Chapter Text
Keith stepped out of Red, adrenaline still pumping through his veins. Pidge grinned as she bounced after him, eyes bright.
"That was fantastic!" she exclaimed, "Keith, you rocked it!"
Heat rushed to his cheeks. "Thanks," he smiled, just as Lance ran into the hangar.
"You're smiling!" the black paladin squeaked, "Yes! Keith! Amazing!" He opened his arms, then stopped just before embracing Keith. "Uh, can I hug you?"
Keith nodded, a strange feeling budding in his chest, and as Lance pulled him in, he started shaking, his eyes growing moist.
"Whoa! Keith, buddy, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Keith breathed, "Nothing's w-wrong, I... That was in-incredible."
I knew you could do it, my paladin, Red purred.
Pidge joined in the hug, too, and for a moment the trio stood there, holding each other, silently celebrating Keith's victory. Unfortunately, their peace was soon broken by the harsh sound of footsteps and Allura's voice bellowing out.
"What's going on here?"
Keith turned to face her, but Lance and Pidge both shoved him behind them.
"I went out for a test flight in Black," Lance answered swiftly.
"Didn't realise that would require your authorisation," Pidge snapped.
Keith's heart swelled at his friends protecting him, but he'd had enough of hiding, of constantly relying on someone else. He.... He needed to do this. To step up. Confront.
Taking a deep breath, Keith squeezed past them, and crossed the space to Allura, trying to keep his steps strong and confident, though his legs trembled and a small part of him wanted to drop to the ground and crawl, to submit to her because she was his commander his Mistress-
No. No, she's not. Nobody controls me. Keith told himself mentally.
"Princess, I.... I n-need to talk t-to you," he managed to say, cringing at the stutter.
To his surprise, Allura's face softened. "And I need to speak to you. Keith, I... I must apologise."
"Oh yeah you must," Pidge hissed.
Keith ignored her, keeping his attention focused on the princess. "Um, what for?"
"I spoke out of turn. You are not stupid, Keith, or useless. I'm afraid that my concerns and frustrations over the current war situation got the better of me, and I reacted badly. You...you've been through so much, Keith, and I- I should've had the sympathy for you, the care, and I'm so, so sorry that I didn't. I understand completely if you don't want to forgive me-"
"Yes," Keith said, and her face fell.
"Oh," Allura sighed, "Okay, I-"
"Oh, no!" Keith exclaimed quickly, his cheeks flushed, "I, uh, m-meant yes. I do. I do forgive you."
Her eyes brightened. "Really?"
He nodded.
"Oh, thank you, Keith! You're too good," she exclaimed, "I really am so sorry, and I won't pressure you into things again, I mean, we can keep going with the Lions we shouldn't rely on Voltron so much anyway-"
"No, I want to... I want t-to join back," Keith interrupted, "I- Red- we're ready."
Allura's mouth dropped open, and Lance took advantage of her shock.
"Keith, are you sure?" the black paladin asked, "Like I've said before, you can take your time. None of us are going to pressure you."
Keith took a deep breath, his fists clenching. "N-no, I... I want to do this. M'not ready for...missions... But I can fly."
"Okay, as long as you're comfortable with it," Lance smiled.
"I am. I can do it," Keith said, feeling a little of his confidence return.
"Amazing," Allura beamed, "We did receive a distress call from the rebels, but I was just going to ask one of you to join Hunk and me-"
"We'll all go," Lance declared, "Everyone, suit up. It's time that Voltron made a return."
Keith's heart pounded loud in his ears as he put on his helmet, glad that the paladin armour had adjusted to his different features. To say that he was nervous was a complete understatement, but Red was a constant comfort brushing against his troubled mind, and Lance's enthusiasm and confidence in him was enough to keep Keith taking one step forward, then another. He settled into the pilot seat, wishing for a moment that Pidge was in the cockpit with him; her optimism and playful attitude had really helped him, too.
I can do this, he told himself.
Yes, you can, Red purred her affirmation.
Keith held tightly to the controls as Red streaked out of the hangar, quickly catching up to Green, Black and Blue. Yellow and Hunk had already moved to engage, so they were further ahead, but for Red that was no issue. She was eager to get flying, and so was Keith, adrenaline thrumming through his veins at the thrill of being in the cockpit once more.
This is what I was born to do. Not be a weapon, or a…pet…but a pilot. A Paladin.
"Guys! So good to see you!" Hunk's voice trickled over their comms as they came up on the view of rebel ships being attacked by two Imperial cruisers, "Keith, is that you in Red?"
"Yes," he responded, pleased at how steady and strong his voice sounded.
"Amazing! Buddy, I'm so sorry about judging you the past few days I-"
"It's fine, Hunk. I forgive you," Keith smiled, though Hunk couldn't see it. Their conversation could wait for later: the smaller rebel ship was smoking, and smaller enemy fighters swarmed around them.
It was time to fight.
"Alright guys, you ready?" Lance asked, Black moving into position.
"Yes!" Hunk exclaimed, relief evident in his tone.
"Let's kick some galran ass!" Pidge quipped.
"I'm ready when you are," Allura called.
"Keith?"
He took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm ready."
"Form Voltron!" Lance yelled.
The lions flew together in formation, Keith and Red easily finding their place, and Keith couldn't help but gasp at the surge of power as the lions came together. He could feel the others through their bond - Pidge's excitement, Hunk's apprehension, Allura's confidence, Lance's hope - their presence surrounding him, both comforting and empowering.
Voltron flew forwards on Lance's command, and Keith formed the sword, the action as natural as breathing. Pidge brought together the shield, the two arms working in perfect sync.
It was as if he'd never left.
No, there were differences, with Lance being the leader, and the changes and trauma Keith had experienced- but it no longer laid so heavy on his shoulders.
Keith still wasn't 'fine' and he doubted he'd ever be. Something was definitely messed up in his head, and he knew he'd never be the person he once was.
But here, now, flying with his team, the right hand of Voltron, he felt something shift. Felt the restraints, the chains of fear and trauma, start to break, start to fall away. They were still a part of him, undeniably, but no longer held him bound.
Keith was free.