Chapter Text
“I’m calling it now, this is a bad idea.”
Allura and Coran had eagerly rounded up the Paladins just minutes ago, going on about a new bonding technique. Allura had explained, announcing the manipulative effects of the clear, sparkling liquid on the table before them. Coran held the aqueous material in a crystal pitcher, now pouring out small portions into five cups.
“No, no!” exclaimed Allura, Coran passing each Paladin a filled cup as the princess waved her hands. “Not in the slightest, Hunk. I promise, this amount of serum will only force you to say one truth.”
“How exactly is this going to ‘help’ us?” Pidge remarked, giving Allura a dubious look.
Allura smile reappeared. “Each of you must tell another one thing you admire about them.”
“And if we have nothing nice to say?” Pidge cut in again, her arms crossing over her chest. Allura’s smile tightened, but didn’t falter. Before she could reply, Shiro placed a decisive hand on Pidge’s shoulder, returning the princess’s smile.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” he stated. His tone had been overtaken by his fatherly side, to which Pidge only sighed. The rest of the Paladins knew it was fruitless to try to argue; Shiro was impossible when he was in dad mode. As to prove his point, Shiro took his drink, throwing it back with ease.
“Okay, fine,” Pidge sighed, giving in and taking her glass. “One thing though—are there any side effects we should know about?” Allura frowned, her head turning to look at Coran. He too wore a similar distressing expression.
“Well,” Coran started, “it’s nothing for you to worry about!” At seeing the Pidge’s sour expression, he went on. “In large amounts, it does cause a wee immediate death—but don’t panic! We made sure to give you each a tiny, diluted mixture.” Despite Coran’s reassurances, the atmosphere turned tense.
“Oh—“ Shiro broke the silence, looking down at his empty cup. “In that case, how much do I need to drink for a lethal dose?”
Pidge snickered, but Keith loathed the jokes. Shiro was an important member of this team, and his constant disappearing wasn’t doing good for Keith’s health. “Shiro, no,” Keith berated under his breath, shaking his head. Allura and Coran just passed each other looks once more, this time sharing confused gestures. Keith didn’t blame them, humans were weird. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise that their habits would be just as strange.
Keith stared down at his drink, gently swishing it around. The bubbles seemed to multiply at the motion, and his curiosity stole the better of him. He looked over at the others; Hunk was sniffing the liquid, while Pidge glared at the drink, and Lance…
Lance had already finished his.
“It’s sweet,” Lance commented, his features morphing with peculiar interest.
Keith decided to take his chances. Bringing the solution up to his lips, he took a hesitant sip. Lance, against all odds, had been telling the truth. The liquid acted like syrup, clumped together and flowing like molasses—though molasses wasn’t quite as sweet. The taste was slightly addicting, and Keith found himself chugging down the rest. By the time he returned the drink to the table, Hunk and Pidge had joined him.
“Okay, well, feel free to give a compliment now.” Allura implored. “The tonic acts instantly on entrance of the body.”
Shiro nodded in compliance, moving to face Pidge. She rose a brow. “I greatly value your intelligence and technical aptitude.”
Pidge snorted. “Seriously? Even your compliments have sticks shoved up their asses.” Shiro’s gasp, howbeit quiet, remained heard by everyone.
“Language!”
Keith heard Hunk and Lance crack up, attempting to hide their laughter and failing horribly. The overly amused giggles pinged a thought at Keith. Can we get drunk off this?
“And you wonder why we call you Space Dad,” Pidge added, smirking. She didn’t stay under Shiro’s glare long, slinking off to lie on the couch.
“Don’t try to get out of this, Katie!” Shiro reprimanded. Keith watched Pidge flinch, her real name used when Shiro needed to be heard. “We’re in the middle of a training session, you can’t opt out.” Pidge just shrugged.
“Actually,” Allura chimed to an exasperated Shiro, “that technically counts as her truth. The first words to leave your mouth after ingesting the drink are always guaranteed true. After that I cannot ensure anything.”
Shiro sighed, this time turning to the laughing duo to this left. Hunk noticed instantly, clearing his throat in a weak attempt to conceal his last chuckle. “You’re a great leader, Shiro.” An unexpected flash of mischief crossed Hunk’s eyes, and he added, “Even when you’re flirting with Allura.”
Lance kept laughing without shame, and Keith couldn’t help but grin at seeing their leader blush. It started out as a joke, pairing the two of them together. However with time, though subtle at first, the rest of the team began to notice the two’s connection. If Keith was honest, he was envious of their relationship. He could only dream of being so lucky.
Keith turned to look at Lance, who had just regained his fragile self-control. The sentence left him before he could halt himself. “You know, Lance, when you’re not being a complete jerk, you’re actually pretty likable.” Lance’s remnants of laughter had ceased entirely, his gaze snapping over to connect with Keith’s. His intense blue eyes had gone wide, and Keith felt the knot of panic inside him tighten. It wasn’t long after that the rest of the crew joined in on the staring.
Hands clapping together were his saving grace, and he gratefully turned away to look at Allura, whose hands were now clasped together in glee. “See, this was a wonderful idea!” Keith didn’t dare look back at Lance. He could feel those sharp blue eyes on him anywhere.
“I think…” Lance said, his voice higher than normal. Keith didn’t want to look, he really didn’t, but hearing what Lance said trumped his distress. “Keith is an idiot.” His anxiety plummeted, compressing into a heavy ball of predictable disappointment. Lance hated him, and even though he knew it would never change, Keith kept on hoping it would.
He’s right, I am an idiot.
“Thanks,” Keith shot back, his look hardening into glare. He didn’t need this, so he turned to face a shocked Allura. “Coming here just to be insulted when we could spend our time prepping to fight the Galra. Really, thanks.” He didn’t wait for a response, he just left.
—
It took an hour for each of them to start noticing something was off.
Pidge realized first, her snide, insulting comments no longer coming out the way she wanted. She lost her gall, and she was not standing for it. Hunk was with her, working on the lions, when it hit her.
“The serum.”
Aftering explaining her rough idea, Hunk was inclined to agree. Together, they had gone to confront Allura. The second group meeting was called soon after.
“Wh—you said it wouldn’t last!” Lance shrieked. “One comment, that’s it!”
“How long is it going it last?” Shiro asked, a question Pidge could appreciate. He was thinking ahead—thinking about how this would affect Voltron.
Allura grimaced. “I’m… I’m not sure.” Lance and Pidge broke out into full-out yelling, whether it be about what to do next or approximately how screwed they were, Hunk and Keith went pale, leaving Shiro as the only calm Paladin.
Coran’s voice loudly interrupted the chaos, the harsh tone so unfamiliar it stunned them all into silence. “Paladins! We could not have predicted the tonic working so differently on humans compared to Alteans. Now we cannot change this mistake, but we can figure out what’s happening, and see how long it’ll take for the effects to wear off.” No one had expected Coran to be the one who took control of the situation, much less come up with a plan in the middle of such a huge argument. It was surprising, but they were better off for it. This was just one of the many miracles they needed.
The princess grimace softened into a plain look, and she drew in a deep breath. “Okay, for now I need one of you to go into a pod for analysis overnight, and the rest of you need to get some rest. It’s been a long day, and you’ll need your energy for tomorrow.” No one argued after that, even Pidge felt exhausted.
Maybe that’s a side effect?”
“I’ll go.”
Pidge’s head whipped around as Keith stepped forward, an impassive air about him. It was a far cry from his normal brooding self. She didn’t know him long, she probably knew him the least compared to the others, but the one thing she did know was when Keith was upset. With him volunteering, Allura rushed the rest of them to bed.
Before Pidge obeyed, she waged a little bet with Hunk.
I’m about to win ten bucks.
—
Lance was hovering.
He knew he was doing it, at least, but he couldn’t stop. His feet had led him to the healing pods, where Keith had stayed overnight. It was early according to Earth time, and he barely winked before he was pushed towards the room.
Why am I even here?
Keith wasn’t hurt, and there was no reason to be freaking out as much as Lance was. He continued to pace the closed entrance, one hand stroking his chin. Keith was just taking a nap, essentially, which would help them figure out this whole truth serum business.
Truth serum.
That had to be the reason. Lance embraced his ability to talk non-stop, but even he had a limit. There were some moments where he needed to be alone with his thoughts, like when he was reminded of his family waiting back on Earth, or when he’s reminded of how useless he could be. Those fractions of time shut him down and at times he couldn’t muster the strength to fight back. He had to be the team’s farceur, otherwise he really was worthless. So if he had the option to hide that portion of himself and keep up the façade for the team, he was going to do it.
That’s why, he convinced himself. Not for Keith.
He stepped forward, the buds of restlessness blossoming internally and pressing against his skin. The automatic doors slid apart, a burst of chilling air being thrust at Lance as he moved inside. Lance was only a few feet in when he realized Keith’s pod was up, exposing a sleeping Keith. He wasn’t wearing the suit Lance had after he’d been injured, but remained in his own clothes. It made sense, considering Keith wasn’t near death or wearing damaged armor. Lance stopped in his tracks, noticing a petite figure sitting on the steps in front of the pod.
“Pidge?”
The girl turned around, bundled up on the floor in a blanket and her computer in her lap. Lance quickened his pace and dropped down to sit beside her, crossing his legs. Her bright screen shone dancing letters and numbers inputted in various equations Lance didn’t care to understand. Pidge’s hazel eyes squinted up at him, readjusting her glasses—with her middle finger, of course. It had become a routine way of greeting, and it happened so often he’d get nervous if she forgot.
“Of course it’s you,” she mumbled before turning back to her screen.
Lance had given up the futile attempt at stopping this new curse of his. At this point he only prayed no one would ask unwanted questions. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Pidge gave him an incredulous sideways glance. “In simple terms for you to understand? Keith. Healing pod. Truth serum,” she paused. “You’re panicking more than the others, and that’s why you’re here. You’re impatient and worried.”
“I am not,” rebuked Lance. “You’re right about the truth serum part, but it’s got nothing to do with Keith.” Albeit he was arguing against that fact, he felt his gaze drawn away from her and towards a particular annoying mullet.
From his peripheral, he could see Pidge roll her eyes. “Nothing to do with Keith, huh? Then tell me, why did you call him an idiot earlier?”
The answer rolled off his tongue, “Because he is.”
Pidge let out a short, displeased sound. “Thank you for being so specific. Feel free to elaborate anytime.” Her final statement hadn’t been a suggestion, as her tone implied she expected it more than hoped for it. Even so, Lance wasn’t budging. It wasn’t something she needed to know. He kept his eyes glued on Keith, frowning, even as Pidge went on.
“You up for a game?”
The edges of his frown deepened. “What?” His gaze once again tore away from the mullet, snapping to meet Pidge’s grin.
“Lance, truth or dare?”
A wave of hesitance struck Lance in the stomach, and he stared. She had to want him to choose dare, since she could make him tell the truth regardless of the game and its mechanics. Pidge wouldn’t play this game just to ask Lance a question, right?
“Truth.”
He was so wrong.
“If you had to date anyone on the team, who would you date?” Lance had been asked this question before, by Pidge specifically, and always changed his answer. Sometimes it was Hunk if he was feeling hungry, Allura if he was feeling particularly cocky, or even Shiro. The dude had killer abs. Despite his varying responses, he never answered truthfully, regardless of the game or the bets. This time was different, though. He didn’t miss a beat.
“Keith.”
His heart so kindly decided to skip a beat for him, causing the blood in his veins to lose their nerve and flush Lance’s cheeks. Pidge’s token smirk always meant something of amusement was going on, but it was never a good sign when it was directed at him.
“Oh?” she shuffled closer to Lance. “Strange, considering you’ve never used that as your response before. So then, tell me, how exactly does one like an idiot more than his best friend or some hot chick?”
Lance felt his shoulders lift defensively as if he was back in middle school, pretending to be a boxer and bracing for a hit. “I didn’t—Keith isn’t an idiot.”
Pidge rose a brow, the artificial light from her computer making her grin much more menacing than it should have been. “Why’d you call him one then? You were telling the truth, like we all have for the past twenty-four hours, so did he do something to piss you off?”
“Yeah?” muttered Lance, looking up at an unconscious Keith. He never really thought about Keith, or rather he shoved any thought that reared its head as far away as he could. “God, Pidge, I don’t know, okay? I just—I’m tired and I wanna know how long this thing is going to last so I can hopefully sleep through it.”
An almost noiseless chuckle left the girl beside him. “Day one and you’re already having a panic attack.”
The opening of the doors behind them drew their attention back. Their heads turned in unison to see Allura with Shiro and Hunk by her side, mild surprise pressing against their features. Lance felt himself tense as the princess spoke.
“Did you get any sleep whatsoever?” Lance and Pidge shared a quick glance, then looked back at Allura to nod. She sighed, shaking her head and strolled over to Keith’s pod, her hands moving across the screens with practiced elegance. Her eyes narrowed at the signals. “Pidge, you were indeed correct. The effects of the serum last longer.”
“How much longer?” Shiro inquired, stepping between Lance and the pod. Something twisted inside him, and he scooted to the side. I should get to see him too.
Allura frowned, staring at the bizarre symbols cluttering the blue screen. “You’re not going to like this but… around a week.” Pidge groaned into her blanket, sinking deeper into it, and Hunk just sighed. Lance couldn’t understand such plain reactions while he couldn’t breathe. That long telling the truth? He was going to slip up for sure.
“Paladins,” Shiro warned, his tone harsh. “We can handle a week. It could be worse. As long as we don’t say anything we regret,” he looked down at Lance, and Lance gave him his most offended look in return. “We’ll survive.”
“I’m releasing Keith, please give him some space,” Allura commanded with a press of the button. The pod hissed open, and the sudden reappearance of those dark eyes stole Lance’s breath. He stumbled forward, straight into Shiro’s arms. Lance grit his teeth at the sight.
“Wh-Allura,” Keith moved away from Shiro, regaining his balance. “What are the results?”
“One week,” she nodded. Lance took in Keith’s immediate, horrified expression. He huffed, rolling his eyes as he looked away. What could he possibly be worried about? Allura didn’t seem to notice; her back was already turned, returning the empty healing pod back into the ground. “I must attend to other issues in the castle. Good luck Paladins.”
The princess left the room, leaving the five of them alone. No one knew how to continue the day, even Shiro was standing in quiet thought. Lance’s gaze left the abandoned area Allura had been mere moments ago, stopping at Keith. He almost choked; Keith was staring right at him, and he did not look perky.
“Keith, you’re just in time,” Pidge told him. “All of you are, in fact.” Keith’s heart-stopping stare hovered before leaving Lance, turning to eye Pidge.
“For what?”
“We’re playing truth or dare,” she explained, her grin resurfacing. Shiro gave her a look, and she threw her hands up in the air. “Hey! It’d be a good way to bond.” Keith flinched from the corner of Lance’s eye.
Their team leader didn’t respond at first, then sighed. “Pidge is right, this could be a helpful team exercise—but no one can ask inappropriate questions.”
“Okay!” hummed Pidge, her eyes narrowing in amusement. “Me first. Shiro, truth or dare?” In that moment, Shiro seriously underestimated her, his answer telling it all. Either that or Shiro really did have a death wish.
“Dare.”
“Finally,” let out Pidge. “Okay, I dare you to go ask out Allura.”
Giggles and horribly concealed laughter broke out as bright pink flushed Shiro’s cheeks, and he twisted his head to look at the door Allura had left through. Checking to make sure the coast was clear, he turned back to Pidge. “Pidge,” wheezed Shiro. “That—I’m not—I’m leaving.” Pidge was on the floor now, laughing louder than the rest of them.
Maybe this wouldn’t be such a bad week after all.
—
This was going to be a horrible week.
Keith had a tense wave of anxiety wash over him when he stepped out of the pod. It wasn’t the atmosphere, which had significantly lightened after Pidge started her game. The Paladins—minus Shiro, who had gone to ‘help the princess with battle plans’—sat together in a small circle. They asked each other weird, random questions or dared the other to do ridiculous and simple tasks.
“Hunk, truth or dare?” Lance asked, giving him a suggestive look.
“Uh… dare?”
Lance sighed, bringing on the dramatics. “Hunk… you were supposed to say truth.” Hunk raised an eyebrow.
“I picked dare.”
Lance gave another sigh, heftier this time. “Fine. I dare you to tell me the truth.” Hunk’s hands shot out in an exasperated gesture.
“No, Lance, that’s—“
Lance grinned, pushing himself closer into the circle. “Do you like Shay?” Hunk blushed, his annoyed look becoming an awkward, sheepish smile. He gave a weak laugh.
“W-well, yeah… she’s really nice…”
Lance shoved Hunk in the shoulder, his smile bright and supportive. Keith wished Lance didn’t hate him so fervently. Lance’s smiles could change the air of an entire room, and Keith couldn’t understand why no one else admired him as much as Keith did. He knew he’d never be on the receiving end of one of Lance’s smiles, but that was okay. Keith could watch from a distance.
“Dude, ask her out!” Hunk shuffled in place, his smile gradually growing at the encouragement.
Keith’s attention was drawn away when something nudged his side. Pidge had poked him, and when he faced her, he understood where his apprehension came from. She wasn’t smirking, but there was a clear shiftiness behind those glasses.
“Keith, truth or dare?” she challenged.
He shot her a confused look, unsure of her angle was or why she was the origin of his anxiety. What he did know, however, was that he didn’t want to give Pidge the ability to force his hand. He knew what Pidge was capable of, and there was no way he’d give her that power over him.
“Truth.”
That expected grin finally broke free, making Keith’s confusion inflame. Why would she want me to pick truth? Keith had to tell the truth for the next week, she could ask him anything and know he was being honest. What’s so important about her asking right now?
“Would you date Lance?”
Keith’s heart caught in his throat. He couldn’t breathe. The cognizance of his surroundings were strengthened, and he was acutely aware of the compressing force of all eyes on him. He desperately hoped that force excluded a certain pair of ocean blue eyes.
He spoke without missing a beat, responding so rapidly he didn’t get the chance to attempt to stop himself. “Duh.”
His body had become home to a flash-fire, blitzing upwards until hitting his face and flaming his cheeks. The warmth rose to smoldering temperatures in an instant, and Keith was engulfed by his own embarrassment. He wanted nothing more than to be abandoned by his body and pretend this never happened.
Pidge’s glee had only grown with Keith’s divulgence, looking to the side at someone Keith couldn’t see. He couldn’t help it—he followed her gaze. Keith would have felt relieved to know she had been glancing over at Hunk, but his next revelation threw any hope of respite out the airlock.
Lance was gawking at him.
The floor gave way then, not to swallow Keith up but rather to laugh at his Freudian slip. Hunk had never been more right, this was the worst possible idea that their team had carried out—which was saying something. Though the ground refused to take him in, Lance’s eyes did it instead, and Keith found himself drowning in blue.
Oh no.