Chapter 8: Consequences

"What the hell was that?!" Keith shouted, ripping the bloodied shirt off his chest and throwing it aside, glaring at Lotor.

The prince put his hands up defensively, taking a step back. "A test." He smiled, using his charm to try and win his way out of the situation.

"Bullshit! I almost mauled Sendak to death!" Keith yelled, his purple eyes glistening with tears, his chest rising and falling shakily with trembling breaths. "I had no control of myself, Lotor. I didn't like that."

Lotor stepped closer, his expression softened, taking Keith's shaking hands into his own, holding them to his chest. "I didn't mean to upset you, Kitten. If I didn't think you could do it, I wouldn't have ordered you to."

Keith grumbled in frustration, wanting to jerk his hands free from the prince's dirty touch. He didn't, wanting to see what would happen if he went along with Lotor's soothing words. "I-I just wanna go home..." He sobbed softly, hiding his face in Lotor's chest, his bare chest and back making him shiver.

Lotor rubbed Keith's back, cooing softly to him. "I know, I know, Keith. Once this war is over, we'll be able to live freely. Settle down on some planet, and watch the sunsets. Maybe a beach? Just you and me?"

Keith nodded, brushing his wet cheeks against Lotor's clothing. "I'm sorry..." He whispered, sighing softly. If he was good at anything, it was faking it until he made it. "I'm tired..." He mumbled, letting Lotor step back and pull away.

"That's okay. Rest well. Take it easy." He whispered, kissing Keith's forehead.

Keith walked over to the bed, pulling the sheets back and crawling in, wrapping himself up. He closed his eyes, willing sleep to come.

———

Keith woke up the next morning, rubbing his eyes, sitting up. He climbed out of bed, sore from his attack on Sendak earlier. He walked over to the mirror, combing his hair with his fingers.

"What the hell?" He cried in surprise, backing up, looking at Lotor, who was rubbing sleep from his eyes. "My eyes! My face!" Keith gasped, looking down at his arms. "I'm! I'm turning purple! What did you do?!" He growled, walking over go Lotor's side of the bed.

"Relax, Keith. The quintessence we injected into you helped your arms. You were still very bloodied. You're healthy now." Lotor yawned, sitting up.

"What are you doing to me?" Keith asked, his hands in fists.

"You're just starting to fit in."