Chapter 1: The Notice

Keith squinted his eyes, his brows furrowed as he tried to read the alien writing. "Allura? What does this mean?" He asked, putting a hand on his hip.

She walked up, taking the piece of paper from the store wall. As she read it, her eyes widened. "Nothing!" She crumpled it up quickly, throwing it to an alien equivalent of a garbage can.

"Really? It had a Galra symbol on it." Keith watched her keenly, his lips pursed into a thin line.

"It was just... uh, nothing!" Allura fibbed, looking around the busy market place. They had landed for a resupply at one of the busiest markets in the galaxy, millions of alien species wandering through and speaking foreign tongues.

Lance raised a brow from behind Allura, looking over at the trash can. He walked over and picked it out, pocketing it within his suit.

"Well it doesn't sound like nothing!" Keith exclaimed, looking over his shoulder anxiously. "Our allies have been disappearing, Allura. We need to be caref-" He froze, seeing a pair of glowing yellow eyes from an alley.

Allura followed his gaze, grabbing his wrist. "We're leaving! Everyone, hurry to the ship!"

She pulled Keith along behind her, the others following in close suit. The aliens parted a path when Hunk yelled and ran ahead of them, many eyes following them curiously.

Pidge, Shiro, and Lance all stayed on Keith's heels, their weapons at their sides. Coran waited for them at the castle, taking off as soon as the ship returned to the hangar.

"What was that all about?" Lance panted, walking out of the ship when it landed. He leaned against the cold wall, sliding down it with a relieved sigh.

"There was someone watching us. A Galra. Keith wasn't comfortable." Allura explained, panting lightly herself. She stood straighter when Coran rushed into the room, smiling. "We're alright, Coran. I'll... go check on the castle systems."

The group dissipated, leaving Lance and Coran. Keith and Shiro left together, as well as Pidge and Hunk.

Lance sighed, making a move to get up. He felt the advertisement shift under his armor, pulling it out. He looked up at Coran, unfolding the paper. "Could you help me translate this, Coran? Allura read it but won't tell us what it means." Lance stood, offering it out to him.

Coran took the paper, looking at it curiously. "Well, number... two, I think? I'll have to measure you all again. Anyways, I'm not sure you want to hear it."

Lance crossed his arms, nodding quietly. "I want to. If it involves Keith, it has to be important." He puffed out his chest, looking away.

Coran chuckled softly, looking back at the paper and sighing.

"Under order of Emperor Zarkon, any rebel Galra or half-breed Galra shall be turned in to the Galra Empire. If you withhold a fugitive from us, you will be punished. Ignoring orders is treason. Vrepit Sa."

As Coran finished reading it, he looked up to see Lance's face gone pale. "Number two?"

Lance snatched the paper back and ran, winding through the many castle hallways. He raced to the training deck, taking a few deep breaths and stepping in.

No one was there.

He turned on his heels and bolted to Keith's room, knocking. No reply. "Keith?" Lance yelled, looking around. He ran to the kitchen, still calling for Keith.

Hunk looked up, surprised, working on what looked like a toaster. "Lance? What's up?"

Lance jogged to the counter, breathing hard. "I can't find Keith. It's urgent."

Hunk put down the screwdriver, humming in thought. "I think he's with Shiro or Allura. Maybe both."

"Thank you, buddy." Lance offered a weak smile, sighing and turning to the door. He walked at a quick pace, running down the hallways once he made it out of the kitchen.

"Keeeiith?" Lance yelled, rounding a corner. His foot slipped and he tripped into the wall, falling to the floor.

"Lance? What are you-"

"Keith! Oh god, okay. I have..." Lance trailed off, looking up to see Shiro and Allura, Keith standing behind them.

"What do you have?" Allura asked curiously, offering a hand to help him up.

Lance took it graciously, standing and brushing himself off. "I need to talk to Keith in private."

"In... private? What's so important?" Shiro asked and raised a brow, but stepped aside to let Lance see Keith.

Lance grabbed Keith's hand and pulled him down the hall without another word, leading them to his room.

"Look, Lance, I-" Keith started, trying to pull his hand back. Lance shoved him into his room, closing and locking the door behind him.

"Here." Lance thrust out the advertisement, turning the lights on. "I had Coran read it to me."

Keith glared at him, crumpling the paper in his hand. "Are you stupid? There's a reason Allura didn't tell us! I don't want to know!" He yelled, throwing it across the room.

Lance scrambled after it, picking it up and offering it to Keith again. "Please, hear me out, man."

"No!" Keith threw it again, and again Lance ran after it. "I don't have time for this! I was going to train!" He walked to his door, putting a hand on the panel.

"They're hunting you!" Lance shouted, watching Keith freeze. He panted, smoothing out the paper. "Zarkon, he... he's coming for you because you're half Galra."

Keith swung around, pushing Lance against the wall, gripping the collar of his shirt. "You better not be playing one of your pranks." He growled in Lance's face.

The Blue Paladin retreated a little, staring down at Keith. "I swear on my grave, I'm being dead serious."

Keith let go of Lance's shirt, and he could just now see how badly the raven haired boy was trembling.

"Hey man, it's okay. Keith... I'm here for you. I can protect you." Lance said softly, offering his arms out. He smiled welcomingly, expecting a hug.

Instead he got a strong punch to the guts, one that had you on your knees and groaning.

"K-Keith, ugh, why did you f-"

"I don't want your 'protection' !! Look. I-I'm sorry, Lance. I'm scared. I don't want to become Zarkon's slave or whatever. I... I need to talk to Shiro..." Keith said quickly, helping Lance up.

Lance whined softly, pushing Keith's hands away. "Doesn't mean you have to punch me, you dick."

Keith looked at Lance with true sympathy, putting his hands on Lance's arms. "I'm sorry, okay? I have built up anger. Now... I gotta go..."

Lance nodded, smiling softly. "I'll be alright. Find me in the kitchen when you're done."

Keith offered a small smile, shrugging. "Alright."