door and then strips his clothes off quickly before carefully sliding behind Lance. “You could have gone a little slower.” Lance teases looking over his good shoulder.
Keith’s face is flushed as he grabs a cloth and starts washing Lance’s body down, extra gentle when he goes over the marks still engraved in his back.
“God you’re a wreck Lance.” He frowns re soaping the cloth.
“Thought you liked me as a hot mess?” He jokes tilting his head forward.
“Not because of what I’ve done though.” Keith bites his lips tracing the cloth over bite marks in Lance’s neck. There’s yellowish bruising around each little puncture mark. Purple marks outline the long scratches in Lance’s back.
“Hey Keith, I’m okay.” He says honestly glancing behind him. Lance slowly leans back and Keith helps him when he figures out what he’s doing. Once Lance is flush against Keith’s chest he hums contently. “You’re so warm.” He whispers. Keith grabs the cloth cleaning around the dressing careful not to get it wet. He grabs a dry cloth and puts it over Lance’s shoulder, lifting the wet cloth to Lance’s head he slowly washes it.
“Tilt.” Keith orders moving Lance’s head away from his bad shoulder, massaging some shampoo into his hair. “Are you falling asleep?”
“Dude it just lulls me I can’t help it.” He mumbles letting Keith’s hands work their magic. Keith chuckles and finished washing his hair. Lance stays pressed up against Keith’s chest breathing getting deeper by the second.
“Hey,” He nudges the man in front of him. “Water’s getting cold.”
“Don’t care, you’re warm.” He mutters pressing closer. Keith jolts when he gets a little too close. “Oh well hello there.” Lance purrs tilting his head back to watch Keith. He pushes against the end of the tub wiggling in Keith’s lap.
“Lance.” He warns.
“What?” he asks innocently. “Don’t like your own medicine?” He grins. Keith kisses him on the forehead.
“I do like it, just not right now. You’re hurt and everyone is out there waiting.” Keith moves his toes around the bottom of the tub till he’s pulling on the chain attached to the plug with his toes. The water starts draining, leaving their wet bodies in the chilly air.
“Jerk.” Lance shivers. Keith steps out first and then helps Lance, he takes his time helping Lance dry himself even though he doesn’t need this much help. There’s soft kisses and warm touches all over until Keith holds up his hands and steps away from Lance.
“This is going to end badly and I am not hurting you anymore.” He says breathless shaking his head when Lance gets close to him.
“I need someone to change the dressing.” He pouts. Keith unlocks the door before Lance gets to him.
“Hunk! Lance needs your help!” Keith shouts.
“You’re the devil.” He glares when he hears his friend coming down the hall. Keith shrugs not looking sorry at all.
“If you would have listened I would have helped you.” He points out.
“Yeah but how am I supposed to resist you though? I mean you were naked and wet and-“
“Whoa am I interrupting something here? Want me to come back later?” Hunk says nervously stepping away from the door.
“No.”
“Yes!”
Hunk looks back and forth between the two men before Keith steps out clapping him on the shoulder. Hunk looks back at his best friend who’s wearing quite the pout.
“I’m not breakable.” He grumbles making Hunk burst out laughing. He sets the new dressings down on the counter.
“You’re far from it bud. I think he’s just concerned. We all are really.” He gives him a soft smile before pealing the old bandage off Lance.
“I know.” He sighs. Hunk cleans the wound making Lance bite his lip and swear.
“So . . .” Hunk says not making eye contact with Lance as he keeps dabbing the wound. “Shiro says he found you and Keith in a rather . . . interesting situation this morning. If those marks are what I think they are you have a story to share.” He grins at his friend. Lance and Hunk don’t keep secrets they tell each other everything. They tell Pidge too but they don’t care for details sometimes.
“I stayed at his house and . . . things happened.” He smiles wiggling his toes.
“You mean sex happened. Very rough sex by the looks of it, how the hell did he even scratch you so badly?” Hunk asks peering around at Lance’s back. Lance hesitates not completely sure how to say he had sex while Keith was not in human form.
“Um he’s just- uh gets carried away I guess.” Lance laughs nervously.
“Dude. No you didn’t.” Hunk stares gawking. Lance bites his lip shrugging sheepishly. “Oh my god I can’t believe you! Wasn’t that . . . weird?” He leans close whispering.
“Not weird but . . . different. The ears are cute and the biting is actually kind of a turn on.” He ducks his head twiddling his thumbs. “The tail took a little bit to get used to.”
“T-tail? He has a tail?” Hunk gasps eyes wide. “Lance.”
“What?”
“You’re a- you’re a furry.” As soon as he says it Hunk slaps his hands over his mouth trying to hide his smile. Lance is sitting there sputtering.
“I-I am not!” Hunk nods variously.
“You totally are. But I mean I’m not like kink shaming you, that’s just something some people are into.” He shrugs, teasing smile still playing on his lips.
“I hate you.” Lance groans into his hands.
*
Shiro takes the couch for the night while Keith goes with Lance to his room, but not before Shiro does ’I’m watching you’ thing with his fingers while Keith isn’t looking.
“Easy.” Keith says when Lance sits down in bed.
“I’m fine.” He reassures pushing his feet under the covers. “Now get in here and warm me up, I’m freezing.” Keith climbs in on the other side snuggling up to Lance like he demands.
“You just want me for my warmth.” He grumbles as Lance pushes his face into his chest.
“I’ve always wanted a portable heater.” He teases. “Can I stay up and watch?” He says turning to Keith. It’s eleven thirty, they had stayed up discussing how they’d pack up everything here and then the shop, saving Keith’s place for last since he has the least amount of stuff, before taking them to Voltron.
“If you make it that long, you look exhausted.” He murmurs running his hands through Lance’s hair.
“I have a few ideas on what we can do until then . . . “ he smiles stoking down Keith’s torso. Keith grabs Lance’s hand and bring it back over the covers, kissing each knuckle softly.
“You had a knife protruding out of your chest just a few hours ago-“
“Shoulder. It was my shoulder.” Lance corrects.
“And good thing too. Lance that was really stupid what you did back there, you shouldn’t have done that.” Keith buries his face in Lance’s hair breathing in his already familiar scent. “What if I lost you?” he says softly.
“Keith,” Lance says trying to twist himself so he’s perched on Keith’s chest, he only makes it halfway before Keith shoves him down so there’s no pressure on his shoulder, he definitely calls him a dumbass too. “Pidge aims to kill, and they never miss. Never.” His lips are in a tight flat line staring into Keith’s eyes, his grip tightens on his shoulder. “I would have been the one losing someone today if I didn’t do what I did.”
Keith leans forward as much as he can trying to get his lips to Lance’s.
“You have like, a million chins at this angle.” Lance giggles watching Keith gawk at him ready to scold him until he closes the distance between them. They stay like that kissing lazily, Keith rolls Lance onto his back to give him shoulder a break because if they have to get Hunk in here to change that bandage again Keith is gunna be pissed. Lance sighs into Keith’s mouth when warm hands roam up and down his side.
“I could stay here forever with you.” Keith whispers gazing into Lance’s loving eyes. “I love you.” He breathes tracing Lance’s face. Lance watches as Keith’s eyes slowly change from a deep grey to a light one then it switches, brightening into a warm yellow. Purple travels over Keith’s skin like rain water finding a new path on the ground for the first time. Lance watches in wonder fingers following after the purple marks of skin.
“I love you too.” Lance replies when the transformation is complete. “Every single part of you.” Keith kisses Lance again, a little needier this time than the one before. Lance drags his nails down Keith’s back matching his pace.
“Hey,” Keith says booping Lance’s noise. ”That’s my job.” He grins. Lance grins back up at him.
“Then maybe you should start working.” He smirks, Keith’s cheeks are dusted with a navy blush.
“As soon as you’re better I will. But for now we need to get some sleep, we have a long day tomorrow.” Lance reluctantly agrees only letting Keith curl into his side when he promises to follow through when Lance is healed.
*
They spend the next day throwing everything they can into boxes, well except for Lance who’s constantly told to go sit down instead of trying to help. Pidge drops everyone off at the shop while they do a coffee run, returning with enough cups that everyone can have two. Shiro is on the phone for a while explaining everything to the leader of Voltron, Pidge is typing and scrolling away on their computers pulling as much information from Zarkon as possible before they realise what’s happening.
That leaves Keith and Hunk to babysit while trying to pack up all their weapons, curtesy of Zarkon funding.
“Guys just let me help.” Lance sighs grabbing stuff with his good arm, his other is bound in a sling.
“NO.” Hunk and Keith drone before placing more stuff in boxes.
“Can I do something? I’m kind of nervous about everything and I just need to do something.” He frowns bouncing on his toes. Hunk is the first to give in and Keith quickly follows, but he held out longer than Hunk for the record.
“The moving van should be here any moment to get all your stuff.” Shiro says happily after he’s gotten off the phone.
“Are they . . . are they really just going to except us?” Hunk says as he adjusts his headband. Shiro starts grabbing boxes and putting them over by the door.
“Allura will welcome you with open arms.” Shiro assures.
“Yeah she’ll probably welcome you with something too.” Keith teases, tongue barley poking through his teeth. Shiro turns on him glaring.
“Do you want to know all the details Keith?” he says using his own brother’s tactic against him. Keith crosses his arms over his chest.
“Why I’d love to hear about what you two get up to when you’re not off on missions.” He grins. Shiro’s cheeks turn bright red as he grabs another box, lifting it with more force than necessary.
“W-well too bad, mind your own business.” He sputters turning away from the group. Pidge walks up to Keith holding their fist out. Keith bumps it grinning.
“Savage.” Pidge compliments. There’s a loud knocking at the door so Shiro gladly goes to open it.
“Shiro! So glad to see you!” A man with bright orange hair embraces Shiro, patting him on the back.
“Hey Coran, good to see you too. There’s some people I want to introduce you too.” The large man points to the three new team members who smile and wave timidly.
“Holy mustache.” Pidge whispers, Hunk nods unable to all away from the man’s facial hair.
“My name’s Coran.” Pidge Hunk and Lance all reply with their names. ”Allura and I look forward to getting to you know all so let’s load up that van shall we?”
Coran talks amongst everyone getting to know them, he seems very chipper. Lance asks Shiro is he’s told Voltron everything about them and he confirms he has.
“And they still want us?” Shiro smiles at him and it’s not a terrifying one it’s welcoming, He slings an arm around Lance’s shoulder careful not to hurt him.
“Yes we still want you Lance. You’re part of the team now.” Lance bites his lips wondering if he should bring this up.
“You’re okay with me and Keith?” he asks quietly. The large man hugs him a little tighter.
“That’s not my call that’s up to Keith . . . but I approve if that’s any consolation.” Lance grins up at Shiro wrapping his free arm around his waist.
“Well I appreciate it.” Keith watches the friendly exchange grinning when he sees them smiling at each other. Coran walks over interrupting the two.
“Say, your arm there- does it hurt?” Coran asks leaning forward.
“Uh yeah can’t really move it. It’ll scar pretty badly . . . it might affect my aim.” Coran’s eyes brighten up at that.
“Well I have just the thing! It’s called a healing pod, relatively new but it’ll fix you up in a jiffy repairing most of the damage. Only take an hour, two max.” He bounces excitedly.
“You’d let me use that?” Lance asks watching the mustache bounce with the man.
“Well of course! You’re part of the team now lad.” They wink talking away. Shiro pats his good arm.
“Told you part of the team.”
*
It takes about an hour to load up the large moving van and the creepy white van and they’re on their way to their new lives. A fresh start. It’s well into the night when they reach the secret hideout of Voltron, it’s a little shack in the middle of nowhere until a large metal door erupts from the earth lined with bright lights.
“How do you feel?” Keith asks Lance when they follow Coran’s van down a long tunnel.
“Perfectly fine why do you ask?” he replies tensely. Keith shoots him a blank look, even if his Galra eyes have no pupils he’s still quite expressive, maybe even more so with his ears.
“You’ve been rubbing a hole into my hand for the last hour.” He points out. Lance sighs leaning into him.
“What if- what if we’re not good enough? What if this Allura doesn’t fully understand everything we’ve done and then changes her mind? What if she decides I’m not good enough and only needs Pidge and Hunk and- and I can’t be with you or them anymore.” He rubs his free hand through his hair repeatedly as his babbles on. Keith kisses him quickly putting his arm around him.
“You are part of this team now Lance. Because you are good enough, and so are Pidge and Hunk. Look at me Lance,” Lance is biting his bottom lip when he stares up at Keith. “I love you and nothing will stop me from being with you Lance, as long as you want me of course.”
“I love you too.” Lance responds resting his head on Keith’s shoulder. The van comes to a hault and the doors slide open from the outside. Keith tugs on Lance’s hand pulling them towards the door. He falters in his steps and Keith doesn’t miss a beat.
“Together okay?” Keith smiles warmly and Lance would follow him anyway, even into a new life.
“Together.” He smiles back. They meet Pidge, Hunk, Shiro and their new friend Coran in the middle of a room. Doors across the room slam open to reveal a beautiful dark skinned women with flowing white hair. She walks with the grace of a born leader, fierceness burning in her eyes. She stops in front of them. Keith gives Lance’s hand a tight squeeze.
“New Paladins,” she smiles brightly looking at each one of them, hands clasped together excitedly. “Welcome to Volton.”