Chapter 14: The End

Keith held Lance's hand as he looked through the thin glass separating them and Lotor. He nodded to Shiro, walking into the room.

Lotor looked up, moving slowly and lazily, visibly out of it.

Keith narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. "Is he still drugged, Allura?" He asked, looking over to her.

"Yes. It should be wearing off soon. He's... what you paladins call "high"." Allura murmured, watching Lotor.

"Good." Keith sighed, turning and leaving.

———

Lotor woke up a few hours later, his chest and mouth aching, feeling a headache rage through his head.

Keith sat straighter, having been waiting.

Lotor's eyes settled on Keith, then looked around for the others. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Keith waited, his hands in his lap.

No words made it to his ears- no commands were spoken. "Shiro, it worked." He stood up to leave, giving Lotor a bitter glare before walking out.

Lance embraced Keith just outside the cell, smiling happily. "So, he can't speak anymore?" He asked, touching Keith's cheek.

Keith nodded, kissing Lance softly. "The surgery worked. He can live, but he can't control another Galra ever again."

"Good." Lance whispered, pulling away. He lead Keith through the hallways, humming softly. "I want to show you something."

Keith pulled Lance aside at one spot, kissing him happily and honestly, his hands resting on Lance's hips.

Lance entangled his fingers in Keith's mullet, kissing back sweetly before pulling away. "Okay okay, c'mon~"

They stopped outside a room Keith had no idea ever existed, the door wooshing open with Lance's touch.

Lance ran in, grabbing something from the table, turning to face Keith. "I wanted to give you something."

Keith eyed all the metal tools and various objects littering the tables, a warm glow coming from behind Lance. "Okay?"

"Close your eyes."

Keith did as told, smiling softly, feeling Lance lift his left hand.

"Open them."

Keith opened his eyes, looking down to see Lance down on one knee, feeling his heart thump. "Lance-"

"No no, let me talk first." Lance huffed, smiling. He was holding Keith's hand in one hand, and a wrapped bundle in the other.

"Keith, I wanted to give this to you for so long. After we met in your dreams, I decided to finish working on this." Lance murmured, unwrapping it.

Inside the leather bundle sat a white ring that glowed a soft rainbow of colors. It was handmade, Keith's name engraved on the inner circle.

"Keith Kogane, I promise to protect you to the best of my abilities. I promise to give my all to you, and to make you the happiest man alive. Keith... will you allow me to do that?"

Keith smiled, raising a brow. "What are you asking, silly?"

"Will you marry me?" Lance stuttered a little, his cheeks bright red. By now, he had tears in his eyes, his voice somewhat shaky.

Keith nodded immediately, smiling. "Absolutely. Yes."

Lance slipped the ring onto Keith's ring finger, standing up, holding their hands together. He let out a nervous sob, unable to stop smiling.

Keith kissed him happily, tears rolling down his cheeks. "It took you long enough." He whispered, feeling Lance kiss back with emotion.

They pulled away a few moments later, both smiling and crying softly. Lance pulled Keith in for a tight hug, resting his chin on Keith' shoulder.

"I'm so thankful to call you mine..." He whispered, feeling Keith rub his back. "No one will take you away from me."

Keith smiled, crying softly into Lance's neck, not used to crying. He nodded, kissing Lance's neck. "I only want you anyways, you butt."

———

Lotor looked up, hearing footsteps. He was due to be sent out to some random planet- still a possible threat.

Shiro helped him up, hancuffing his hands behind his back. All the paladins save Keith and Lance were there as they lead him to an escape pod.

The couple returned just before Lotor stepped in. Their fingers were intertwined, a ring on Keith's left hand.

Lotor's heart sank, envy flaring up in his chest, seeing how happy they were together. He hurried into the pod, not wanting to see them anymore, taking a shaky breath.

They took everything from him. His empire, his status, his voice, his hope, and... his Keith.

"Behave. We'll meet again." Allura sighed, stepping back to show Keith looking in.

"I'm sorry, Lotor. I hope you become a better person." He stepped away, biting his lip.

Lance pulled Keith's face in for a soft kiss, intentionally showing off in front of Lotor.

With that, the door closed and Lotor braced himself, looking at the bag of food and water they gave him. The pod was shot out into space, leaving the paladins in silence.

"Thank you, Allura." Keith whispered, holding Lance close.

She smiled and nodded, leaving with the other paladins.

Lance held onto Keith's hands, smiling happily. "I love you, Keith."

"I love you too, Lance. Only you."

The end.

Author Note: Thank you guys for sticking with this for so long! I'm not 100% satisfied with this chapter, but it's the end for now!Please vote, comment, and tell me what you thought!

Thank you for reading!💕