@klance-microfics-2026 word count: 801
The worst part about being a paladin, in Keith’s opinion, was the people part. Not his team- he loved them, or at least he has grown to, but the other people. All the kings and emperors and presidents; military generals, and leader-elects. The people he had to play nice with after saving their planet.
And maybe if they were always professional, always grateful, always focused on peacemaking, it wouldn’t be so hard. But they definitely, definitely were not. They were often selfish, entitled, and more concerned with making themselves look good or lining their own pockets than what their planet can do to help the alliance. Keith did his best to just stay quiet and out of the way, as usual, and leave the diplomacy to Allura and Shiro.
Unfortunately, that means he is entirely unprepared for the new ‘public relations maintenance’ scheme Allura was trying to launch; offering private paladin-lead tours of the castle to exactly the people Keith was trying to avoid.
“OOoooo! And where does this lead?” The emperor of Cal-Tox6 asked, pointing to a doorway with a plaque reading ‘kitchen storage’ above it. Emperor Sly was nice enough, but a bit of idiot in a way that made it very hard for Keith to keep up the professional tone he knew Allura was expecting of him.
“The kitchen storage.” Keith said stiffly, and Sly slumped disappointedly.
“Well that’s not exciting.” He scoffed, and Keith grit his teeth. They had already gone through all the exciting stuff; the training deck, the lion hangers, even the med bay. Now they just had to make their way through this last hallway to the kitchen where Allura was waiting for them and Keith would be free. “What about that door?” Sly asked, excitement renewed pointing to a door that led to Keith’s bedroom.
“That’s a paladin bedroom. Not on the tour.” He said shortly, not stopping and hoping Sly would just drop it and follow him.
“Oh! Now that’s exciting! Let’s have a look then.” He said, selectively ignoring Keith’s words and stopping in front of the door. Keith turned around and crossed his arms, trying very hard to remember how not to scowl.
“It’s not on the tour, it’s private.” He said again, but Sly wasn’t deterred at all, prodding at the keypad outside the door. Keith tried to breath deep. He absolutely could not lay a hand on this guy or he would be in so much trouble, not to mention maybe cost the alliance another planet, but he really just wanted to grab his wrist and drag him out of there. Luckily, he didn’t have to, as a familiar voice carried down the hallway towards them before he had the chance.
“Hey you two! I was wondering where you were, everyone else is back already.” Lance was walking down the hall towards them from the kitchen, shooting a worrying look to Keith whose frustration must be apparent on his face. “Everything good?” He said, and Sly answered for him.
“No!” The emperor said, petulantly. “I want to see this room and Paladin Keith is not letting me in!” Keith was surprised he wasn’t literally stomping his feet but he shot a frustrated glance to Lance and made a gesture like, see what I’ve been dealing with? Lance seemed to understand immediately, and easily he slung an arm around the emperor’s shoulder and turned him back towards the kitchen.
“Oh, Sly my man, that’s a bedroom- too boring for a tour.”
“It’s not boring!” Sly insisted, trying to turn back towards the room. “I want to see where the paladins sleep! Sleep is very sacred to the Cal-Tox people.” Lance nodded so patiently in a way Keith could never manage.
“I totally understand, but the thing is; sleep is sacred to humans too. And if we let you in there,” He chuckled, “Well, we’d have to kill you.” Keith’s eyes widen and Sly stiffens a little, and turns more in the direction Lance is trying to push him.
“Really?” He tests, and Lance keeps the easy smile on his face while he nods.
“Yup! Nothing personal, just our culture, so let’s skip the bedroom, hmm?” Sly nods again, looking at least a little chastised, and lets Lance steer him towards the kitchen. “Oh!” He says over his shoulder, meeting Keith’s gaze. “Paladin Keith, there was something you needed to take care of in the training room, right? I’ll let our fearless leaders know you’re seeing to it.”
He winked and turned back around, leading Sly away from Keith who was left gaping a little. Lance had swooped in and saved him so easily; how did even know Keith was two seconds away from decking an emperor? And why did the wink he shot towards him leave Keith’s cheeks warm?
