#keithbdaytalk

While there are so many quotes of his to choose from (i.e. lighthearted ones like “I AM YOUR PALAADIIN!” / “Good kitty.” / “Just shut up and trust me!”), this one in particular stuck out to me the very first time I heard it.

“I’m comin’ home.”

Oh wow, my hearttttttt.

It’s the very first time that we’ve heard anyone referring to the castle of lions as their home. We’ve all heard Hunk and Lance speaking on multiple occasions that they miss Earth - and that’s where home is for them. But Keith? It’s already immediately obvious that there’s no one back on Earth that he can go home to. It speaks volumes about how emotionally invested he has become in this team and space family, even if he doesn’t outwardly show it!!

This is also why it was SO heartwrenching to see Keith make the decision to go with the blade of marmora and leave his newfound family behind. I don’t think the team is aware of just how deep his emotions run (what’s his biggest fear? FEELINGS - according to the voltron online quiz) and the only person who should be able to catch that is Shiro - but there’s very obviously something different about him from S1/S2 so let’s skip that. See the wistful expression on his face after he gives the team one last, heartfelt look?

This is not the face of someone who’s fine with leaving. His. Home!!!

Immediately after that, Keith determinedly strides away, to dedicate himself to his new mission. He continues to put the mission above his own, selfish needs, because that’s his code of honour; because there are people out there that need him; because there are whole civilisations to be saved. He’s so afraid to be seen as selfish, probably thinks that other people see him as selfish, when in reality he’s anything but that!!!

I’ve also said this somewhere else before but Keith is definitely aware of how strained his relationship with Shiro has become. The constant push/pull and the “that’s an order.”, like omg no, the Shiro he knows would NEVER say this. With how I see his character, he’d first and foremost blame himself for the change, and what can he do to rectify this? Giving Shiro his place as the black paladin back. But wait - what will everyone do with 6 paladins? He also didn’t want to rob Lance/Allura of a lion, especially not after Lance came to him with his concerns. So he doesn’t ask for Red back. Red - who came flying to save his ass SO MANY TIMES throughout the series. (can I be salty that Keith never had a proper farewell scene with Red ever since he took over Black??)

I know it’s already been said so many times by so many people, but Keith is such a deep, compelling character with so much to unravel, so much to talk about! Thank you Dreamworks, JDS, LM and EVERYONE in the production crew for bringing Voltron (AND KEITH!!) to life!!!

I think I pretty much went all over the place with what I typed lmao but tldr the castle of lions is home to Keith and he deserves to be back with his family!! Happy (early) birthday, best boy! :’D WAIT FOR THE ART PIECE I HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU!!