After (Y/n) conducted the laser pointer experiment with Thace she texted Pidge the results about it having a similar result on galra that it did with cats, and with that knowledge the paladins could use it to their advantage. On a normal basis Thace was too serious pranks, but after (Y/n) used the laser pointer on him he thought the whole situation had been kind of hilarious, especially after Keith caught her and he caught them talking in the hallway. Life continued on as usual at the base, just as it always had; operatives went out on missions and returned while others were sent out on longer missions and wouldn't return for a long time. (Y/n) was grateful that Thace didn't have to go anywhere except for the occasional supply run, ever since their escape from central command she had anxiety about something bad happening to him and she could still be a bit clingy at times. Thace honestly didn't mind (Y/n) being clingy with him, he thought it was adorable and he didn't want her to worry about him.

Of course, they couldn't be together during meetings and (Y/n) didn't mind, and the other times they couldn't be together was when they had to do their daily duties. Ever since their escape they had to lay low so that neither of them would be recognized, even at the space mall they had to be careful. However, a lot of things had happened during their absence and Lotor had killed his father during the exchange for Samuel Holt, then one day rumors of Zarkon being dead began going around. (Y/n) assumed she was the first to hear the rumor, and even though she thought eavesdropping was wrong she couldn't help but listen in when she heard about it from the others. While she was helping a couple of other operatives in the kitchen with the dishes one day she overheard them talking about Zarkon being dead, and she wanted to know if it was true or not.

“I don't mean to interrupt, but is it true that Zarkon's really dead?” (Y/n) hesitantly asked Tidar, hoping that the rumor was true; she could feel her heart pounding within her chest as though it wanted to leap out, but she desperately needed to know.

“From what Keith said during his recent message to Kolivan, yes. Zarkon's dead.” Tidar confirmed with a smile, already knowing her and Thace’s situation and how happy they would be about their new freedom since while Zarkon had been alive they were considered wanted criminals, but with the mad emperor being deceased they didn't have to worry about being captured and turned in anymore.

(Y/n) couldn't believe it was true about Zarkon being dead; it would have been too good to be true if Keith hadn't been the one to tell Kolivan, although it was and she and Thace wouldn't have to worry about hiding as much any longer. She couldn't wait to tell Thace the good news unless he'd heard about it already, but first she had to finish her task in the kitchen. The young woman put as many dishes away as quickly as she could because she needed to find her best friend as soon as she could, then once she was dismissed she went searching for him. The base was huge, luckily finding Thace had been easier than (Y/n) expected; she found him walking towards the habsuite they shared while wearing just his bodysuit, meaning that he'd just finished sparring with someone. It was hard for (Y/n) to contain her excitement, and when Thace saw her speed walking towards him he had a feeling that he knew what she wanted to tell him, mainly because he knew about Zarkon's death.

“You look excited about something.” Thace said when he and (Y/n) met each other in the hallway, kneeling down so he could be closer to her height.

“There you are! And I am; I was looking all over for you! Did you hear? Zarkon's dead. We're free! We're finally free of him!” (Y/n) answered with pure excitement when she hugged him, expressing just how ecstatic she was.

“Yes, I've heard; it's truly wonderful news. The universe will finally be able to begin to heal, but we Blades will still need to be cautious because there are still people out there who want to kill us, and we don't know who will take charge of the empire yet.” Thace responded contently as he carefully wrapped his arms around (Y/n), expressing his own happiness, even though they still had to be careful whenever they went out somewhere.

The young woman had been so happy about Zarkon being dead that she forgot they were still in some danger for the time being, nevertheless if they were careful then nothing bad would happen to them. It would be a long time before they could have a normal life and whatever happened she hoped they would still be together, perhaps as a romantic couple. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with Thace if he wanted the same thing with her, and Ulaz could extend her life if he could get ahold of the safest form of quintessence, although (Y/n) still wasn't sure if she would ever want to have kids or not; she was glad that Thace wasn't the type to pressure her into motherhood.

“Hey, now that Zarkon's dead, would it be alright if we went out to celebrate or something?” (Y/n) asked Thace with curiosity, hoping they could go out and do something.

“I suppose that we could, I'm sure Kolivan could spare us for an evening.” Thace answered with a grin; he didn't mind going out somewhere with (Y/n), it would give him the opportunity to do something fun with the woman he'd fallen in love with.

(Y/n) had already been excited, but she was even more ecstatic about going out with Thace later, in a way it would almost be like a date. For the time being Thace was on a budget, but there were more than enough restaurants on nearby planets they could go to that had delicious food and were affordable. (Y/n) wanted to get ready for the evening and so did he; being the gentleman he was, Thace would let her wash up in their bathroom and he would use the communal shower, then they would discuss where they wanted to go together. Going out to dinner together would be the best practice first date, then if they ever went out on a real date together then (Y/n) would be ready. With Zarkon being dead a lot of the other operatives would be celebrating as well, especially those who had been stationed at central command, albeit carefully since they were still a secret organization.

__________

Going out in public and not having to constantly watch their backs was strange, but nice; of course, they still had to be cautious, but (Y/n) and Thace had a wonderful evening out on a nearby planet during their celebratory dinner. A lot of people had been out celebrating that evening because of Zarkon's death and it gave people hope that life would improve without him reining over most of the known universe. It was rare that Thace and (Y/n) went anywhere out in public, so earlier they'd washed up and wore their newest nice casual outfits; (Y/n) thought Thace looked really handsome wearing his nicest casual outfit and he thought she looked pretty in the outfit she'd chosen, alas they were completely oblivious about having a crush on each other. Eating out had been wonderful and afterwards they went on a walk together in the park, and with the three moons along with all the stars shining in the night sky it set a romantic mood, unfortunately during that time neither Thace nor (Y/n) wanted to ruin their friendship because of their obliviousness. Eventually they had to return to the main Marmoran headquarters, and by then Thace carried (Y/n) to their habsuite because of how sleepy she was.

“I had a lot of fun tonight. It's nice being able to go out without constantly worrying if some bounty hunter is following us.” (Y/n) said on their way back to their little home, holding onto Thace while he held onto her.

“Yes, it is. I never thought that I would outlive Zarkon, and now that he's gone we all have a brighter future.” Thace agreed quietly, not wanting to startle anyone if they were awake because of insomnia; it was late and most of everyone was in bed, although sometimes someone else would be awake because they had trouble sleeping.

(Y/n) thought about what Thace said, and wondered what would happen in the near future; the Blades would still be needed for a long time and she wanted to stay with Thace even though she couldn't become a member of their organization, luckily she'd earned her keep in other ways. She hoped someday he would develop feelings for her, the only thing she didn't know that he already had. Upon returning to their habsuite Thace put (Y/n) down and they took off their shoes, then they began getting ready for bed; (Y/n) changed into her pajamas and used the bathroom first before she let Thace do the same after she exited the bathroom, then they brushed their teeth together. Once all the lights were off and they laid in bed together, neither of them were sure what to say. Thace's heart ached because he was so in love with the young woman, but he didn't want to frighten her by making his interest for her known.

“What are you thinking about?” (Y/n) asked when she broke the silence, knowing that something was on Thace's mind since he was still awake.

“The future, mostly. We've both come so far since you were a slave and I was undercover as Prorok's lieutenant, it's hard to believe that we're finally truly free.” Thace responded quietly, voicing a couple of his thoughts.

“I've been thinking about the same thing. There's so much we can do now, and it's like we have so many options at our fingertips. Do you think Kolivan would let me learn how to fly one of the shuttles? I've always wanted to try, and it's not like I would be joining any missions or anything, instead I could take people on supply runs and things like that.” (Y/n) responded; she'd been thinking about the future a lot, too, and she really wanted to learn how to pilot one of the shuttles, although she wasn't sure if she would be allowed to or not.

“We can ask Kolivan in the morning. Until then, we need to sleep.” Thace answered with an encouraging tone; nevertheless, they both really needed to sleep.

“Okay. Goodnight, I lo- g-goodnight.” (Y/n) yawned, wishing her best friend a good night; she almost said that she loved him, but she stopped herself and turned away from him, embarrassed for almost telling her crush that she loved him.

“Goodnight.” Thace mumbled in response, not even noticing how (Y/n) almost said that she loved him because of how tired he was.

(Y/n) loved Thace, although until she could be sure he reciprocated her feelings, she would have to keep it to herself. When Thace spooned her from behind she blushed and focused on her embarrassment, otherwise he would have been able to smell her excitement in response to the romantic gesture. It wasn't long before she fell asleep and judging by Thace's deep breaths he'd fallen asleep as well; (Y/n) loved it when he spooned her from behind while they slept, he made her feel safe and loved. She hoped that Kolivan would let her learn how to fly one of the shuttles, if she could then she could help out a little more. Life was changing quickly and something else would soon happen, something that would benefit both Thace and (Y/n), they just didn't know it yet.