ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴘᴀʟᴀᴅɪɴ.

     saccharine  is  the  taste  of  his  lips ,  like  the  rarest  of  honeyed  wines , immaculate  &  besotting ,  sending  skin  aflame  &  head  spinning .   careful  digits  explore  the  arch  of  a  cheek ,  the  line  of  his  jaw ,  the  curve  of  his  neck .  plush  tiers  press  &  part  in  slow  dance ,  entranced  by  their  muse .  softly   kaiera’s  teeth  press  into  shiro’s  lower  lip ,  not  a  nip  of  lust ,  but  of  need – a  desperate  gesture  to  pull him in deeper,  closer ,  if  ever  such a   thing  were  possible ,  to  melt  together  into  one .   they  feel  to  drag  of  shiro’s  fingers ,  the  ushering  tug  against  his  body ,  an  adonis  carved  of  the  most  precious  stone ,  ‘neath  their  fingers  this  body  feels  foreign ,  yet  deeply  familiar . 

    exploration  halts ,  if  only  to  allow  shiro  to  discard  his  shirt ,   which  encourages  kaiera  to  do  the  same .  their  body  was  not  as  his ,  a canvas  with  no  strokes  of  ink .  theirs  held  scars ,  some  deep  other  paling  into  oblivion.  their  body  had  a  history,  a  life  before  it  had  become  shiro’s.    reverent,  their  hands  splayed  across  muscular  pectorals ,  groping  a  moment ,  before   they  move  to  shoulders .  kaiera’s  eyes  filled  with  adoration , marvel ,  drink  in  their  soulmate , as  if  they  were  parched .  closing  their  eyes,  holding  shiro’s  neck ,  kaiera  presses  their  foreheads  together  in  a  gesture  of  deep  affection , &  trust .  the  language  of  their  people  was  primarily  touch  based – each  nudge ,  pinch , bite , brush .. it  all  held  a  meaning  to  them.   like  this ,  settled  on  shiro’s  lap ,  flesh  to  flesh ,  hearts  beating  to one  rhythm , kaiera  felt  complete . 

   The Galra had  perfected  their champion , their weapon , their catalyst meant to implode the paladins. A final conclusion , soul reunited with processed flesh and bone.  It isn’t often it feels like  home , but it is beginning to.  Any  skin would feel like home beneath their touch.  His lips part to welcome their own , not connecting the kiss and rather letting their gesture linger , enjoying every tick.  Behind closed doors , he dons a different demeanor  —  the same commanding leader , the same control for the situation , only a hungrier urge marking polarity. 

   His touch returns as soon as the fabric is removed , now pressing into direct warmth and soft hue. His own chest expands and retracts beneath with a drawn out breath , prolonged , maybe making the time last just a  bit  longer.  Their scars are a different  home  to him , minuscule mountains traced under fingertips , painting an image he has  always  found flawless.  Their affection once foreign has now become contagious , addictive  even , something he can’t imagine his life without.  The admiral pulls their bodies together with one organic , powerful bicep tucked on their side , fascinated by a harmonious beat.  It brought a new meaning to soulmate for him. 

    they  sense  in  him   a   slow   release ,  one  his  body  tenses  away  from  still  when  mind  wanders ,  but  the  heart    &   the   desire  were  there – to  relax ,  to  give  in ,  to  indulge .    kaiera’s  need  echo  shiro’s  own ;  being  apart  from  him  so  consistently  during  the  war  against  the  galra  had  been taxing.  their  time  discovering  each  other  in  space ,  before  earth ,  were  a  distant  yet  fond  memory .   to  finally  be  able  to  lock  a  door  &  simply  be  in  each  other’s  presence ,  after  so  many  moments  of  stolen  glances  &  interrupted  touches ,  was  a  gift  kaiera  also  planned  to  take  advantage  of .

   their  heart  skips   a  beat  as  teeth  press  into  their  flesh ,  shivers  once  so  subtle  now  wild  &  bold  as  a  sense  of  need  for  the  other  begins  to  bubble  deep  within. their  breath  catches  in  their  lungs  for  a  moment ,  spine  arching  as  shiro’s  fingers  find  their  bare  skin ,  chest  pressing  into  love’s  as  their own  hands  smooth  up  shiro’s  chest ,  to  settle  on  shoulders,  before  cupping  his  face.   they  shift  tugging  lips  to  own  again ,  prolonging  contact ,  as  soft  tiers  move  against  the  admiral’s, pressing,  moulding, tugging  ever  so  gently ,  each  movement  exploratory ,  almost  shy . 

   Even before the war , before Voltron , before  Kerberos , relaxing was an endless struggle.  An unconscious fear once he slowed down that the world would never pick back up , that  he  would never get back up.  That somewhere  sᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ would need him and he would not be there.  Even knowing how irrational it may be , the urge plagues him  ——  not now.  Not in  their  arms.

   It had once been an innocent gaze.  The  war  took center stage , a storm masking every chance for love and joy with a cloud of paranoia , of regret , of fear to lose what he might not even yet  have.  The storm has passed , their budding romance bathed in long awaited sunlight and nourishment  —  now , he may indulge. 

   Fingertips with clean cut , short nails press into their skin , tracing down their back as pads lightly drag down their shoulder blade.  Their soft , warm skin , how they move with sensitivity beneath his touch.  Once his lips part from their neck , he is met instantly with their lips , eyes closed , pouring his raw trust and adoration into them.  His soul feels apart from this newfound body once more , like they’re touching the very surface of his essence beyond a physical barrier.  Maybe he’s imagining it.  Maybe he isn’t. 

       hum  resonates  in  their  throat  as they  close  their  eyes ,  breathing  in  the  soft  scent  of  shiro’s  skin ,   tuning  out  everything  that  wasn’t  simply  him .  fingers  trail  over  lover’s  body  in  exploratory  fashion ,  lazy  in  their gliding  but  tender  nevertheless .  intimacy  was  so  difficult  to  maintain  aboard  a  vessel ,  often  only  the  confines  of  their  quarters  the only  serenity  they  could  find – &  even  that  was  tenuous  in  times  of  duress . 

shivers  ripple  over  their  flesh  as  shiro’s  lips  press  unforgiving  kisses .  truly ,  the  power  this  man  held  over  them  was  far  too  immense  to  comprehend ;  the  gentlest caress ,  or  glance  was  enough  to  melt  kaiera  into  a  pool  of  love  &  desire .  sparks  flutter  where  his  teeth  press ,  a  smile  peaceably  curling  into  their  plump  lips ,  as  they  trace  their  nose  along  to  curve  of  shiro’s  neck ,  their  own  mouth  pressed  softly  to  the  curve  of  his  jaw .   ‘ good .   i  was  hoping  you’d  say  that . ’

   Part of him  expects  an interruption.  A catastrophic failure of the  ᴀᴛʟᴀs  shields, one of the Paladins charging in with urgent news.  It’s odd finally having some time to himself — to  themselves  — without a near-guarantee of impending doom on the horizon.  It’s a relief , sure , but a weight off his shoulders he still isn’t used to being freed of.  Their fingertips soothe his anxiety , relax tense muscles beneath hard , battered skin.  His own fingertips  drag  across their back gently , clutching atop the fabric of their shirt. 

   His teeth sink  hungrily  against the surface of their skin , settling long enough to leave a mark as he works the spot with considerate care.  Like he’d been waiting days ——  weeks  just to give that particular spot the attention it deserves.  A breath escapes his chest ( shallow and quick ) as he finally moves , planting a kiss over the area.  His quarters locked down , a spacious vacuum with few belongings ( he hasn’t had time to gather much, being  dead  and all ) placed here and there , a familiar bed with more than enough space for the two of them.  The true meaning of  peace  finally discovered. 

  body tangles with love ,  body molding to shiro’s,  chest to chest , arms wrapped ‘round his shoulder , fingers curling  in  his  hair,  nails  blunt  against  his  scalp  as  they  seek  to  mesh  their  beings  together  as  closely  as  they  could ,  slipping  slowly  onto  shiro’s  lap .

‘ very  true ..  i  do  not  believe  fate  will  succeed  in  keeping  us  grounded  for  long , ’   kaiera’s  words  are  but  a  murmur ,  hugging  the  ex - paladin  close  to  themselves ,  hand  moving  across  his  body ,  rubbing  his  back ,  the  other  placed  at  the  nape  of  his  neck ,  as  they  lean  their  head  into  the  crook  where  shoulder  curves  towards  jaw .  ‘ let  us  cherish  and  make  the  most  of  these  days ,  for  they  are  short  and  will undoubtedly  be  far  between .  ’

   His thighs spread with a welcoming gap to fit their form , both synthetic and organic hands resting around their body with a comfortable yet  snug  grasp.  He knows better than to take advantage of moments like these  ——  far too many times like these robbed from him by the ongoing war.  With a grand threat gone , and a universe no longer united , his list of responsibly has only grown in scale.  

            Still , he owes it to them , to  himself  , to relax once in a while. 

He didn’t.  At least he’d have the  decency  to admit he doesn’t. 

adapted  from  this post. bold  what definitely applies  to  your  muse. italicize what somewhat applies  to  your  muse.

𝙱𝙰𝚁𝙱𝙰𝚁𝙸𝙰𝙽   »   toothy  grins,  stories  around  the  campfire,  clothes  covered  in  pet  hair, hot  temper,  old  jeans,  heartbeat  in  head,  potatoes  and  steak,  beaded  jewelry, bruises  like  galaxies,  mementos,  backpack  stuffed  full,  craigslist  furniture, spontaneous  road  trips,  air  ripped  from  lungs

𝙱𝙰𝚁𝙳   »  homemade  bread,  white  lies,  easily  excited,  trying  on  hats,  band  geek,  pep  talks,  no impulse  control,  sunsets,  vintage  fashion,  long  showers,  selfies,  following  dreams, rosy  cheeks,  song  mash-ups,  pink  lemonade  with  tequila,  loves  easily,  animated  storyteller,  full  of  comebacks

𝙲𝙻𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙲   » list  of  wishes,  biting  their  tongue,  band-aids  and  neosporin,  shoulder  to  cry  on,  morning  sun,  necklaces,  trial  and  error,  homemade  quilts,  formal  clothing,  astrology  fan,  messages  in  bottles, pleated  braids,  speaking  up  for  friends,  feathers,  motivational  quotes,  vivid  dreams

𝙳𝚁𝚄𝙸𝙳   »   bird  watching,  shy  kid,  wind  chimes,  trying  to  whistle,  summer  camp,  apple  orchards,  lost  in  their  head,  glow-in-the-dark  stars  on  the  ceiling,  hoodies,  thrift  shopping,  saving  worms  off  the  sidewalk,  pig  latin,  bare  feet,  thunderstorms, numb  fingers,  braided  hair,  naming  potted  plants

𝙵𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃𝙴𝚁   »   goosebumps,  leather  jackets,  adventure,  chewing  nails,  cares  deeply  but  can’t  show  it,  bronze  locks,  no  sleep,  taste  of  iron,  netflix  binges,  never  forgets,  combat  boots,  stories  behind  scars,  table  for  one,  official  soundtracks,  sore  calves,  trusts  themselves  the  most

𝙼𝙾𝙽𝙺   »   always  trying  to  be  better,  wanderlust,  meditation,  sweat  pants,  old   photographs,  yoga,  sleeping  in  hammocks,  nostalgia,  minimalist  design,  breath  of  fresh  air,  baby  animals,  volunteering,  perfectionist,  doesn’t  care  about  fashion,  healthy  snacks,  noticing  the  little  things

𝙿𝙰𝙻𝙰𝙳𝙸𝙽   »   school  uniforms,  thick  jackets,  sleeping  with  the  windows  open,  logical  advice,  scrapbooking,  compasses, i  fight  for  my  friends,  sculpture  gardens,  cold  morning  air,  big  soul,  likes  routine,  secret  romantic,  last  to  get  jokes,  sunflowers,  practical  presents,  misty  weather

𝚁𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙴𝚁   »   herbal  tea,  smell  of  rain,  blinking  away  tears,  camping  trips,  collecting  bones,  swiss  army  knives,  first  impressions,  anxious  thoughts,  bobby  pins,  burnt  marshmallows, too  competitive,  clothes  lines,  messenger  bags,  holding  grudges,  gets  along  better  with  animals  than  people

𝚁𝙾𝙶𝚄𝙴   »   flirtatious  sarcasm,  candid  photos,  lost  phone  chargers,  adrenaline  rush,  picking  dirt  out  from  beneath  their  nails,  social  chameleon, clashing  clothes,  self-deprecating  jokes,  claw  machines,  sits  in  chairs  wrong,  smudged  eyeliner,  has  too  many  sunglasses,  eats  nothing  or  everything

𝚂𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴𝚁𝙴𝚁   »  infectious  laugh,  family  trees,  shivers  down  their  spine,  lipstick  and  roses,  mood  swings,  clumsy,  believing  in  destiny,  high  expectations,  sleeping  in  darkness,  collection  of  nail  polish, passionate,  good  grades  but  never  studies,  poetry  books,  blowing  kisses,  not  knowing  their  own  strength

𝚆𝙰𝚁𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙺   »   knowing  everyone’s  secrets,  backpack  covered  in  pins,  envy,  being  in  walmart  late  at  night,  earl  grey,  selective  memory,  conspiracy  theories  and  cryptids,  keysmashing,  need  to  know  basis,  can’t  cook,  bags  under  eyes,  experimental  art,  flickering  bulbs,  black  clothing  all  year  long

𝚆𝙸𝚉𝙰𝚁𝙳   »  piles  of  textbooks,  cat  in  lap,  keeping  a  diary,  indecision,  scented  candles,  studying  alone  in  a  café,  lingering  touches,  museum  dates,  unanswered  questions, taking  on  too  much  responsibility,  collections,  chalk  dust,  comfy  robes,  unnecessary  apologies,  coming  home  after  a  long  day

ear  twitches  at shiro’s  softly  spoken  words .  I DON’T EVEN HAVE MUCH TO OFFER   he  says ,  as  though  he  had  not  offered  kaiera  already  a  new  life ,  a  new  purpose ,  joy ,  love ,  adventure .   their  heart  feels  squeezed  by  an  invisible  hand ,  saddened  that  their  love  saw  in  himself  little  worth.  when  kaiera  sees  shiro ,  they  see  their  entire  universe  –  abounding  with  complexities ,  gifts  &  wonder .  words  couldn’t  express  how  they  felt  –  but  gestures  could .   their  people  communicated  more  by  touch  than  they  did  with  words ,  the  language  of  a  gesture  more  sacred  &  deep  than  any  simple  saying .  they  shift ,  sitting  up ,  &  press  the admiral’s  hand  to  their  heart ,  their  own  to  his — &  their  foreheads  together ,  noses  brushing. 

they  remain  quietly  this  way ,  free  hand  curling  against  the  name  of  the  other’s  neck ,  brushing  thumb  over  short  kept  hair .  ‘  you’ve  offered  me  a  world ,  a  life ,  everything  i  could  ever  hope  for .   please  do  not  doubt  your  worth ,  in  my  eyes ,  you  are  everything.  ’   they  pull  away ,  lazy  smirk  on  their  lips  as  they  steal  yet  another  kiss .     ‘ neither  can  i  –  to  think   the  war   would  end ,  and  i’d  meet  you ,  find  allura  again .. it  feels  surreal  that  it’s  over . ’

    Humanity has done a well enough job of making love a  tangible  thing — but it was still never something he was skilled with.  He had always put his accomplishments first , his aspirations and dreams , conquering the impossible and leading where he could.  Now , the fight must not be  abandoned  , but something  else  will take a significant spot at the top of his priority list.  It’s become something  instinctual  rather than something he needs to remind himself of.  Strong fingertips rest over their chest , feeling the steady thump beneath his touch.  He could swear his own is in  sync.

     to explain the bond nostrean’s made  with their soulmates  was  complex .  for  them , a  being  made  entirely  of  quintessence ,  the  moment  their  heart  was  bonded ,  every  other  part  of  them  was  as  well .  between  nostreans  the  bond  meant  mental  telepathy ,  a  deep  devoted  love ,  desire ,  lust ,  happiness ,  need.  their  presence  would  naturally  extend  shiro’s  life ,  but ,  ultimately  their  own  would  shorten  to  match  the  admiral’s . 

     a  warm  chuckle  escapes  them ,  lips  curled  into  a   kind smile .   ‘  yes ,  loving  an  alien  is  quite  an  adventure ,  but  especially  this  alien –  ’   a  whistle ,  as  they  shift  to  nuzzle  the  other’s  thigh.   ‘ does  it  truly  need  explanation ?  tis  a  bond  between  us ,  only  for us .. we  know  it’s  depth ,  it’s  strength  and   importance ..  indulge  in  it –  in  me .   let  the  rest  figure  itself  out ,  hm ?    well ,  that’s  my  opinion  anyways.  i  want  to  discover  you ,  all of   you ,  every  inch  —  for  the  rest  of  my  life .  ’

 Everything in the Garrison , in Earth’s philosophy in general , was taken literally.  His sciences, engineering, everything  ——  quintessence was an anomaly when introduced.  To be able to practically measure life force a foreign concept , to know every living thing is comprised of the same material.  To find himself connected to another in not only a literal sense , but an intangible bond stronger than the gravity of a supernova , binding their lives together.

  He hasn’t even had time for a proper ceremony , but certainly owes them one.

   ‘ It’s perspective  — to you , I’M  the alien.  I don’t even have much to  offer. ’ Fingers thread through their hair , crooked grin across his lips.  The words dance across his mind , but he tells himself this isn’t the time , or the place.  Then again , what  will  be the time or the place ?   A fabricated need to make a grand gesture , perhaps to make up for everything they have gone through.  To have  one  moment go the way he’s planned against the chaos of his new reality.  To express his love in a way they’ll remember ; not that Kai has ever been picky , but Shiro still believes they deserve only the  best.   Besides  ——  he doesn’t even have a  ring  yet.   

    his words murmured against their lips is a mantra – of love ,  devotion ,  tenderness.    to  think  they  would  be  blessed with  this  connection  in  their  lifetime ,  after  all  the  LOSS ,  after  all  the  hopelessness  they’d  both  traversed ,  to  find  each  other .    ‘  oh  ?   then  we  spoil  each  other .  is  this  not  the  truest  truth  of  love ?  ’   voice  is soft ,  barely  a  whisper,  words  for  shiro’s  ears only .  they  press  their  cheek  into  that  hand ,  own  fingers  gliding into  thick ,  silver  hair .  

    they  tug  him  down  again ,  lips  slowly  travelling  from  lips ,  to  chin ,  to  cheek .   they  loved  him –  so terribly ,  so  truly .  though  they’d  been  hesitant  to  give  their  love  over ,  only  able  to  do  so  once  in  their  life ,  but  shiro  had  proved  himself  more  than  worthy  of  their  fluttering  heart.  ‘ you  are  the  captain  of  my  heart ,  the  keeper  of  my  time .  every  essence  of  me  is  yours  as  well,  and  always  will be. ’

   Time and time again has he questioned his  worth  of a bond as strong as theirs.  One that transcends comprehension.  His own short lifespan now a sea of unsure query ( does this clone share the same limitations as his human form ? ) answered only with the steady passage of time , one he sacrifices whole to a leap of faith, of  adoration. 

‘ I guess you’re right, ’  he muses with a smile, short bangs draped over their dark hair in a clash of contrast.  Their kisses are met with a flush across his cheeks , contemplative mind put to rest.  No more existential worry for tonight.

 ‘  I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.   I can’t figure out how to describe it. ’  

      The weight of galaxies precariously balancing across broad shoulders, pressing down and tiring a mix of organic and synthetic muscle. A science experiment given a soul  ——  and yet, when in the right company,  relaxation  is second nature.  A welcoming warmth he collapses into ( sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally ) , coiling in the embrace.  He’s lowered subconsciously over their features, index finger resting atop their chin, thumb tracing over a cheek speckled with stardust.  White noise of the ship’s massive engine is clashed with their lips parting , the Admiral keeping his eyes closed and distance between them short.  

                       Making it last longer.