Flow Chapter 7 of 8
Blue's presence in my mind flared to life, soothing coos that sounded dimly like crashing waves. I allowed myself to relax somewhat, the tears slowing.
I am here my Paladin, may I enter your room? Their voice wasn't insistent, I could feel the care they felt towards me. Nodding, I stood up, making my way to the door that lead to the hallway.
Opening the door, I stepped back, allowing the alien creature inside. They smiled sadly, opening their blue arms. I hurled myself into them, my sobs starting anew. Their warm embrace held me tightly, guiding us to the bed.
I am sorry my Paladin, you should not have done what you did. But I understand why. You wanted to stop the suffering, in a phrase your mother would use, 'rip it off fast, like a Band-Aid'. They spoke in my mind, one large hand moving slowly through my hair. I understand also why you feel this way. An awesome power has been given to you, it could very easily be used for evil, monstrous purposes.
I sobbed harder, and began to pull away. Blue allowed me only about a foot of space before giving me a warning look.
"I don't want to be a monster!" I cried, biting my lip to hold in another sob. "How could I so easily kill them like that? They had people they loved, people who loved them. What kind of monster can just kill them like that?" I confessed, wringing my hands.
You are not a monster. Why would Blue, a member of the ultimate force for good, Voltron, choose a monster as their Paladin? They soothed, grabbing me back and reeling me into their embrace once more. This time both of their hands were rubbing small circles into my back, the motion relaxing me more than their words.
"I could become a monster," I breathed, closing my eyes as Blue continued their ministrations.
Yes, that is true. Their mental voice was contemplative, startling me with how serious Blue was considering this. But I think it unlikely, considering that you just had a breakdown over killing enemies sworn to slaughter us. I could tell Blue was trying to be funny, but it only reminded me of what I had done.
Soon they were back to soothingly rubbing circles in my back, letting out small purrs as I held them right back.
…
The morning came with a blaring alarm, and the sound of shouting over the alarm. I sat bolt upright, reaching for Blue's comforting presence. Without having to think on it, we fused, standing to our full height.
I hesitated, confusion slipping through our combined minds. Why are so few people panicking? The answer hit me and I wanted to growl, the sound almost making its way out of my throat before I forced it back down. It’s a drill. None of this is real. I almost turned around and went back to bed, but Blue was prodding me, insistent that I go see what was going on.
In the hallway we found myself instantly lost, so I latched onto the feeling of King Alfor, and his royal advisor, Coran, who seemed completely calm. Making our way through the maze of hallways, we ran into a panicking Pidge and Green, unfused.
Pidge's eyes widened as they took in our fused form, immediately reaching out to Green, presumably to do the same thing.
We held out a staying hand, shaking our head. "It's just a drill, no need to panic." We tried to reassure them, but the two fused anyway. Shrugging, we continued on our way.
The Green Lion trailed after us, anxiously looking around as others hurried this way and that. With how alien the Alteans felt, it was hard to really discern who was actually panicked, and who was just rushing about to keep up the façade.
Either way we didn't really appreciate it. With our mind, I reached out, brushing against the other humans on the ship, sending a calming pulse, and then a tethering one, drawing them to us.
Soon everyone was here, and fused to their respective Lions. Shiro looked shaken, even while fused, and I winced. The guy had been imprisoned for a year by hostile aliens, of course an alarm like this, saying the Galra were attacking, wasn't in good taste.
Finally we made it to the chamber where Alfor, Coran, and Allura stood. Allura looked impatient, while the men looked only mildly irritated.
"That took longer than we thought," Coran remarked, twirling one end of his orange moustache.
"That's because Lance realized it was a drill and told the rest of us," The Green Lion spoke, folding their four arms across their chest.
Allura was glaring now, and she stepped forward. "That's cheating, this was an exercise to see how fast everyone could mobilize. This way we know our response time to any Galra attacks."
We waved her off. "We can tell when it's an emergency or not Princess, don't worry." Our words seemed to only anger her more, and Blue drew us back, twisting our expression to contrition. I wanted to swat against them, annoyed at this bratty Princess. She isn't the boss of us! I hissed, twisting our face back into a glare.
Technically… she is. I balked at Blue's response, crossing our arms. Everyone was staring, and a few people were even trying to speak with me, but I ignored them, turning my attention inward.
Explain. I demanded, weary. So many things left out from this bargain. I hate having to play catch up. Can't you just tell me things so they won't be such a shock? Blue was contrite, bowing their head in shame.
Forgive me, it has been millennia since I last had a bond, and longer still since I had contact with a species so young as humanity. They sighed in our mind, colors and images beginning to swirl into existence, some of them too complex for me to fully understand. Alteans were the ones that we first bonded to, first made a contract with. They hold a special place in our hearts. Ever since, their royal family has had a form of special bond with us as a whole. Usually we choose at least one to bond with each cycle, but in rare cases where we do not, they hold sway still.
Internally I groaned, resigned to listening to her. At least she's pretty.
"--in the future okay? This will help us tune our instruments and strategize." King Alfor was finishing explaining something to us, keeping calm. Everyone was nodding, so I pretended we had been paying attention as well.
“I’m not sorry for calming panic, but I am sorry for ruining the exercise.” We apologized, arms still crossed. Allura was frowning at us, but sighed, turning away.
“Very well, now we can beginning with your training.”
…
Ugh, why is this so difficult? I whined to myself, skin slick with sweat. The Lions were watching from a distance as the rest of us humans were run through different drills. King Alfor had insisted we do this to establish a baseline, to see what we would have to compensate for, etc. Didn’t make things less annoying.
I was trying to grapple with an Altean, but it was just not happening, like, at all. Any kind of close combat, and I was fucked. Too preoccupied with their flow, instead of being able to use that knowledge to help myself like say, predicting where they’re going to move, all it was, was swarming colors. Too vague to make anything out.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fire had handedly defeated his opponent, but only after setting himself on fire. Hunk wasn’t doing too much better than me in terms of coordination, but he still had strength and bulk that I didn’t.
Shiro was watching all of us, having demonstrated first. It was frightening to watch him take down his opponent. Almost as though he had lost himself. I had found myself wondering exactly what had happened to him when he had disappeared, but… maybe it was better if none of us knew.
Pidge stood off to the side, discussing something with the King’s advisor, Coran. He seemed like a really weird guy, but in that ‘crazy uncle’ definition. Unpredictable, but lovable.
With a grunt, my partner threw me to the ground, the air rushing from my lungs in a quiet ‘oof’.
“Lance! Quit day-dreaming, I know you can fight better than this!” Shiro called, arms crossed.
Gritting my teeth, I stood back up. Settling into a fighting stance, I tried to focus myself, focus my powers. The Altean was a young man. Maybe young, all of these aliens seemed kind of ageless— focus! He was moving in with a jab, which I was only just able to dodge.
Retreating, I reached out to feel his flow, trying to get a sense of him. I could stop him, freeze him in place at any moment, but that felt like cheating. Sure everyone else had used their empowerment, but mine was so… final, absolute. It was best to get basics down, get some reflexes that could buy me precious time if I was ever taken off-guard and couldn’t freeze them in time.
The man came at me again, following my dodges with more jabs, frowning heavily. Thankfully he didn’t try to give me any tips.
“You have to actually attack back, Lance, please.” Shiro sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Grunting with effort, I dodged another jab. How am I supposed to end this without grabbing his flow? He’s clearly had training while I’ve had very little! We weren’t to the stage yet at the Garrison! I tried to make a jab of my own, but the man just rolled his eyes, grabbing my arm and slamming me onto the floor again.
Wheezing, I jumped right back up, a snarl curling my lips. Enough of this. Seizing his flow, I flung him across the room.
“There? Are you guys happy? I defeated my opponent!” I continued to snarl, breathing heavily. Eyes darting to meet Blue’s, I caught their expression of sadness and worry.
Coran had gone to the fallen Altean, making sure they were okay. Shiro had his arms crossed, and shook his head when I looked over to him.
Throwing up my hands in defeat, I stalked from the room, ignoring anything else said to me. I didn’t need this. I didn’t sign up for this.
Blue followed me out, not saying anything. Strangely enough, and thankfully, I didn’t sense any disappointment from them.
Our room was too empty, too bare. I left the castle, walking to the surrounding lands, a forest not too far away. Once inside the trees, I reached back for Blue. Wordlessly, we fused, and I felt like I could breathe again. The soothing calm that Blue constantly radiated was a balm on my frayed nerves.
I know you did not mean to lose your temper. Please understand they push because they must. They whispered to me, giving a mental hug. Their words were reassuring, and the surge of guilt I expected to feel, did not come.
The two of us continued to wander, eventually drawn to a quaint stream. I took off our shoes, and sat down, putting our feet in the water. It felt cool, and helped to soothe me as nothing else seemed to be able to do.
“What does my family think?” I asked aloud, our voice ringing softly.
Blue’s deep sadness didn’t make me feel better. They felt with a depth only rivaled by Earth’s oceans; tears began to prick at our eyes.
“They must think I disappeared like Shiro did. That… that I was killed. Yvette was getting married soon… and the twins have started to pursue a girl… baby Marie said her first words… I’ve already had to deal with missing all of this stuff in person but now… I don’t even get my mom’s phone calls.” As I spoke, our voice became thick with emotion, and tears won the battle, trailing down our face.
My Chosen… my heart breaks for you. I will do everything in my power to ensure you make it back to your family. They promised quietly, warmth rushing around me.
“Thank you,” I murmured, curling in on ourself.
…
No one stopped us as we re-entered the castle. Sighing in gratitude, I reached out, locating my friends and following a trail there.
As I got closer, I found that Hunk wasn’t with everyone else, so changing course, I went to find him.
He was inside a kitchen, marveling as a pretty Altean lady showed him how she cooked. They were both smiling, and Hunk was stirring something in a bowl. Yellow was sitting back, relaxing, watching the two of them.
We joined him, giving only a nod in greeting so as not to disturb the chef’s at their work. It was peaceful, relaxing against the wall, observing as Hunk smiled as he only did in his element, flow sparking with delight.
He's always loved cooking, ever since we first met. He even taught me a few things. I thought idly, watching Hunk as he tried different foods, trying to equate them with foods from Earth. It was adorable really, watching Hunk doing something so normal, like everything was fine, I was just dreaming the horrors of war I could feel pressing in on my very soul.
The distraction lasted for long enough, I followed Yellow and Hunk as the food was moved into a dining area and we were motioned to follow. The room wasn't very big, only seating about eight people.
The rest of the team came in, each one already fused with their lion, along with Princess Allura, King Alfor, and Coran. Yellow and I helped to set the table, Hunk having fused with them upon seeing everyone else. Interestingly, he didn't seem to be the only one that wasn't very comfortable being bonded to another being. I could sense Shiro and Keith's discomfort with the situation, shifting in their seats as they waited to begin the meal.
Shrugging ourselves, we dug in. Instantly, I recoiled from the taste, jerking back from the hand that had brought another bite to our face.
"What in the fuck is this?" I gasped, mentally swatting at Blue as they chuckled in the back of my mind. On our spoon was some kind of green sludge, and it tasted like the green goo that had transformed the Ninja Turtles. Grimacing, we put down the spoon, raising an eyebrow at the others.
Green was grimacing too, but continued to eat anyway, while the others had also put down their spoons. Minus the Alteans.
Coran looked particularly miffed, frowning heavily down at the goo, before taking a bite himself. Turning to look at us, he opened his mouth and said the craziest thing ever.
"I'm not sure what you mean Blue, the food goo tastes the same as ever."
Now with both brows raised, we looked for support amongst our team. Yellow looked as green as the goo, having pushed their plate away.
"What happened to the food you were making in the kitchens?" We asked, watching as Yellow shook their head.
"I don't know, I thought I made it right? But one of the chefs said they had to put it through a processor? Is this what happens to the raw ingredients?" Yellow blanched, looking to the doors of the kitchens as if planning to make a break for it.
Princess Allura sniffed haughtily, "If the most nutritious food in the galaxy isn't good enough for you, then you can go and pick your own." She suggested, taking a dainty bite of her own goo. Her flow darkened with disgust, and we turned our stare to her, eyebrows still raised in question.
"Sounds good to me." We shrugged, standing up from the table. "Wanna come Yellow? Blue and I found this nice stream earlier today. We might be able to catch some fish and eat that."
Yellow's shoulders sagged, "Yes please." They stood as well, following us from the dining room, much to the humorous sputters coming from the princess.
You really dislike her, don't you? Blue mused, chuckling. I sighed, rolling my eyes.
She doesn't need to act like she's better than everyone. It's her attitude I can't stand. She's pretty enough to look at. Grumbling, we lead the way.
Yellow and Hunk unfused, Hunk hurrying ahead to match our long strides while Yellow brought up the rear.
"I'm glad it wasn't just me that wanted to get out of there. No offense guys, but I'm not totally comfortable sharing my body all the time." Hunk shrugged, rubbing at his arms as if to affirm for himself that was his own body, and his own hands.
"You humans are so interesting, so caught up in being individuals. That must be how the gifted of your race must feel as well, wholly individual. No matter that the probability of that is quite small," Blue spoke from our mouth, the amused curl of our lips telling both Hunk and myself the comment was meant with love.
"Well, anyway, let's just get some food, I'm starving." Hunk mumbled, glancing back and forth between Blue and the yellow lion.
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