Chapter 13: Dual Wielding

"Kill him" echoed in Keith's ears, his happy expression morphing into a numb one. His body stiffened as his hands gripped the sword, raising it.

Lance paused, the excitement draining from his face, backing up slowly.

Keith launched himself towards Lance, his sword swinging down swiftly and with force.

The altean broadsword intercepted his attack, the swords inches from Lance's cheek. "Keith, please." He whispered nervously, looking into the emotionless eyes in front of him.

The marks on Keith's hip and neck glowed brightly, making Lotor chuckle. "It worked." He whispered, unsheathing a sword at his hip, his eyes settling on the yellow paladin, who was trying to focus on the fight and on Lotor.

Lance was busy trying to keep Keith from slicing him apart, barely keeping up, tears falling quickly from his ocean-blue eyes. "H-Hunk, let's fall back!" He kicked Keith as hard as he could, turning and sprinting down the hallway, Hunk following his lead.

"Wait. Take this too." Lotor told Keith before he followed them, tossing his sword to Keith's free hand.

Keith caught it, walking down the hallway after the boys, knowing he could take his time.

Hunk and Lance ended up at a split hallway, one they'd seen before. They were trying to figure out which one to go down when the lights went out, making Hunk whimper anxiously.

A light scraping sound echoed down the hallway, both boys looking towards it.

Sparks danced away from the blades Keith dragged behind him, his galra eyes glowing a bright yellow, the rest of his face hidden with the darkness. The bite marks still glowed purple, seeming to trap Keith in the orders he was given.

Lance took a shaky breath, looking down the hallways again. "Hunk, go right."

"Okay." Hunk started down the hallway, then looked back at Lance. "Come on, hurry!"

Lance shook his head, his armor glowing a soft blue. "Go, Hunk. I'll hold him off."

Hunk hesitated, the scraping going away. "Lance, let's switch. You go, and I'll hold him back."

Lance watched Keith's eyes get closer, the sword shaking in his trembling hands. "Fine." He turned and booked it, running past Hunk. 

Keith broke into a sprint, running right past Hunk, obviously after Lance only.

Hunk cursed himself, running after them, calling to Shiro, Pidge, and Allura to tell them what was going on.

Keith caught up to Lance easily, delivering a swift slice to his calf, making Lance cry out and fall onto the floor.

Keith stood above him, his eyes cold, the swords pressed to the ground on either side of Lance's head.

"Keith, snap out of it!" Lance whimpered, his sword held down by Keith's boot.

"Run!" Hunk yelled, barreling into Keith, knocking him off of Lance.

Lance nodded, and got up, limping, but trying to run down a different hallway.

Keith snarled and growled, fighting roughly against Hunk's arms, the swords a few feet away.

Hunk held Keith to his body in a tight hug, his arms trapped. "Stop, Keith. This isn't you."

Pidge ran in, shinning her light on them, yelping at the sight of Keith. "Where's Lance?" She asked, looking around.

"He ran off. Keith is only after him, and he won't snap out of whatever trance Lotor put him in." Hunk groaned, feeling Keith try to kick his shins.

"Let's get him contained." Allura offered, walking over to them. "As soon as hunk lets go, Shiro, grab onto him and we'll get him tied. Pidge, go find Lance."

Shiro walked over, looking down into Keith's face, activating his galra arm so they had light.

Hunk loosened his grip, preparing for the transfer. He cried out in surprise, feeling Keith squirm out of his hold and break free.

The paladins stood between him and Lance, each holding their bayards before them.

Keith panted shakily, looking behind himself to see Lotor, watching keenly. "Kill him, Keith." The prince repeated, the marks glowing brighter.

Keith ran and slid between Shiro and Hunk, grabbing his swords, bolting in the direction Lance and Pidge went.

"What are you doing to him?!" Shiro yelled, starting to advance towards Lotor.

"He cannot disobey orders, simple. Those purple marks are from yours truly, meant to seal the deal." Lotor shrugged, smirking.

———

Lance panted hard, Pidge helping him hobble along. They stopped in a room to the side when Keith sprinted past, waiting for a bit. They stepped out of the hallway, looking ahead to see Keith waiting, his swords glinting in the faint hallway backup lights.

Keith sprung towards Lance again, one sword being deflected by the broadsword, one clanging against Pidge's shield.

Pidge shoved Keith off, standing in front of Lance, biting her lip. "Stop it, Keith."

Lance was shaking, internally panicking, trying to understand why Keith suddenly wanted him dead.

"Get out of my way, Pidge. I'll kill you too." Kieth growled, bringing his swords up, looking past her into Lance's face.

Lance threw down his bayard, pushing Pidge behind him. He stared into Keith's eyes, sniffling, his own eyes puffy and wet with tears.

Keith hesitated, his marks flickering, still glowing. He walked over, ready to strike, Pidge's words bouncing away from his ears.

Lance walked forward to meet him, not sure if his plan would work. He grabbed Keith by his shirt collar, pulling him in for a kiss, his eyes squeezed shut.

Keith froze, dropping the swords, caught off guard. He closed his eyes, putting his hands on Lance's hips, kissing back softly.

Lance let out a shaky sob, leaning into Keith's support, his hands tugging on Keith's longer hair. "Keith, please... stop."

Keith pulled away, looking into Lance's eyes, pushing him against the wall, kissing him hungrily and desperately, crying softly, feeling Lance wrap his arms around Keith's neck.

Pidge watched with wide eyes, then turned around, giving them their privacy, whistling innocently. 

Lance pulled away, panting hard, looking into Keith's face again, smiling weakly. "Keith?" He asked softly, rubbing Keith's back.

Opening his eyes, Keith smiled faintly, licking his lips. "You finally came, Lance." He whispered, kissing Lance happily.

"A-Are you back to normal?" Lance panted, kissing back lovingly. "No more chasing me down with swords?"

Keith smiled, pressing their bodies together. "No more... I'm sorry, Lance. I couldn't snap out of it."

"It's fine." Lance breathed, his cheeks pink. "I-I'm so happy you're okay..."

Keith moaned softly against Lance's lips, pulling away when Pidge cleared her throat.

She looked over at them, laughing softly. "Reunions are cute, but could you guys possibly not eat each other's faces right now? Wd have to get back to the lions."

Keith smiled sheepishly, stepping back, panting softly. "Do you guys have anything to plug your ears with you? I don't want to be able to listen to Lotor."

Lance dug through his suit pockets, finding his old MP3 player and earbuds, laughing softly. "I forgot I had these."

Keith quickly pushed the earbuds into his ears, letting Lance pick a song from his seemingly endless playlist.

Lance pushed it into Keith's pocket, taking his hand, walking with Pidge down the hallways, retrieving his bayard.

"Africa" by Toto started playing, making Keith sigh and roll his eyes, squeezing Lance's hand.

Lance laughed, saying something to Pidge. She smiled, nodding. They made it back to the hangar where the lions were, Keith helping Lance walk.

He looked up to see Lotor tied up, his eyes looking over the other paladins.

Lance flinched, looking up at Keith to make sure he was still listening to the music, nervously tightening his grip on Keith's hand.

"KEITH. KILL HIM!" Lotor yelled again, his stomach sinking when Keith didn't do anything. He hated the sight of Keith holding Lance's hand so care-free. "I SAID KILL HIM, YOU USELESS HALFBREED!" He cried, tears welling in his eyes. "Don't leave me!"

Keith followed Lance into his lion, the Red Lion putting his barrier up to keep the noise out.

"Should we kill him here?" Pidge asked, putting a hand on her hip.

"No. We'll take him with us. I don't want him to fall into Haggar's hands." Allura eyed Lotor, her eyes cold and narrowed.

Pidge, Shiro, Hunk, and Allura went to their lions, Allura taking Lotor with her.

The others left, the ship now quiet and empty.