Keith needed to lie better. He was only here because his mom got sick and asked for him to fill in for her. That in itself was weird but he heard that it was some kind of bug that was going around the Blades. It was the only reason he was here. There was literally no one else available. And of course, he had no real plans according to his mom. Apparently, training and sleeping did not count as ‘plans’. Add in that he had a space dog that could get him to say location quickly... nail in the coffin.
That’s how he got here, sitting alone at a table in the grand ballroom. Dressed in his fancy uniform and hair neatly tied back. Bored out of his damn mind. Sighing he tuned out the noise around him, the music, and the endless chatter. He was busy tapping his fingers when another waiter stopped by offering chocolateS. They kept coming by so he finally grabbed one. “Thanks.” He nodded at the guy who was just staring at him. He finally arched a brow and the waiter left.
Finally, the guy left so he dropped it onto his plate. It was irritating how they kept pushing the sweets. He didn’t even like them but they kept offering them to him since he arrived. He had been hiding them in his pockets and he eventually dumped them in the pond yesterday. But today, he had them on his bed, desk, and strangely enough in the bathroom. He thought it was weird, so he flushed them. He didn’t like the texture of the chocolate and he felt uncomfortable saying he didn’t like it or asking to stop. So he just hid them.
He felt a little like a fraud but what was he gonna do? If he left them around, Cosmo would eat them so had to get rid of them. Cosmo ate everything but he had heard that dogs cannot eat chocolate so he did not want to take any risks. But it was getting annoying. And now, they must think he liked them or maybe they were really popular on this planet. Like a delicacy.
He heard a voice, Shiro? Turning back to the table, there he was! Shiro was grinning at him. “Look who finally made it to the big boys' table!”
Laughing he fist-bumped him only to hear, “No, no, he didn’t mean you, he meant me!”
Lance plopped in the chair next to him, playfully hitting his knee. Keith laughed, “What are you guys doing here? No one said you would be here!”
Lance grinned, “Yeah, well, a certain commander said you were in the neighborhood, so here we are.”
Keith finally felt himself relax. This was suddenly doable. He hadn’t seen everyone in ages. He opened his mouth to inquire about the rest of the team when suddenly a waitress was bowing, offering him another candy. “Oh no, I already…” He looked down, what the hell? Where was the candy? He had one on his plate.
Frowning he felt a weight on his side. And a small voice sweetly stated, “Yes, thank you! He loves them!! Please bring him another. Thanks!”
Keith huffed a laugh, and whispered, “Oh really, I love them? I think a certain little paladin likes them!”
The waitress holds out a tray and he grabs one, “Thanks.” He waits until she leaves before offering it to Pidge who promptly pops it in her mouth. He found himself staring. At her mouth. Which was way more shiny and plump than he remembered. He watched as she moaned and he felt his pants tighten. Then her tongue swiped and his breath got caught in his throat resulting in him coughing. He had to look away before he embarrassed himself anymore.
The night passes quickly. Before long, Hunk and Shay arrived. With all of them at the table, he was able to relax and dinner was actually fun. He caught up with everyone and there was a lot of laughter and joking. Then the after-dinner speeches were made which was so much more fun with Pidge’s sarcastic comments when the music finally started. Dancing. He felt himself glance at Pidge. She looked amazing. She was in a dress, that seemed to flutter at her every movement, catching his eye more than not. He wanted to ask her to dance but he was nervous.
Deciding to head to the bar for some liquid courage, he ordered a round for the table and waited for the bartender to finish. As he waited, Pidge walked up and said she was here to help so he didn’t embarrass by spilling. While standing he couldn’t help but notice that she was a few inches taller than usual. He inquired and she replied that she was wearing shoes that were called wedges, which were apparently comfortable. He wondered why that mattered to him but he found that her legs looked longer and he had to forcibly turn away before he did something that he couldn’t take back. Pushing his hands into his pocket, he forcibly stopped himself from reaching for her.
The night continued and drinks were flowing. While it was hard for Keith to get drunk on the usual earth drinks, he made sure to limit himself because he was the ambassador for the Blades, something Lance certainly was not doing. Keith wasn’t sure how he got louder than his usual self but he did. As the night got on, everyone was much more relaxed, and he found himself finally able to ask Pidge to dance. Gazing down at her felt his heart beat faster and he imperceptibly moved her closer through a turn. He contemplated his feeling for the young lady before him. He knows that their people are interested in dating him but he never could commit to it. But gazing down at her, he couldn’t help but think, he’d move mountains for her.
Keith and Shiro we alone at the table when he caught some whispers. As they pieced together the words, his heart froze. His gaze met Shiro’s concerned one. Fuck!
Without thought, he had moved, his blade held against the waiter's throat. “Poison! You bastards, I’ll kill you all before I let you hurt her.”
The room was silent and guards surrounded him and his target. Tightening his grip, he roared, “Tell me, what was in those goddamn chocolates? I want the antidote-NOW.” Keith was trying to control the red haze that was threatening to overcome him. He wanted to kill. He needed to protect her! But he knew he needed to control these emotions to be sure that he got the antidote.
He felt Shiro was at his back, ready to defend. Hoping to avert a tragedy. There was no way anyone was hurting her. Keith continues, growling out the words, “Tell me now, or your death will start the end of your world. I’ll burn this whole planet down without a thought if –“
“Keith! Don’t say anymore.”
“No!! I don’t give a fuck!” Turning his gaze back to the frightened servant, “Speak or die, now. Choose.”
Guards surrounding Shiro and Keith pointed their weapons at them, which Keith paid absolutely no mind to. Suddenly they part to reveal the King. “Stand down cub. The poison is debilitating to Galra but does not have the same effects on humans. Your woman is safe. No one is going to die.” He held his hands up placatingly and tried to calm him down.
Keith tightened his grip on the waiter, replying, “I’m going to need some hard proof. Pardon me if I don’t believe you.”
Shiro interjected, “Excuse me, your majesty. Poison does not impart any good feelings on our part. Nor does it mean that we are inclined to work with you. Especially with our Galra friends being sick. So, just know that Earth stands with the Blades.”
At this point, Lance, Hunk, and Pidge come back and see them surrounded by guards, and rushes to their friends' sides. Keith doesn’t drop the servant, instead turning concernedly to Pidge, “Katie!” He looks her over and says concerningly, “Are you okay, feeling well? The chocolates were poison. And you ate so many! I’m sorry!”
Feeling overwhelmed, he pushes the guard away and reaches for her. Pulling her close he looks into her eyes, touching her forehead, and finally using his fingers to trace her face. He pulls her close, wrapping an arm around her.
The King replies, “Paladins, we do not want war. I need to ask your forgiveness. We simply wanted an advantage. It’s not, uh, what you would call poison. No death! But more of a relaxant, with some negative side effects. It can, however, lower one’s guard and it seems, to make Galra sick. We had hoped, if you ate it, with your human and Galra genes, it would work best. I am sorry.”
The kind dropped to his knee and bowed. “Forgive an old man who simply wanted every advantage for his people.”
Pidge grabs Keith’s hand, exclaiming loudly, “Okay! But you will have to give up more in the negotiations. Any hope you had of coming out ahead is now irrecoverable.”
Keith froze. He allowed the team to negotiate and create guidelines. He was in no shape to speak rationally. At the end of the night, Lance laughed, “Keith, you played that off well! I thought you were actually going to kill someone…or everyone!”
Keith nodded but didn’t reply. He didn’t know how to say, he wasn’t playing anything off. He would have killed them all, without a second's hesitation. If, if… something happened to Katie. He wouldn’t even feel guilty. Maybe he should save that tidbit for later. He felt her hand brush him, gripping it tightly and he figured, maybe a trip to Earth was in store.
Prom. Katie never imagined she’d go but here she was. At the masquerade, ball-themed dance Pidge somehow feels like she is a different person. Yes, she was actually working the dance so it’s not like she was here for fun, instead, she got roped into helping her friends. Hunk needed her to help with the lights, Allura needed her help with the drone recordings and Lance asked for her to help with the electrical hookups for the DJ. All in all, she was pretty busy but Allura asked her to dress the part so she didn’t stand out.
Looking down, she felt like a completely different girl in a pantsuit. She had on shiny silver converse paired with an emerald green jumpsuit. But even though it was pants, it still drew attention, mostly because it was different from the hordes of skimpy dresses or huge ball gowns which she would have felt self-conscious in. Allura pinned her hair and she had some curls framing her face. She also did her makeup and paired it with a black half-mask. Her arms were bare with a cool bicep silver band and the front was a little lower than she was used to but no one recognized her. In fact, Hunk and Lance even were surprised when she arrived.
Looking around she decided to check the wires in the back because she knew that some people wandered back there and she didn’t want any surprises. As she walked back behind the stage, she bent over with her phone as a flashlight to double-check all the connections. As she stood, she turned and bumped into a body.
“Ow. Excuse me.” Rubbing her nose, she took a step back and to the left. That’s when the guy who she bumped into replied, “You’re gorgeous, let’s take a few minutes for ourselves and get to know each other better. Ya know what I mean?”
Pidge groaned, “Yeah, not interested buddy. I’m just gonna, HEY!”
As Pidge moved around him he grabbed her arm and started dragging her deeper into the darkness. Oh hell no! This guy must have a death wish because her brother and dad taught her how to defend herself and others. She pivoted and twisted her arm breaking free. As she planted her feet to give him the last warning, she saw a fist shoot out. Right into said guys chin.
Blinking, she tried to make out the shadow looming closer. He was definitely taller than her but not her brother. He was lean like him though and the form on the punch was perfect. But it can’t be Shiro because he is out of town. Who else would…
“I believe Katie said back off. So, while I know she could wipe the floor with you I don’t see the need when I’m here. Touch her again, and I will end you.”
That voice, she knows him. Standing still she waits to see what the asshole does. He finally leaves and she turns, “Keith, I had it.”
“I know. But you getting expelled for hitting someone is a tragedy. Me…not so much.”
“Dammit, Keith! Stop acting like you’re dispensable. You matter.”
“Sure thing. So, let’s go on back out there.” He reaches for her hand and her heart stutters. Damn, she thought she got over this little crush. Then he links their fingers and tugs her forward, heading for the door.
Right before they hit the gym, he mutters, “You, um, look great. So, wanna dance?”
Blushing she nods, guess the crush was alive and well!
It was roughly 3 am when Pidge was woken up from a sound sleep. Blinking she saw a figure looming over her, instinctively she threw out a fist and tried to scramble out of the covers. Until she heard the words, “Pidge, Katie, it’s me! Stop you’re safe!”
Keith. That voice was Keith’s. Trying to calm down, she muttered, “Dude! You scared the crap out of me!” Quickly reaching for his arm, “Wait, are you okay? Why are you here?”
He chuckled, “Yeah, I’m good now that you’re not trying to kill me. As for why I’m here, well, you’re the smartest person I know, and I think, well, I think this is a dragon’s egg.”
Keith laughed, “Yep, totally the smartest.”
“Fuck you! Lemme see, damn I gotta turn on a light.”
Keith muttered something that sounded like, “I wish” but she disregarded it and reached for her bedside light. She had to have misheard. Focus.
Once the bed light table light turned on, she reached for the ‘egg’ in Keith’s hands. Oh my! She cradled it in her arms, holding it close like a baby. “How did you find this?” It was huge and heavy. But didn’t look too remarkable. Not like super colorful or has no remarkable design. Hmmm.
Looking up, she finds Keith has sat next to her on her bed. His eyes are not on the egg, however. Instead, they are on her bare legs. She feels her face heating but for some reason, she doesn’t cover up either. Refocusing, she flips through her mental notes trying to determine what was myth and fact.
Cosmo leaned forward to give her a lick and then hopped onto the foot of the bed exhausted. Grinning, she leaned forward and rubbed Cosmo’s ears. “Awwww, wear him out did ya?
Keith frowned, “He’s showing off for you.” Nudging him with his foot he muttered, “Faker.” They compared notes and argued and hours later were still contemplating this new development. As eventually discussed, they got closer and closer to each other. And Keith was so warm. She found herself leaning closer and closer to him.
Matt found them cuddled together with a baby dragon.
