Keith pouts as he looks out the rain-streaked window. "I don't like this."

"Tell me about it," Pidge grumbles from the couch, "I was not expecting to get stuck on babysitting duty while that dumbass tries to save the world."

He gives one last glance at the grey sky, trying to judge the situation based on the weather. Lance had once explained to him that, being the god of water, clear days meant calmness, soft happiness, while rain and storms indicated something more severe, almost like a dial being cranked up. Keith is anxiously awaiting a flash of lightning or crack of thunder to suggest that the situation has taken a turn for worse.

Moving to sit beside Pidge, he ignores the narrowed eyes she gives through her glasses and meekly says, "I'm sorry about your friend."

"Brother," she corrects, "and yours also. Matt and I don't usually take sides when the big kids have their petty arguments, but I think Lotor is making a serious mistake this time."

"I wish we could do something."

Pidge raises an eyebrow. "Lance doesn't want you to get involved. I told him that I would look after you."

"Yeah, yeah-"

"But, you know, I am the god of lies and all that. So he really should know better," she easily shrugs. Keith tenses beside her on the couch, eyes wide as his brain locks onto those words. He had pretty much given up after Lance recruited Pidge to monitor Keith's apartment, because how could he expect to get around a god, but here is the option to help. Keith can't sit around being scared anymore. He owes it to Shiro - and Lance - to do more.

His mind refuses to stop focusing on Lance's farewell. It had sounded so final, as if the god believed that was the last time he was ever going to lay eyes on Keith.

Those eyes. They had been so remorseful, as deep and blue as the ocean he loved, aching with something.

"Keith," he says. There is a catch in his voice. "You'll be safe, okay? I'm going to get Shiro back for you." Sighing, Lance places his hand at the back of Keith's neck, gaze running over his face with the same warmth that it had on that night they spent together. He leans forward and presses a fleeting kiss onto the boy's lips. Keith melts into it, cold and lost when Lance pulls away all too soon.

Keith wants him to stay. He wants to go with him. Hell, he doesn't know what he wants.

He needs Lance.

"See you soon, pretty boy."

Pidge stretches her short arms over her head. Her mouth parts in an exaggerated yawn. "Or we could nap. I haven't had a good nap in, like, a century. Whoever spread the rumour that gods don't sleep, I'd really like to kick their ass."

"Didn't know that gods needed sleep," Keith mutters through a yawn.

"Gods can do whatever they want," Lance huffs. He shifts closer to Keith, pressing their foreheads together and teasing his lips by skimming over them with his own. "Keith?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you happy?"

He's moved from the couch, pacing the room once more. The pain in his chest is starting to spread elsewhere, a throb behind his eyes, a twist in his stomach. It's starting to become too much to bear.

"You don't like the water, do you?" Lance sighs softly, breaking the silence. "It scares you."

It doesn't scare me. You don't scare me.

Lance, I love-

The apartment rattles with the familiar roar of thunder. Although it sets Keith's breathing to an erratic rhythm, he swallows the panic and refuses to be overwhelmed because it's just Lance, it's just Lance and he's in trouble.

"Pidge, we have to go," Keith spins around to face the small god.

"I was waiting for you to say that," Pidge says with a smirk. "You might want to have a seat."

He does as she says, nervously placing his hands in his lap and trying not to wince away when she stands in front of him. Keith closes his eyes, seeing Lance behind one eyelid and Shiro behind the other, and when he looks around again, the room is different.

It's an immense change from the small - compact, Shiro says - apartment. Tall, curved ceilings, sleek blue lights and screens that leave the place looking like some kind of futuristic control room. Huge glass windows show an empty black expanse. Nothing.

"Are we...in space?" Keith mumbles the first thought that comes to mind. Pidge chuckles from beside him.

"Sort of. Welcome to Altea, realm of the gods. More specifically, Allura's castle," judging by her tone, she finds his awestruck reaction to be fairly amusing. "Watch your step. Your legs are probably going to feel like jelly for a few minutes."

Sure enough, he wobbles a bit as he follows Pidge into the room. As he looks behind him, Keith realizes they were standing at the mouth of a long, shadowy hallway that stretches further into the breathtaking castle.

His attention is taken suddenly by a young woman who stands in the center, eyes focused on holographic screens in front of her. They flicker and disappear quickly when she turns around, as if sensing the visitors. Her impressive silver hair swishes around her shoulders. She fixes Keith with calculating blue eyes, peculiar pink marks on her cheeks to contrast dark skin.

"Keith Kogane," she says smoothly, "we have not met." The lady - goddess? - steps down from her pedestal and nods politely. She adjusts her attention to the deity beside Keith.

Pidge straightens up. "Hey, Allura, long time no see."

"It has been a while, hasn't it?" There is a new warmth in her voice as she addresses the smaller girl. "Not that I have anything against it - but why have you come? You and Matt don't normally like to get involved, although I suppose the situation may be dire..."

"Lance has gone after Lotor."

Allura's face hardens. She lifts her shoulders, turning sharply on her heels and marching across the room to sweep her graceful fingers over one of the screens. "Lance," her accent stretches the name oddly, "why must he always be getting himself into trouble? I told him to come to me first."

"We have to help him," Keith interjects, and the words come out strained.

Allura nods. "Of course. Sit back and prepare yourselves for the ride."