Keef✨

keith has saved shiro’s life atleast a handful of times. the two had a whole episode dedicated to their shared past and how much they meant to one another, as a friend, and as a sense of support.

and you mean to tell me they barely even speak in the last season?! in the season finale?!

where is the acknowledgement of the scar shiro gave to keith, or the fact that keith almost sacrificied himself for the team, or the praise for keith finally becoming the leader shiro knew he could be? where is the parralel reaction to keith’s life being in danger (at the hands of zethrid) and shiro coming to the rescue like keith has done for him time and time again.

This season has so many incredible things to offer; the animation, the voice acting, the writing, the character development, like… I think it’s one of the best we’ve had so far. I love season six the most because of how heartwrenching the last few episodes are but this season was still phenomenal. This fandom likes to focus on the negative more than the positive, even if the negative is a minority, so I’m gonna give some opinions on these negative things.

- “forced relationships”

Whomst?? Do you mean Keith and Acxa? Because literally Acxa saved team voltron and Keith didn’t want to leave her behind because he’s honourable and he felt like they owed her. Ezor and Zethrid teased Acxa about liking Keith but neither of them responded, and in fact Keith had nothing to do with their shit. They were just trying to mess with them. Even if there is some kind of attraction there it’s on Acxa’s part and is definitely one-sided. I personally think they could even be related, like… I know heteronormativity has us all expecting that when a girl is teased about liking a guy the two will end up together because we’ve been trained to think that way but really, I know they won’t do that. Keith isn’t just gonna like… open up to this chick he’s known for ten minutes and want to be in a relationship with her. And there’s no amount of friendship bonding they could do in 13 episodes that wouldn’t make their romance feel clunky and rushed in comparison to the deep and meaningful relationships I love this series for. They’ve been building Keith and Shiro as a relationship since season one and it’s been established that they’re stronger now after their battle in season six. The only logical and sensical choice for a Keith romance is Shiro and I know Acxa coming in isn’t gonna change that, regardless of how she might feel. Even platonically Shiro basically owns Keith’s heart, man. No one is gonna replace that.

If you mean allurance, allow me to point you to the entire fucking series because they’ve also been building up since season one. Lance has gone from this flirty entitled brat to a respectful and dedicated person and honestly it’s one of the best character changes in the series. He’s loved - not liked because she’s pretty, but loved - and respected Allura since season three and Allura has been falling for him as well. She had that thing with Lotor but that doesn’t mean her being with Lance would be forced. Lance didn’t feel entitled to her at all, in fact he was more worried for her safety than her and Lotor getting together. He wanted her to be happy because he loves her, even if that meant not being with her. That’s huge. It’s a great way to have a relationship build instead of the guy getting the girl because he thinks she’s hot that we always get with m/f romances.

- “we were queerbaited with sh@dam/ad@shi”

No, we weren’t. Y'all if I see one more fucking person saying this season was bad solely because Adam died I’m gonna throw myself off a bridge. Lots of people died. That wall was fucking massive. That’s what happens in war (real slick also @ the person who literally accused Bex of defending the decision to kill a gay character when she herself is LGBT+). We literally saw the man for like three minutes of screentime and I don’t understand why people expected to see more than that. Shiro is our LGBT+ rep, not Adam. Adam was a plot device meant to deliver the reveal that Shiro is attracted to men. He was never meant to be an important character nor was he meant to get back together with Shiro. There was no queerbaiting of any sort this season.

- “Keith swooping in and saving Shiro was Keith stealing his agency, he should’ve killed Sendak himself”

This entire show is about togetherness; facing the abyss alongside those you love. Shiro had to face one of his biggest demons this season, and with the theme of the show I’m surprised people think he should’ve done it alone. He ran head first into that fight with Sendak; no holding back, no fear. That’s what mattered. He fought bravely and fiercely against his greatest rival and honestly the confidence he radiated in that scene inversely paralleled season one in which he fought Sendak one on one and ultimately lost. This time he didn’t lose– he had help. A major theme of his arc is learning that he doesn’t have to face his demons alone, and it’s entirely poetic that it was Keith who killed Sendak, in my opinion. No one else could’ve done that and had it feel so right. He’s always tried to look out for Shiro, and he literally brought him back from the dead. He didn’t stop Shiro from going into the fight, he just came in to give him a hand when it was too much for Shiro to handle alone. It was done really well.

- “Shiro isn’t the black paladin anymore”

Okay, to be fair before the season even aired I was upset as much as the next guy but my upsettedness dwindled because I knew they wouldn’t be sidelining him. The directors love Shiro so much, okay? Like… yes he’s suffered but everyone has. So much thought and care was poured into his character and his arc and I’m so grateful for that. Being the captain of the Atlas is an incredibly important role, and the sole reason she can even transform into a mecha is because of his arm. He’s seen giving orders not only to the paladins but to literally everyone. He’s still very much a leader, even without the black lion. That’s what his arc is about; that he’s more than just the black paladin. He’s more than the burden that was placed on his shoulders. Yeah they solidified a lot that Shiro was the true black paladin but honestly passing the torch to Keith doesn’t bother me one bit. Keith has grown into his position so well and he clearly excels, just like Shiro always knew he would. Shiro has outgrown the role of black paladin and has moved on to the role of Captain Shirogane. He’s incredible this season and I’m so happy with what they’ve done with him.

- “they queerbaited k/ance”

Uh… no. They said months back that they never intended for it to be canon and the fact that people got that vibe actually surprised them. Yes Keith and Lance got along this season but that just is a testement to their growth as individuals. They’ve outgrown the rivalry and I’m glad to see that. Lance can be Keith’s right hand man and is content in that position and Keith trusts him. That’s huge. I’m so happy they ended up like that and I’d love to see more of them being friends next season.

- “the writing was bad”

Okay, that’s an opinion. You’re allowed to have those. Thing is though, that it really wasn’t. Because we’ve had such short seasons getting a long one where a lot of stuff happens has overwhelmed everyone who watched it all at once. It might feel poorly written to some because the focus is heavily on plot development and not relationships between characters as in previous ones. Essentially, shit got real this season and there was no time for that kind of thing, even with 13 episodes. With the battle for Earth over, the only big bad we’ve got left is Honerva, who has fucked off to who knows where. They’ll definitely end up fighting her in s8, but s7 really had a “final battle” feel in the finale. I feel like a lot of the last season will be dealing with the aftermath of this one, to be honest. Characters talking things out, Allura and Lance becoming official, Keith and Shiro possibly also becoming official, picking up the pieces and rebuilding Earth like we already saw them doing, etc. It’s gonna be less plot heavy and more “chill”, I think. An interesting choice for the final season to be sure but the battle for Earth was so fucking intense it’s hard to top that. Maybe I’m wrong but I feel like 7 is gonna be the most intense season of the show.

- “the sheith was OOC”

?? This one confuses me. Maybe it’s because we had so much of it last season that the general lack of interaction between them got to some people but really? Pre-Kerberos backstory? Keith begging Shiro to fight and stay alive? Keith helping Shiro defeat Sendak? That moment where Keith is holding him and that look they give each other?? Like?? We were blessed and it was perfectly in character. Next season I think we’ll see what Joaquim meant more that their bond is now stronger now that all the crazy shit on Earth has gone down.

Firstly, I altered the quote just a tiny bit… I know that kinda defeats the purpose of quotes but such is life, baha.  Forgive me in advance for the cheesy Beauty and the Beast inspiration.  Hope you enjoy!

“Do you know what the most powerful motivator is, Champion?”

In the cramped space of his cold prison cell, Shiro said nothing.  Instead, he closed his eyes, letting his head fall back against the wall as he sat up in his cot.  On the other side of the door stood Choleer, an avid gambler who had deep connections within the Galra empire, peering through the small, barred window.  It was unsurprising to see him roaming freely around the holding cells; somewhere, a guard’s pockets were filled with bribe money.

“Not going to answer?” Choleer prodded.  “Alright, I’ll answer for you.  It’s hope, Champion.  Hope!  And you’ve proven that time and time again.  Your match today was quite the spectacle to behold, and it earned me a great deal of money, so I thank you.  Come, come, claim your prize.”

Shiro glared at the alien, his eyes shifting to the item he had clamped between his claws as he raised it into view.  It was a mirror – an ordinary, handheld mirror, modest in design without any features that suggested there was anything special about it.  In truth, it held more power over Shiro than one could ever imagine, and Choleer brandished it before him – taunting him.

“Oh, don’t give me that look,” the alien said with false dejection.  “Wouldn’t you like to see him again?”

The ongoing arrangement he had with Choleer was far from dignified, and Shiro could feel the shame twisting sharply in his gut.  Still, the alien was right – he had something that would continue to weave hope through Shiro’s heart, something that kept him from throwing his life away in the arena each and every time.  He clenched his fists as he climbed out of bed, limping toward the cell door – his ankle had been injured during his last fight, and walking on it cause hot pains to shoot through his leg.  He gripped one of the metal bars to brace himself, his eyes glued to the mirror.

“Now, say the magic words, Champion.”

Shiro swallowed hard past the lump in his throat, ignoring the smug grin on the aliens face.  He could only manage a tight whisper when he spoke, “Show me Keith.”

The surface of the mirror began to glow a bright purple, his reflection disappearing and replaced with what looked like swirling black smoke.  A quiet hum sounded from the mirror, and when the smoke cleared, he could see Keith standing in the middle of his desert shack – it was like watching him through a television screen.  Shiro could feel his eyes burning with hot tears as he tightened his grip around the metal bar.  Every time he was able to see Keith like this, he didn’t think his heart could break anymore – and each time, it did.

Keith stood facing the wall where dozens of photos, graphs and notes were pinned to a corkboard, red thread connecting different events.  “I know you’re out there,” Keith whispered as he plucked a polaroid photo from the wall.  It was of him and Shiro on the day of the Kerberos launch.  Tears were visible in their eyes, but they were smiling.  “I’ll find you.  I… I don’t know how yet, but I will.  I promise.”

“Damn it,” Shiro breathed, squeezing his eyes shut as he pressed his forehead against bars; they felt like ice against his skin.  “Damn it…”

“That boy sure is persistent,” Choleer commented as he slipped the mirror inside the pocket of his coat.  “But hey, win your next match, and maybe we’ll see what exactly he’s planning, eh?  And, uh, don’t forget to keep this under wraps, Champion.  I don’t need that witch comin’ after me for this.  She’d kill for this kinda magic tech.  See ya around.”

When Choleer’s footsteps faded into silence, Shiro collapsed to his knees, slamming the side of his fists against the cell door, shouting in anguish.  He was already being used by the empire, and now, he was letting himself be used by Choleer.  They were having him kill and slaughter for money and entertainment, and each life he took made him want to take his own.  But seeing Keith, even through some tiny mirror across the universe, and knowing he was still holding out hope that Shiro would return home – it was the only thing that made the last three years bearable.  It kept him alive.

And so Shiro would continue to fight, continue to kill, because he would return home one day.  Whether or not he’d be able to live with himself then…

|| PRE-ORDERS FOR THIS AND EVERY OTHER UNIVERSE: SHEITH EDITION ARE NOW OPEN!! || CLICK HERE ||

This and Every Other Universe is an unofficial Voltron: Legendary Defender zine collection that focuses following the fandom’s favorite pairings in whatever universes they find love.

The Sheith Edition of TEOU is A5 (8.5″ by 5.5″) and perfect bound. With over 100 pages, readers can expect to find 25,000+ words from 9 different authors, 35+ illustrations, and several multi-page comics and artist/writer collaborations. All physical zine orders will include a PDF download.

The Sheith Edition Bundle includes 6 A5 prints, 1 A5 sticker sheet (kiss cut), 1 bookmark, 2 double-sided acrylic charms (2″ + glitter epoxy), and 2 enamel pins (1″ + butterfly clutch backing).

PRE-ORDERS CLOSE JULY 14TH

|| Giveaway details and full contributor list below the cut ||

You found me–

I’m sure someone has already covered this but whatever, here we go, That Scene in Japanese. Because I find it V E R Y interesting.

This one is the same in the closed caption and the dialogue and translates evenly from English.  “Shiro, please. You’re my brother. I love you.” This has no more or less weight than what he says in English. ;)

But then there’s the Japanese version. OH MY GOD.  What Keith says: “Shiro I beg you. You’re my brother. I love you”

What he uses for love is 愛してる (aishiteru), which is…. not a word commonly heard in Japan? It means deep, powerful love and it’s rarely used even between spouses (though tbh affectionate love language between couples isn’t a thing in Japan the way it is in the Western world). It’s why when you’re watching anime, a deep confession moment comes in the form of “suki desu” (I like you), or “dai suki desu” (I REALLY like you) because that in and of itself is a big deal. Aishiteru can be used within families of course, but typically it’s for parents (moms) to their kids. Brother-to-brother it’d be rare to hear and definitely legendary-rare between friends. While not necessarily inherently romantic, aishiteru is a BIG word and a big deal because it conveys clearly what Keith feels for Shiro. Shiro is his everything. 

And what I find pretty interesting is when I turn on the subs for the Japanese version, instead of just saying 愛してる(aishiteru), what it says on the screen is 心から愛してる… I love you with all of my heart.

AkaKuro week 2017 - Day 1 - 2 - 3

So I am gonna show you all the days I haven’t posted here!