[It's happening again. The last time he'd opened his eyes to find himself stumbling through these woods -- barefoot and confused and aching from a recent battle -- it had taken him some time to put it back together. It's quicker this time. But this time, this time it isn't just months that have passed. It's years. He's older and taller and sporting more than one new scar, though the most obvious one is the one that streaks across his right cheek.
Sent back home. Dragged back to this eerie colorless town. Only days had passed last time. How long with this return? And more than that, Hunk. Is the other paladin still here?
That question is answered soon enough because Keith sees movement, hears a familiar groan and well. He can't help a relieved smile, somehow. He makes his way over, settling a hand against Hunk's back with a tired sound that's almost a laugh.]
That's kind of nostalgic, you know.
[Reminds him of the good old days. But his expression and his tone flip to entirely serious in the next moment.] Are you okay? Did it happen to you too? Did you go home?
[He hears footsteps, can't bring himself to look up yet until the hand rests against his back. Then he knows before Keith even says anything and his body is loosening, tense muscles easing in relief.]
Yeah... but, man, why does it sound like you've done this before?
[He straightens slowly, looking at Keith--and it's the new Keith. He's older, right? That scar on his face looks raw and painful and he frowns at it, switches his gaze back to Keith's eyes.] I'm okay. You okay?
[Briefly, he raises a hand, knuckles lightly at the jaw by the scar without touching it.]
Because I have. First time... it was just a few months. Wound up going from the battle at Naxzela straight to meeting my mother, months later. Three days went by here.
[His hand drops away from Hunk's back slowly as the other paladin straightens. Violet eyes take a moment to roam over Hunk's features, take him in. Hunk doesn't look surprised to see him like this, so he'll assume they got swept up through the same point in time, or close to it.
Keith isn't expecting the touch, careful as it is. And maybe it's strange that he half turns towards it, but a moment later he nods.]
I'm okay. Just a little jumbled up. It'll pass. [A momentary hesitation before he adds,] I'm glad you're still here. I guess that's pretty selfish though.
[Hunk's face softens into a smile and he moves his arm, loosely wrapping it around Keith's neck as he pulls him into a hug. As he presses his face into Keith's shoulder, he says:] I'm glad you're still here. Or back here with me. Whatever. Whichever it is.
[He doesn't add anything about feeling like it's selfish.
No, he's unabashed in his relief for Keith's presence. How could he not be? He feels worlds more grounded than he was just a few minutes ago.]
[Oh hey okay. Hugging. Keith is... actually definitely okay with this. He'd gotten used to it before, with Hunk in this city. But the sudden stretch of years that has been thrown in between those memories and now, they add to the faint surprise at the gesture. But they don't make it any less welcome, and he's quick to relax and warp his arms around Hunk in turn to hug him back.]
Yeah. Me too. [Glad that he's here. That Hunk isn't stuck in this place without backup.] We're in this together.
Guess we should probably head back into town, find out how long we've been gone. And maybe make sure nothing is currently trying to eat anyone or drag them off into the forest or who even knows what.
[It's after he's actually hugged Keith that he notices differences with some surprise, his difference in height, the way he has to position his arm, but. Yeah, maybe he'll get Keith to tell him a little more about that but--for the time being--there's still other things to do.
He tightens his arm briefly, sighing in a relieved way, then lets go.]
Oh, good, look at all that positivity, [he half-jokes, half-groans.] At least if something was trying to drag people into the woods we would've seen it by now.
[Just a little taller, just a little older, but nothing is going to stop him from leaning into Hunk because it really is a relief to see him. There's a faint smile on his face as Hunk lets go, and he steps back.
He almost has the grace to look sheepish at being called out on the, erm, rampant optimism.]
Hey. This place has a track record.
[Just saying.] But you've probably got a point. Either way... I'll feel better once we make it back to our house.
[They can sort themselves out there, right?] Hey. Hunk. What's the last thing you remember?
[Hunk pauses before he answers because somehow actually stating it aloud feels bizarre. But hey, that's just the life that he lives in, so he answers Keith readily:] Allura did her, er, space-magic thing and brought Shiro back.
[He pauses to add, earnestly:] That was amazing.
[Legitimately. Hunk feels a little choked up thinking about it, and also the fear. The potential of losing someone who had cared so much about all of them and who they cared about so much in turn.]
Same time as me then. That's... I guess that's probably good.
[That they're in alignment. Something in Keith's expression softens though, relieved. Still worried.] It was amazing.
[It's hard to think of Shiro being trapped in Black's consciousness still. Alone in the star-flooded dark. But, Allura had been able to help. He'd be okay. They'd all be okay.
He looks back over at Hunk, offering a smile.] You okay? We all went through hell in the last couple battles. Nonstop too.
[It could've been worse, Hunk. Fighting Shiro had been impossible because the idea of hurting Shiro, or even something with Shiro's face, was not one Keith had taken to well. He'd been on the defense the entire time. Leaving with only the scar is a small price.]
Yeah. I guess you've got a point. All right. Let's go home and see if we still have first aid supplies.
[Hunk gives him a quick, thoughtful look because none of them knew what happened yet when Keith went to get Shiro, what kind of fight there had to have been, what precisely caused that wound. Hunk's just certain that it wasn't easy, and he reaches over to absently squeeze Keith's shoulder before he takes the lead with a loose swagger of arms.]
Yup, sounds good. Man. Sure feels like we were just here and haven't been here in super long at the same time.
[He's mumbling to himself, just chatting to fill the air with easygoing sound.]
It's weird, but it gets better after a few days. It all starts to blur together. But at first it feels like jet lag.
[Months or years of jet lag. But either way. Keith is a little caught off-guard by the warmth that rushes through him at the simple gesture, that hand on his shoulder.
He stares a moment before smiling and moving to catch up with Hunk.]
We should call it, like. Planet lag. Space lag? Dimension lag.
[He says with good humour, glancing over as Keith catches up to him. He walks comfortably with him, taking his time though he winces when they go from grass to walkways and pebbles.
Pebbles right into the undersides of his feet.
But, far more excitingly--] Look! Orange house! [Their orange house, specifically.]
[Home is a weird word for Keith in general, but Hunk is certainly right about his assessment.] A few days. At most.
[Keith nods, and heads further inside, glancing around. It feels strange to be back. It feels normal at the same time. He turns to look back at Hunk, and there's an almost helpless look in his eyes. Two years. It's almost overwhelming. And he hadn't seen Hunk and the others in that time. Keith takes a breath.
And then, because well, he feels he ought to confess it given the conversation he and Hunk had what feels like forever ago,] ...I call her Krolia.
[Hunk follows after him, though he freezes as he sees the way Keith looks at him. His heart gives a funny little lurch in his chest, concern and something else but he waits, very patiently, for what Keith's going to say.]
Ah. Guess you didn't get much mileage out of our practice, then.
[But. He smiles, though he thinks his heart aches a little as he thinks of his family, his mother, coming back here just as they'd decided they were going to head back home.] I'm glad she's amazing. You've been waiting a long time.
Guess not. I'll have to try again when we get back.
[He smiles back. And they will get back. They have too much to do, too much waiting for them. Keith is more determined on that point than ever.
He ducks his head though because Hunk is just. Way too nice.]
Thanks.
[He reaches over and sets a hand at Hunk's bicep, gripping.] I think we have more reason than ever to find a way back to stay, right? Earth is waiting for us now.
[Hunk glances down briefly at his touch, arm twitching underneath Keith's palm, but he leans slightly into it. They've come a ways since they first set out on all of this, right? Keith reaches out to him so comfortably and he could've never imagined that happening at the Garrison.
That's a nice feeling.]
Exactly. I-- I can't wait to see my family again. I miss them a lot.
[They have come a long way. Hunk is an important friend, and Keith is remarkably at ease with him, around him. It's something he appreciates more than he expected to, seeks out more than he expected to.
Sometimes it makes him wonder about himself, but even then it's still good.]
I'm sure they miss you too. I'd say you guys are all probably going to wind up super grounded, but hopefully Commander Holt smoothed things out at least a little bit.
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Sent back home. Dragged back to this eerie colorless town. Only days had passed last time. How long with this return? And more than that, Hunk. Is the other paladin still here?
That question is answered soon enough because Keith sees movement, hears a familiar groan and well. He can't help a relieved smile, somehow. He makes his way over, settling a hand against Hunk's back with a tired sound that's almost a laugh.]
That's kind of nostalgic, you know.
[Reminds him of the good old days. But his expression and his tone flip to entirely serious in the next moment.] Are you okay? Did it happen to you too? Did you go home?
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Yeah... but, man, why does it sound like you've done this before?
[He straightens slowly, looking at Keith--and it's the new Keith. He's older, right? That scar on his face looks raw and painful and he frowns at it, switches his gaze back to Keith's eyes.] I'm okay. You okay?
[Briefly, he raises a hand, knuckles lightly at the jaw by the scar without touching it.]
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[His hand drops away from Hunk's back slowly as the other paladin straightens. Violet eyes take a moment to roam over Hunk's features, take him in. Hunk doesn't look surprised to see him like this, so he'll assume they got swept up through the same point in time, or close to it.
Keith isn't expecting the touch, careful as it is. And maybe it's strange that he half turns towards it, but a moment later he nods.]
I'm okay. Just a little jumbled up. It'll pass. [A momentary hesitation before he adds,] I'm glad you're still here. I guess that's pretty selfish though.
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[He doesn't add anything about feeling like it's selfish.
No, he's unabashed in his relief for Keith's presence. How could he not be? He feels worlds more grounded than he was just a few minutes ago.]
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Yeah. Me too. [Glad that he's here. That Hunk isn't stuck in this place without backup.] We're in this together.
Guess we should probably head back into town, find out how long we've been gone. And maybe make sure nothing is currently trying to eat anyone or drag them off into the forest or who even knows what.
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He tightens his arm briefly, sighing in a relieved way, then lets go.]
Oh, good, look at all that positivity, [he half-jokes, half-groans.] At least if something was trying to drag people into the woods we would've seen it by now.
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He almost has the grace to look sheepish at being called out on the, erm, rampant optimism.]
Hey. This place has a track record.
[Just saying.] But you've probably got a point. Either way... I'll feel better once we make it back to our house.
[They can sort themselves out there, right?] Hey. Hunk. What's the last thing you remember?
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[Hunk pauses before he answers because somehow actually stating it aloud feels bizarre. But hey, that's just the life that he lives in, so he answers Keith readily:] Allura did her, er, space-magic thing and brought Shiro back.
[He pauses to add, earnestly:] That was amazing.
[Legitimately. Hunk feels a little choked up thinking about it, and also the fear. The potential of losing someone who had cared so much about all of them and who they cared about so much in turn.]
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[That they're in alignment. Something in Keith's expression softens though, relieved. Still worried.] It was amazing.
[It's hard to think of Shiro being trapped in Black's consciousness still. Alone in the star-flooded dark. But, Allura had been able to help. He'd be okay. They'd all be okay.
He looks back over at Hunk, offering a smile.] You okay? We all went through hell in the last couple battles. Nonstop too.
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[Hunk pauses a moment, lifting his hand to brush through his bangs absentmindedly. He's taking a second to really think about it, process it.]
Yeah. I'm okay. Everything was crazy, but I'm okay.
I'm not the one sporting a badass new scar, so you know, I'm peachy. [He eyes that mark, gaze soft.] Does it hurt?
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[Keith agrees. He's still trying to wrap his mind around it. Shiro. Lotor. The Castle. All of it.
He looks startled when Hunk brings up the scar,]
You know, I sort of forgot about it. So I guess it can't be that bad.
[He lifts a hand to his cheek, wincing a bit as he touches it.] It stings, but it's nothing.
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Let's find what we've got back at the house--if everything's still there--anyway.
No need for it to hurt more than it has to, yeah?
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Yeah. I guess you've got a point. All right. Let's go home and see if we still have first aid supplies.
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Yup, sounds good. Man. Sure feels like we were just here and haven't been here in super long at the same time.
[He's mumbling to himself, just chatting to fill the air with easygoing sound.]
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[Months or years of jet lag. But either way. Keith is a little caught off-guard by the warmth that rushes through him at the simple gesture, that hand on his shoulder.
He stares a moment before smiling and moving to catch up with Hunk.]
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[He says with good humour, glancing over as Keith catches up to him. He walks comfortably with him, taking his time though he winces when they go from grass to walkways and pebbles.
Pebbles right into the undersides of his feet.
But, far more excitingly--] Look! Orange house! [Their orange house, specifically.]
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[Keith agrees with a tired smile.] Home sweet home.
[It's almost strange to see it. And entirely not strange at all. He is relieved though, because yeah. His feet aren't happy. And he's tired as hell.]
Come on.
[Inside! And everything looks the same. Not even enough time to gather dust]
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[Home rings a little strange, a dissonance between here and where they came from. The thoughts of returning home, everything all meshing together.
But he derives a sense of comfort as he gazes at the house.]
Looks like we weren't gone long at all. Er. In terms of how this place keeps track of time.
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[Keith nods, and heads further inside, glancing around. It feels strange to be back. It feels normal at the same time. He turns to look back at Hunk, and there's an almost helpless look in his eyes. Two years. It's almost overwhelming. And he hadn't seen Hunk and the others in that time. Keith takes a breath.
And then, because well, he feels he ought to confess it given the conversation he and Hunk had what feels like forever ago,] ...I call her Krolia.
[OOPS.] But... she's pretty amazing.
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Ah. Guess you didn't get much mileage out of our practice, then.
[But. He smiles, though he thinks his heart aches a little as he thinks of his family, his mother, coming back here just as they'd decided they were going to head back home.] I'm glad she's amazing. You've been waiting a long time.
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[He smiles back. And they will get back. They have too much to do, too much waiting for them. Keith is more determined on that point than ever.
He ducks his head though because Hunk is just. Way too nice.]
Thanks.
[He reaches over and sets a hand at Hunk's bicep, gripping.] I think we have more reason than ever to find a way back to stay, right? Earth is waiting for us now.
[Boy does he not know how true that actually is.]
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That's a nice feeling.]
Exactly. I-- I can't wait to see my family again. I miss them a lot.
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Sometimes it makes him wonder about himself, but even then it's still good.]
I'm sure they miss you too. I'd say you guys are all probably going to wind up super grounded, but hopefully Commander Holt smoothed things out at least a little bit.
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[Hunk pauses, running his fingers through his bangs as he smiles sheepishly.]
I think, like, saving the galaxy should get me a pass on being grounded.
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[Now he's just teasing. See, Hunk? He has no family and is a washout so he doesn't have to wory about these things! Clearly.
He smiles thought.]
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