Kacxa Week Day 7: Sparring and Bonding
The sun was at its highest and brightest when two hover bikes came rolling into the Garrison’s front entrance. The bikes slowed down and came to a complete stop. Acxa gracefully climbed off the hover bike but still holding onto Keith for balance
“Thanks for coming with us.” Keith said giving a slight smile. “Anytime.” Acxa replied and handed him the helmet she had borrowed for the ride.
Keith opened his mouth to say something but before he could, one of the Garrison Cadets ran outside in a hurry.
“Acxa! Pidge is in need of your help with assisting in the repair of the Atlas.” The boy stated. Keith watched as Acxa nodded and looked over at him as to say bye.
“Why can’t Hunk help instead?” He suddenly thought out loud and his eyes widened that he actually said it.
The cadet glanced at Keith wondering why he would say that. “Hunk went with Romelle and Shay.” He answered. “Where?” Keith asked but the cadet just shrugged. “I’ll see you later Keith.” With that said, Acxa followed the cadet into the Garrison leaving Keith with his mother.
“What got into you?” Krolia asked placing a hand on her son’s shoulder. “Don’t ask.” Keith grumbled and went inside to his dorm. He wouldn’t have gone back if he knew his roommate was going to be there.
“Where were you all morning?” Lance asked right away looking up from his ‘Hero’s of Space’ magazine which conveniently had Lover boy Lance on the cover.
“None of your business.” Keith replied while sorting through some stuff on his bed. Lance gave him a look. “Come on, you can tell me.” He said smirking a little.
“I was with Krolia if you really wanted to know.” Keith answered with his back facing the Cuban.
“Just your space mom? No one elseee?” Lance questioned, more interested in this conversation then the magazine. “Nope.” Keith replied nonchalant.
“So Acxa just happened to be gone the same time and returned at the same time? Admit it Keith! You like spending time with her!” Lance pointed out.
“Lance...wait how did you know she was back?Keith questioned. “Matt texted me but that’s not important. Admit it Keith!” Lance said again not letting it go. “Fine! I like spending time with Acxa!” Keith turned around and shouted.
There. Keith had given in to Lance. Ever since Acxa had arrived on Earth, He would ask questions about her. Keith didn’t know why it bothered him so much as he was almost dating Allura. If Acxa and Keith causally walked into each other, or had a sparring match, even if they agreed on the same thing at briefings, Lance was always there to see it and annoy Keith about it later. But somehow admitting to Lance he liked spending time with Acxa felt like a betrayal to his loner self. Heck he hasn’t even admitted that to himself and yet he just told Lance..
His friend knew it was a big deal to have Keith admit that. He was the loner of the group and he never wanted to hand around anyone. So now that he did..
Acxa had found Pidge pretty easily considering she hadn’t been at the Garrison for very long and the cadet pretty much showed her the way. Pidge was grateful for an extra hand since Hunk ran away to do who knows what a few hours ago.
Pidge already had a list of stuff Acxa needed to do. After a hour or so of none stop working Pidge and Acxa were done for the day and were ready to head to the mess hall where dinner was about to be served.
“What where you up to today?” Pidge asked genuinely interested while the two walked down the corridor.
“This morning I was doing drills, then Keith asked if I would come with him to his father’s grave.” Acxa answered and looked at Pidge. She seemed a little taken back. “Keith. The loner, asked you to go with him to his fathers grave?!” Pidge said acting like she couldn’t believe it. Acxa just nodded her head. “Is there something wrong?”
“It’s just that.. Keith has never done that. He
never asked anyone to go with him anywhere. Must be pretty special.” Pidge exclaimed and mumbled the last part but before Acxa could comment Pidge took off for the already long line of people waiting for their food.
Acxa stood there remembering what Pidge had said just a tick ago. “Must be pretty special.” What did she mean? Acxa was about to join Pidge again along with Allura who was already waiting in line but she saw Keith. He eyed her but didn’t wave or smile at her. Acxa narrowed her eyes in confusion. First Pidge said she must be special to him yet he didn’t even make eye contact. Had leaving him outside made him upset at her? She didn’t know.
Later that night, Keith couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned, flipped his pillow over, removed his covers, put them back on. He couldn’t shake that feeling he had about actually liking spending time with Acxa. It was driving him crazy. He wasn’t like that.. He was the loner. That’s the way it has always been. Keith opened his eyes and adjusted to the darkness, well almost darkness because of Lance’s nightlight. He stood up, pulled a shirt over his top half and left his dorm. The hallway was lightly lit so at least he could see where he was going. Keith wondered around eventually finding the training arena. He thought a little practice
couldn’t hurt, no one could bother him too. And it would get his mind focused on something other then.. that.
Acxa should have been sleeping but she wasn’t. She figured getting a glass of water might help her sleep. Acxa had woken up from a war nightmare, Something that had been happening for awhile but hadn’t told anyone. She could handle it herself anyways. Deciding the water didn’t help her feel sleepy in any way, in fact she was more awake then before, Acxa explored the Garrison. She walked past the gym, offices, the hangers and stumbled upon the training arena. Just one round of training wouldn’t hurt..
She opened the door but was greeted by someone else having the same idea. Acxa saw Keith head to head with a robot. She didn’t think anyone would be up at this time, Acxa quickly turned around and tried to leave but Keith called her name. She knew she had been caught.
“Acxa?” Keith asked breathing heavy. “What are you doing up.” Acxa turned around to face him. “I could ask you the same thing.” She replied crossing her arms remembering she wasn’t in her armor but lucky for her, Keith didn’t notice.
“I couldn’t sleep.” He stated. “And you decided to fight a robot?” Acxa asked almost laughing. “Well you had the same idea.” Keith chuckled. “Maybe.” Acxa smiled slightly.
“Since you’re here, You want to spar with me?” He asked. Acxa didn’t say yes or no, just “Prepare to lose Paladin.”
Keith and Acxa took their place and began to throw punches at one another. Keith went easy on her, as did she and they both knew it.
“Keith, I can handle it. I was a Galra General you know.” Acxa told him but Keith still used the same power in every punch or kick he did. “I know, but you aren’t fooling me Acxa, I know you can fight harder then this too.” He replied. Acxa smirked at him, yes she could. And that’s exactly how she would win. Keith assumed that she would keep missing him on purpose but when Keith was distracted by her fists, she used her leg to trip him and he fell to the floor. Acxa stepped on him with her foot. “Fine you win.” Keith mumbled upset. Acxa reached her hand out to help him up and went to sit on the sideline benches to rest.
“You know, Pidge was wrong when she called you the loner.” Acxa said as Keith looked at her. “What do you mean?” “I always see you with someone. Krolia, Lance, Hunk, Cosmo, even I’m with you a lot. I don’t think Pidge got the loner part right.”
“That’s not the wolf’s name, and Pidge did get it right. I have always been a loner. My mother left me when I was a baby, then my dad died. I felt lost, I had no one growing up, but that changed when I met Shiro. He gave me the love I didn’t know I needed. The guys and Pidge, they are like family to me now but they weren’t always.” Keith explained looking down at the floor.
“My parents died because of the war, Lotor took me in soon after, along with Narti, Ezor and Zethrid. They became my family again, but I lost them too. I’m not meant to belong to one I guess.” Acxa said taking a deep breathe.
“Don’t say that Acxa, You have us and me now. Always.” Keith whispered. Acxa looked at him, He could tell she was grateful for his words but still sad.
“Don’t say things you can’t be sure of Keith.” “Acxa... You are apart of Voltron now, and you forever will be.” Keith said smiling a little.
“What if I am needed someone else? What if I am gone for a long time and you replace me? What if you forget about me?” “Acxa, I could never forget you. After all I did save your life more then once.” Acxa smiled. “Don’t you forget about all the times I saved yours.”
Keith smiled at her, a actually full smile. He leaned closer to her, placing his hand on hers. “I like spending time with you Acxa.” He whispered. Acxa looked at him. “I do too Keith, Let’s do this more often. Good night.” She said and kissed him on the cheek and left, leaving Keith alone. “No wonder Lance is happy all the time.” Keith thought.