#dev@sdcc

Allura tapped her nails upon her knees. “Yes, well, while I feel that a Galra Paladin is not…conducive to our mission, it is far too late in our plans to -”

Shiro cut her off, “I’ve already informed Keith that if anything were to happen to me, I would want him to lead Voltron.”

Lance reeled. How the quiznak did he get invited to this meeting?

Allura immediately straightened, eyes growing dark. “What!”

“I understand your disdain for all things Galra, but I’ve known Keith for a long time. He’s like my little brother. I trust him implicitly, and nothing you can say will change that.”

Lance’s mind went blank as Shiro’s words injected a heavy dose of shock into his gut. Hurt crept up a few moments later, though he quickly batted that away. Keith lived attached to Shiro’s hip, hero-worship and true affection blending with a protective instinct to create a strong, everlasting bond. Lance had only begun to forge such unyielding connections with the duo, so it made sense that Shiro would pick Keith to lead the team.

Plus, Keith never quit in battle, and if he could ever cool his jets, nothing would be able to stop him. He was the perfect choice to succeed Shiro.

But something overwhelmed Lance almost a second later.

Absolutely, unfathomable horror.

Allura huffed, “I know you are fond of Keith, but I urge you to reconsider. In the event that are you are no longer able to fly the Black Lion - ”

“Keith’s Galra heritage has nothing to do with his ability to - ”

How could they even discuss this so calmly? And how could they ignore the most important point? The words flew from his mouth quicker than Lance could stop them.

“What the hell, Shiro? Nothing is going to happen to you!”

Allura looked startled. Coran appeared sympathetic, but Shiro reached out to pat Lance’s knee in what he probably thought to be a soothing gesture.

“Lance, thank you. I’m touched by your concern, but now isn’t the time to ignore the obvious.”

“What’s obvious? You’re our best fighter! You were the Champion!” A fierce panic seized Lance’s entire being at the simple thought of something happening to Shiro. “You’re - You’re our leader.”

“And as leader,” Coran interjected, somberness reigning in his voice, “it is customary for one to choose a second-in-command in the unfortunate event of - ”

“He’s not going anywhere, Coran!”

Shiro came to kneel before Lance, a hand upon each shoulder in a warm embrace. “I am the pilot of the Black Lion. Zarkon’s lion.”

“Your lion.”

Shiro’s tender, gracious smile broke Lance’s heart. “Thank you, Lance. You have no idea how much your confidence means to me, but - ” And Lance was left breathless by the sudden collapse of the usual reserved leader. Before him knelt not the infallible Black Paladin, but Shiro, their concerned and very human big brother.

“ - but Zarkon is gunning for me. And this plan we’ve worked out with the Blade of Marmora puts me right in Zarkon’s path. If anything goes wrong, I need to know you all will be all right.”

Why was Shiro telling him this? “And if something happens, what? You expect Keith to just take over as Black?”

Shiro nodded. “And help finish what we started.”

Rage tightened Lance’s fists on his knees. “Seriously? You’re that cruel? You’ll make him do what you couldn’t.”

The pride in Shiro’s eyes was limitless. “He is so strong, Lance. You all are. You have no idea all of you can accomplish. I’m in awe daily of your talents and perseverance. I have no doubts that with the right push, you can go on in the event of - ”

“Stop,” Lance pleaded, “why are you telling me this? Why not Keith?”

Shiro faltered again. His hands shook on Lance’s shoulders. “In the Blade of Marmora headquarters, Keith went through…trials. He had to face his greatest fear.” This was private, between Keith and Shiro. Shiro shouldn’t be telling him this. Why was he telling Lance this? But he did, voice gutted with emotion. “It’s losing me, Lance. He’s afraid of losing me.”

Shit.

“I’ve already spoken to him about this, but I can’t - I can’t do that to him again.”

“So why are you telling me?”

Shiro’s glistened softened. “Keith may become the decisive head of Voltron, but you are its heart, Lance. You always support us and guide us, and encourage us in ways I can’t even begin to describe.”

Wait. What? “Are we talking about the same person?”

Shiro laughed, though it was humorless and sad. “If something happens to me, Keith will be a capable strategist, but he will be reckless. He’ll need someone to ground him, someone to match his fierce nature with undying empathy. That’s you, Lance.”

Him?

“You and Keith compliment each other so well. I have no doubt that with Keith’s unyielding drive and your endless heart, Voltron will be unstoppable.”

Lance gripped Shiro’s forearms, tears wetting his heated cheeks. “We’re unstoppable because we have you.”

Shiro closed his eyes and pressed his face against Lance’s shoulder. “Promise me you’ll look after them, Lance. Please.”

Lance couldn’t give Shiro an easy out. He couldn’t. “Be here to protect us yourself.”

Shiro’s fingers tightened in Lance’s shirt. “Lance, please…“

Ancients, Shiro begged him.

Lance never could deny any of his family anything they wished, especially solace. And Shiro was always so strong for them. He’d be strong for Shiro.