When Matt woke, Y/N was already gone. But, it wasn't morning. It was the middle of the night. There was just no getting a break in this place for Matt. Curious as to where the girl had gotten off to, he threw his legs over the edge of the bed in a rush. This late at night, he didn't care too much about how he looked, heading out out in his t-shirt and sweatpants. And, of course, a pair of mismatched socks.

Ambling the castle halls late at night was calming. However, Matt also found it slightly unnerving. He'd never forget the story Lance told him of when the castle was possessed and tried to kill him, twice. It was nice passing by a window every so often, knowing that somewhere out there, deep in space, Earth was still there. His home. His train of thought was broken when he saw some light spilling out onto the floor from ahead. As he got closer, he heard the familiar clatter of a sword skittering across the floor.

Someones shadow was visible to Matt on the floor as he came closer. It was quick and agile. Unless Keith or Pidge were up this late, it was, without question, the girl he was looking for. By the time he'd made it to the door, Y/N had started up another training bot and kept on fighting.

Peering around the corner, Matt smiled to himself before finally speaking up. "I thought you would be tired." He sauntered around the corner as confidently as he could fake, leaning up against the wall.

Y/N whipped her head around and met his eyes immediately. "Matt? What are you doing up?"

The girl stumbled a little as she ran her sword through the bot, making it dissipate.

"Well, I could ask you the same thing." He walked closer, trying to straighten his hair out. He should've planned ahead.

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Fighting, y'know. Boring stuff." She muttered, shifting her weight back and fourth, eyes darting around the room.

"How about you fight me? That wouldn't be so boring." He suggested and laughed lightly.

"Uhhh..." She stuttered.

"Fair and square, no weapons." He reached for the sword, grabbing its hilt. She reluctantly let go, causing Matt to tilt his head in question. Diverting her eyes again, Matt's heart began to beat a little faster. Was she nervous?

"C'mon, I'll take it easy." He said innocently. In that moment, he saw something in the girls eyes change. Something about her reaction to that statement reinforced the fact that she didn't like seeming weak.

"I'll be the one taking it easy on you." She shuffled back a ways as Matt set the sword down.

"What makes you say that?" He squeaked, almost offended.

"You're a lover, not a fighter, Matt." She said, rolling her eyes.

Matt took the opportunity of her lacking attention to charge, sending her stumbling back. "I'll prove you wrong, shortie."

Y/N scoffed. "Whatever, Sasquatch." She ran at him, sending a foot careening towards his chest. The impact sent him sprawling back.

"Nice socks." He muttered, shaking away his blurry vision.

Y/N laughed, looking down to her mismatched socks. "Yah, you too."

Matt waited for her to get closer, kicking out and making her lose balance. Before she fell, he got up and caught her, standing her upright then backing off.

"You're welcome." He bowed, standing back up quickly before she could send a surprise attack his way. When he raised his eyes from the floor, he was met with her soft Y/E/C ones. His knees almost buckled.

Matt stood tall and raised a brow, a smirk rising on his face. He could take her.

"Please don't tell me you actually think you can beat me." She giggled lightly, hands outstretched, ready to defend herself.

"Well, I was stuck alone in a bunker for a few weeks. I got exceptionally good at fighting the air. Can't be any different than a person, right?" He crossed his arms and laughed. Taking advantage of his moment of distraction, Y/N bolted forwards and wrapped her arms around his abdomen, sending him into the floor. When he surrendered to her attack, she sat up beside him.

With his legs stretched out and resting on his elbows, he reached up a hand as if to ask for help up. When she took his hand in hers, Matt jerked back. "You win. Now c'mon, wanna talk?"



"I don't think I have a choice." She obliged, sitting down at his side.

"Are you doing... ok? I mean after being gone..."

Y/N smiled softly, pushing his shoulder back. "Matt, I'm fine. Better question, how are you holding up?"

Matt didn't seem to take her answer too seriously. "I'm just tired, like everyone else. But you—is there something else—"

The girl cut his words short. "Matt, like I said, I'm ok. What happened on Zarkon's ship was awful, you'd know, but I'm out now."

Though she smiled, Matt could see right through it. It was like she used her smile to distract from the hurt in her eyes.

"There's something else bothering you, isn't there?" He said earnestly, true concern behind his eyes.

Y/N bit her lip and shied away. She knew better than to try and lie because despite being a little aloof somedays, Matt was still smart. Her entire body was paralyzed as she sat there, Matt's hand raising up her chin a little.

"Not all of the memories came back. It feels like there's still some things missing...and I just—I don't feel right." She pulled her face away from his grasp and leaned back.

"I don't think you're supposed to after being on that ship. Neither Shiro or I have felt normal since then either. But the memories, they should have come back." He furrowed his brows. "What don't you remember?"

"Little bits and pieces." She shrugged. "I'm missing a lot from when I was on Aturdir and when I was younger. Nothing important, I hope."

"You remember everything about me, right?" Matt asked without even thinking.

Y/N pursed her lips and held back a laugh. "Everything. Like the radioactive jellybeans—"

"AH! Shh! Don't. Talk. About. That." He put a hand over her mouth to quiet her, but couldn't stop himself from laughing. Suddenly, the lights of the castle began to flicker before completely going out with a loud nyyooom. Matt shuddered and reached for Y/N's hand in the dark.