Unlock This Fanfiction: It's Not Personal (It Isn't)
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It's Not Personal (It Isn't)
Summary:
“I wish to see you prove to me, Black Paladin Keith, half-Galran, if you are what Voltron has proclaimed itself to be,” the king spoke. “You will remain here and join in our alliance discussions. However, out of respect to my queen and my people, I must insist that you are cleansed of your Galran stench that reeks of death and darkness.”
Or; A budding Voltron alliance goes sideways when the aliens take literal offense to Keith’s presence. Keith agrees to their request of a bath in the best attempt to smooth things over, but embarrassment turns to shame when he’s treated as something instead of someone and now the heritage he’s still trying to come to terms with is forcibly on display for all to see.
Story Snippet:
A prickle went down Keith’s back as this…
This didn’t look like it led to guest quarters or a bathroom.
And he was proven somewhat correct as the Ekacnap opened a creaking door into a dark room that was lit by only a high window and the faint outline of a large, almost barn-style door on the far wall, and while there was a large, tiled floor and equally tiled walls that indicated a shower, it was the entire room and while Keith had heard of some insanely stupid luxury bathrooms this one seemed to be lacking in fancy waterspouts or decor or anything else that would make it so.
In fact, the only water spout Keith could see appeared to be hooked up to what looked like a hose.
Rettub beelined for a set of cubbies next to the door and emerged carrying a coarse looking washcloth, an equally rough towel (large enough for an Ekacnap but still too small for even Pidge let alone Keith) and a large jug of an indistinguishable colored liquid in the dim lighting that Keith could only assume was some sort of soap.
But—
“This is where we bathe our steeds,” Rettub sneered, setting the items down on an empty cubby shelf at Keith’s waist-height, “and a fitting place for your filth to be cleansed.”
The heat that time crept down the back of Keith’s neck too even as something far colder twisted in his stomach and he wondered if this was what the king had had in mind.
He couldn’t find the words to ask.
Despite now being an adult, a leader of Voltron, he felt as small and helpless as he had as an unwanted kid in the foster system and in a way almost worse as if he complained or said something it wasn’t just a beating or punishment awaiting him, all of Voltron would become involved and this alliance was important and as he’d kept chanting at himself, it wasn’t personal.
It wasn’t.
“Wash everything,” the servant ordered, eyes raking Keith up and down and Keith found his lowering, “and do not miss a spot. I will return shortly.”
A moment later the alien was gone, inner hall door closing behind him with a resounding thud and leaving Keith straining into the low light that he knew he could only see as well as he could because of his Galran half.
He bit his lip and squeezed both his fists and his eyes shut.
No…
No crying.
This was fine.
