Chapter Text
He knew he was a better up-close fighter than Lance. That’s just how it’s always been. He knew that they had both taken their fair share of blows during the battle. He knew he himself wouldn’t be able to take down the tall, purple soldier in his current state, so why would Lance be able to? He knew that he had better chances than Lance, even if his own chances were slim.
For the first time in quite a while, Keith froze with fear. Why did he feel this way? What about the scene caused his heart to skip a beat and his eyes widen as much as they did? He’s saved his friends multiple times without any hesitation or fear, so what made this so different? He shook his head as he quickly snapped out of it, activating his bayard. He let out what seemed to be a battle cry, possibly just a yelp due to the sharp pain in his legs, as he broke into a run towards the Galran and paladin.
If his legs weren’t already screaming at him to stop, to rest, to take a break, the running just made the aching so much worse. He bit his lower lip as the pain momentarily distracted him from the task at hand, getting Lance to safety. No. No! I need to focus. Focus on saving Lance. Focus on your bayard. Focus on the Galran’s fighting style. Does he have any visible weaknesses? Injuries?
His thoughts were interrupted as the soldier held up his bat-like weapon, clearly ready to bludgeon Lance with it. Lance, in Keith’s eyes, looked frozen with fear, his grip on his bayard weakening as the bat came down on him, knocking him unconscious in just one hit to the head.
“Lance!!” Keith cried, skidding to a halt between him and the Galran. He looked at the purple warrior, then quickly turning and scooping Lance into his arms. In only a second, he was sprinting away while adjusting Lance in his arms. Looking over his shoulder, he instantly noticed that, despite his size and strength, he was easily able to outrun the soldier. Huh he thought, smirking to himself how slow do you have to be to be slower than me? While I hold a whole human and my body screams at me to stop with every move I make, I’m still faster!
He ran down the hall as he prepared to speak, hoping his friends weren’t too busy fighting to get him and Lance help. “Guys! I, I,” he was already panting pretty hard despite the fact that he hadn’t even traveled that far. I guess that’s just what happens when you lose energy in multiple fights before having to run. “It’s Lance. He’s unconscious. We’re being chased.. I need help getting him to safety!” He listened carefully to the comms as he ran, but quickly realized he wasn’t getting a response, as everyone was much too busy dealing with their own battle-related problems.
“Quiznak! I’m sorry.. I’m so sorry Lance” he spoke, even though he knew the blue paladin couldn’t hear him. He rounded the corner of the hallway and gingerly set Lance down when he knew the new hall was clear. He went back around the corner to face the Galran, his bayard in hand. After all, what other choice did he have? He had lost the energy required to keep running, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to put up a fight.
The soldier chuckled. “Are you my new opponent, red paladin? Keith Kogane?” Keith shuddered at the use of his full name, the hairs on the back of his neck sticking up.
“You know I am” he smirked, activating his bayard and gathering some of his remaining strength to sprint at the Galran.
As their fight began, he distantly heard Pidge and Shiro trying to reach him on the comms, now free enough to assist in getting Lance to safety. However, he had much worse to worry about. He had to at least TRY to defeat this opponent, even if he was sure this wasn’t possible in his exhausted condition. He drowned out the sounds of their calls, instead listening to his grunts of effort as he spent the rest of his energy fighting.
Regardless of the soldier’s slow speeds, he was still much bigger and stronger than Keith. He was able to easily grab Keith’s neck and lift him up with one hand, his other still squeezing his bat.
“No!” Keith wheezed, using one hand to try to pry the hand on his neck away. He spit, kicked, and swung his sword around aimlessly, doing whatever he had the power to in order to be set free.
The Galran ripped Keith’s helmet off and slammed him into the wall. He then did it again.
And again.
And again.
Keith looked down the hall, only able to see Lance’s right shoe from around the corner. In a moment of weakness as he felt his own consciousness slip away, black spots dancing across his vision, he weakly called out, “Lance.. please..” With one last slam into the wall, Keith Kogane’s mind went blank and his body unceremoniously went limp as he passed out.
~~~~
Hunk was there to catch his best bud, Lance, when he fell out of the pod. Although a bit confused, Lance looked up and smiled at his friend. “Did ya miss me? Huhh?? Huh??” he teased, playfully punching Hunk’s shoulder.
Hunk smiled weakly. “Yeah.. yeah, I missed you Lance.. missed you a lot.” Lance looked over Hunk’s shoulder to see the other paladins, along with Allura and Coran. He stood straight, grinning as he let go of Hunk to greet them.
“Hey!! Guyssss!!” his smile grew as he looked at all of them, but quickly realized something was off. Someone was… missing. “Hmm.. Hunk, Shiro, Pidge, Princess, Coran..,” he paused, “where’s Keith? Did his temper get the best of him? Was he too grumpy to come meet me?” He laughed, but it turned into an awkward chuckle as he realized no one was laughing with him. He looked at Hunk, his eyes starting to widen. “Keith.. Keith’s here, isn’t he? Maybe just.. taking a nap..? Or something?”
Hunk stared at Lance for a while, frowning with watering eyes. “Keith went M.I.A, Lance. He’s missing.”
..
…..
“What.”
“Now, Lance,” Shiro started.
“No. That can’t be true. How long has he been gone. Do you have any idea where he is? Any plans to save him?” Lance asked in disbelief.
Shiro cleared his throat before continuing. “You were in the pod for three quintants. That’s also how long Keith has been missing. We’re trying to relocate the ship we fought on, as that’s where we’re assuming he is located. Once the ship is found, we will infiltrate and bring Keith home. Do you understand, Lance?”
“Yes.. I.. I understand.” Lance nodded. “Oh, I can’t believe this. Well, I can believe it. Who else would sacrifice himself for someone else that easily?” he chuckled softly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m just gonna.. hit the hay. I have some thinking to do.”
“Well, the rest of us were planning on relaxing a little, spending some time trying to find the ship.. preparing to get him back.” Pidge says, watching Lance closely. “Just thought you should know. Feel free to join us” she offers, the others nodding in agreement.
“Sounds great, Pidge. Maybe I’ll join later.” Lance responds. Without another word, he goes to his room.
The tears start flowing as soon as the door closes. How could he get captured trying to save ME? I’m the one with the gun, for goodness sakes! Maybe if I didn’t freeze, he wouldn’t have to save me. He wouldn’t be gone. He would be here. With me. he thought while changing into a sleep shirt and shorts, not caring about getting ready for his “beauty sleep” tonight. He just needed to rest. To think.
Why did he do that? Why does he care? Why do I care? Do I care? How long have I cared? Have I ever cared?
He picked up a photo taken a few months ago from his nightstand.
The picture was taken by Pidge during Keith’s birthday dinner. That morning, he hadn’t asked for much, so they respected his wishes and… threw him a giant party. Lance recalled having dinner right before they had cake. He remembered chatting with Keith while everyone else ate. What they were talking about? He had no clue. He also remembered hearing the faint click when Pidge took the picture. The smile on Keith’s face as he looked into Lance’s eyes. The smile that faded after the click. The way his mullet flipped as he whipped his head to the side to look at Pidge. He hadn’t seen that smile since. That beautiful smile. Oh, how he missed that smile. And, oh, how he was worried he would never see it again.
Lost in thought, Lance failed to notice how hot and red his cheeks were getting. Until he did.
Even though no one was there to see it, he almost immediately covered his blush. Me? Blushing? Over Keith Kogane? No way. Not me. Nuh uh. He’s my RIVAL. I can’t be.. drooling over a picture of him.