Klance :: Not So Different

Space

The red paladin was shaking, head lowered. He looked up, teeth bared as he glared so harshly at Lance. "I hate you!" He smacked his plate aside and stormed out.

Lance glanced down clenching his teeth.

"Lance," Pidge murmured, standing up. "I'm sorry, I thought-"

"Pidge." Lance looked back up and forced a toothy grin. Pidge flinched, her hands over her chest. "I'm okay. He just needs space, like you said." All stayed silent as they watched Lance fix his chair and sit back down to eat.

~

Lance quickly landed blue and made sure to land especially far from Keith. He pulled out his bayard and snuck towards the nearby village. "Shiro, I'm going to start evacuating the people."

"Good," Shiro responded. "Shay, Ceila and Matt are almost down with the rescue pods."

"Matt better not get stupid and run out here," Pidge grumbled as she darted into the forest of blue and yellow trees. "He's been itching for action."

Shiro chuckled over the comm. "Focus on the mission, Pidge. If Matt leaves the pod, I'll be sure to give it to him. I'll hold fire back here. Hunk, follow Pidge and keep her back. Lance, stay in the village to make sure all civilians are evacuated before battle. Keith, you keep an eye for company."

"Yes sir." Everyone rushed off to follow Shiro's orders.

~

Keith knew that this was ambush. It had to be. Just as they were passing the planet, the distress beacon went off. He dodged into a building and ushered the small aliens out before heading to the roof. Keith searched around, watching for Galrans, but he paused when he spotted a certain man.

Lance guided a group of small Bullisians out into the small thick of trees and to the rescue pods. One child Bullisian clung to Lance's leg, so the kind paladin scooped them up and cradled them in his arms until they reached the trees.

"That's all of them," Lance told Shiro over the comm link.

Shiro hummed. "Thank you, Lance. Search the ground for any signs of Galra. Keith, you too. Pidge and Hunk are on the outskirts. Once all the Bullisians are on rescue pods, I'll head in myself."

"Copy that." Lance responded and jogged back into the pink and grey streets.

Keith sighed and climbed down the side of the building. He heard Pidge groan over the comm.

"Damnit, guys! Hunk and I just ran into-literally-a bunch of Galra ships. They're hiding somewhere." While Pidge spoke, Hunk counted the ships. "I'd suggest being with someone, or at least close-by."

Keith cursed under his breath, immediately seeing what Pidge was trying to do. No way in hell was he going to be anywhere near that ass. "Thanks for the advice, Pidge," Keith muttered, slinking along the side of a sandy colored building. "However, that's not needed. I got plenty of cover with all these buildings."

Shiro sighed heavily. "Keith..." He murmured, but didn't say more.

Lance stayed silent. Good riddance.

Keith dashed across the road to duck behind another building and cursed when shots rang out. He peeked around the corner. "I got three sentries."

"Engage." Shiro commanded as he darted into the forest. "If they're in small groups, engage."

Keith nodded and bolted around the building. He came up behind the machines, stabbing one through its back. Keith jerked his blade and blocked a blast. He jabbed forward, then arched his blade. He stood straight and shook his shoulders. "Three down."

"Good job. Keep hiding."

~

Keith panted heavily, crouching in the middle of a Galran circle made up of sentries and living Galran soldiers. "Shiro, I'm caught..."

"We're on our way!"

Keith gripped his blade and glared at the spears some Galra held. He sneered at them, his ears flattened.

Three of the Galra raised their spears and a few sentries held up their blasters. Keith growled at them, raising his shield and bayard.

The Galra raised their spears above their heads, prepared to throw. The sentries held their fingers to the triggers.

Keith lowered his head and closed his eyes.

"Keith!"

Blasts sounded and spears sailed through the air, directly towards Keith in a threatening path.

Keith didn't feel a thing when two spears hit a mark or when the other one shattered a shield. He didn't feel it as blasters shot with the intent to kill as they hit.

It was quick.

It was painless.

...

He was still breathing.

Nothing reached him.

Keith opened his eyes.

A trembling form stood in front of him, red pooling at their feet.

"I... I'm... Sorry..."