Chapter Text
Keith knew he was different from the others. quick temper, natural distrust towards other people, social awkwardness, and unusual interests in combat techniques among other things like small unusual (ehm..... personal) physical traits. Maybe that's why none of the foster families wanted to keep him for long. But never in his young life did he imagine his very biology being a question.
Flying a mechanical alien blue lion (Coincidently with a very handsome boy who went to the same school he did.) at impossible speeds across the galaxy to join a bigger alien warship and then being thrust into a battle between multiple alien species opened his mind to the idea that the universe was simply too large for a single planet of living species and maybe he wasn't entirely human?
What other species looked human enough to create him? Surely not Alten. Although they are the most humanoid of species he has come across so far, he was sure Allura and Coran would know at once and would have told him. He can't be Galra (note the lack of purple fur and cat-like ears and tail) unless.....
No. He can't talk to the others about this.
Shiro would be nice about it and try to convince him he is just a normal human.
Lance would probably joke about it and say Keith was part Arusian due to his short stature (God! I hope not) but
Pidge would be the one to point out that the Arusians don't have a working space program and are light-years away from developing one. They might even suggest building some sort of alien DNA tester with Hunk to help find out for sure.
What would Allura and Coran think? As long as he isn't Galra they might be ok with whatever species he turns out to be. But- no.
No. He can't talk to the others about this.
He sighed and returned to his nightly routine of cleaning his blade and tucking it under his pillow.
"Dad most definitely was human." He thought to himself. Never having met his mom, he concluded that she might be the one from another planet.
**********
Next morning after breakfast and usual training. Allura told the paladins to try strengthening the bonds with their lions by flying, blind, straight towards the ground from the upper atmosphere, Using only the sight from the lions to pull up and land safely.
As always. Garrison Golden Boy Shiro accomplished this task on his first attempt. Hunk and Pidge did it after stumbling across the sandy planet a few times. Lance of course managed to turn it into a competition with his self-proclaimed 'rival' by racing him to the ground.
Neither the blue nor red lions were particularly happy with their paladins after this stunt, considering the damage to their hull after being pulled out of the sand.
Red however was far less damaged since she landed straight into a loose pile of sand, unlike Blue who crashed into some rocks.
"I swear, mullet!" Lance groaned rubbing his ribs as he and Keith dragged themselves back into the castle in defeat. "Pulling your ninja skills while in a lion, that's something else. Are you even human?"
Although it was meant as a lighthearted jab, it struck a chord with Keith who immediately frowned, mentally preparing for another argument. But any further comments were cut short when Shiro walked in and sighed with his hands on his hips.
"Boys. You need to take this more seriously. This isn't regular training at the Garrison."
Shiro's disappointed dad look was enough to put a stop to any potential arguments between Keith and Lance. They mumbled apologizes and headed to the showers with Lance still grumbling something about Keith under his breath. Keith secretly watched Hunk and Lance talk about the exercise and laugh. It felt like he wasn't privy to this side of the cheerful happy paladin. Then he remembered the comment Lance made about him.
No. He can't talk to the others about this. He reminded himself.
**********
Keith felt like he was living with a constant migraine. With his basic biology in question, Lance's constant jabs at him, Allura's constant pressure on the team's performance, and Pidge's constant technical babble, Hunk, and Shiro became his silent refuge. Hunk with his many creative delicious alien food and Shiro with his calming presence and comfortable silence which was a great contrast to Coran's overwhelming personality.
Ulaz was an unexpected enemy turned ally. Although the circumstances of their introduction were off, Shiro stood firm that he could be trusted. A twinge of hope twisted in Keith's heart when the team (except Allura) warmed up to Ulaz. Maybe he would have a chance too, regardless of what race he turned out to be.
But suddenly his heart dropped out of his chest. Ulaz's blade. It had the same glowing symbol as the one on his own blade. Coincidence? Yes, It has to be. He couldn't be Galra, he just couldn't.
Denial doesn't change facts though. He desperately needed facts before he loses his mind but apart from finding out that Ulaz's blade was a ceremonial weapon unique to the blade of Marmora, he never got any more information before Ulaz was forced to sacrifice himself to save them all, during the next battle.
The mysterious other half of his species seems more and more likely to be the one he most dreaded. But without hard evidence, they refused to accept it.
No need to tell the others about this. Not yet anyway.
**********
The trip to the space mall was quite an experience. For the most part, it was just like a regular Earth mall, minus the colorful aliens and alien shops. He did manage to separate himself from the group to investigate the symbol on his mother's blade. The only thing he has that without a doubt belonged to her, the only thing that seemed alien he possessed and the only way he can know what he is.
The alien who examined his blade made him uncomfortable to his core. Although he didn't unwrap the bindings used to hide the glowing symbol, the alien did inform him that the metal on the blade was called Luxite from a planet that has been extinct for a while. Although he couldn't get any more information before the alien tried to take the blade for himself, one thing was certain. The blade wasn't from Earth and since it belonged to his mother, who most likely, wasn't from Earth either.
"Tell you what, I'll give you a 1000GAC to take it off your hands." the four-armed alien told him, two arms crossed, one against his him and the other firmly wrapped around the hilt of Keith's blade.
"It's not for sale," Keith told him firmly.
"Two thousand." the alien bargained, holding up 2 fingers.
"No, thanks. Give it back." Keith said, anger bubbling inside but he tried to keep calm like Shiro would have.
But the alien was persistent. He threatened to call security on Keith! Panicking because Coran told them not to draw attention to themselves, he made to grab his blade, leading to a weak knife fight with the alien before successfully wrenching his knife back and taking off at top speed.
Thankfully the others also seemed to be on the security's radar, so they all clambered onto Kaltenecker (The new earth cow that Lance and Pidge got for some reason.) before escaping.
Keith didn't end up getting any solid leads about his heritage yet. No reason to tell the others. not yet at least.
**********
Then the day came he got his proof. He didn't realize how much he dreaded this moment until he heard the words come out of Kolivan's mouth.
"The only way this is possible is if Galra blood runs through your veins," Kolivan said with a subtle hint of surprise in his voice.
Keith stood in shock, arm still outstretched holding the knife that had just transformed into a longer blade.
He had no choice. The others had to be told now.
**********
Shiro and Keith returned from the Blade of Marmora's secret base with Kolivan awkwardly seated behind them in the red lion. None of them spoke, even Red seemed to be in some mournful silence which was unnerving since it was only a few minutes ago she had attempted to tear down the base to get to Keith.
Kolivan seemed to say all he needed during the Marmora trials and Shiro reserved any conversation with Keith till they had some privacy.
Keith barely remembered piloting Red back to the castle. His stomach churning to the point he felt nauseous and it had nothing to do with the many injuries he had obtained during the trials.
The entire team including Princess Allura and Coran had been waiting for them anxiously in Red's hanger.
"Is everything alright?"
"What happened?"
"We saw Red get angry and -"
Shiro held up both palms and made the 'calm down gesture, stopping the group from blowing them over with questions.
"I'll explain everything. The important thing is, everyone is fine and we have new allies against the empire."
"Shiro," Allura said in a stern voice. But Shiro interrupted again. "I understand your concerns, princess. I promise I'll explain everything. Firstly, I'd like to get Keith into a pod."
"What hap-" Coran began, immediately stepping forward to check on the boy.
"I'm fine. Really!" Keith cried out taking a step back and holding up his arms like he wanted to keep Coran at a distance.
"Keith." Shiro sighed "The cut on your shoulder looks particularly bad. Please. Just get into a pod."
"Why was my paladin injured? What did you do to him?" Allura snapped at Kolivan who remained stoic, arms crossed, waiting for Shiro to say something.
"Princess, I promised to explain everything. Let's just go inside and talk." Shiro said before turning back to Keith. All the other paladins were watching the two curiously.
"Shiro, I can't-" Keith began, stopping himself before his voice betrayed how scared he was.
"I know, Keith," Shiro replied gently. "I'll talk to the others while you are healing. Everything will be alright."
"But what if-?" Keith began again lowering his voice to a whisper.
"I've got your back, Keith. Just like you always have mine." Shiro said with a smile, squeezing his good shoulder before letting Coran usher Keith to the med bay.
Taking a deep breath, Shiro turned his attention back to the rest of his team and Kolivan. Truth be told. He was just as nervous as Keith. But Keith was like a brother to him and he vowed to stand by him no matter what.
**********
Keith stumbled out of the pod to find the med bay empty. He didn't know how long he was in the pod but couldn't help the twinge of disappointment in his stomach that nobody cared to see him out.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself since the pod doesn't help with exhaustion, he slowly made his way to the bridge.
"You expect me to believe he had no idea he was a half-breed?" Allura snapped at Shiro.
"I've known Keith for a long time, princess," Shiro explained in his usual calm way. Keith hovered awkwardly by the door, not knowing how to make his presence known without showing he heard the princess's frustration.
Pidge stood next to Coran, both faces buried deep on the holo screen, oblivious to Allura and Shiro's exchange.
Hunk and Lance were leaning against the wall near Shiro. Arms crossed but watching them intently with a frown on their faces.
"The Galra are excellent at secret keeping. Look at Zarkon! He bamboozled the black lion into accepting him as a paladin." Allura said coldly.
"Zarkon is not a representative of our entire species." Came a voice from near Keith. He jumped and turned to his right.
Kolivan had finally spoken.
"He represents enough of them for us to remain cautious," Allura said, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Keith. He swallowed.
"Keith!"
Shiro rushed to him, pulling him into a hug. "That was quick, barely a few dobashes. How do you feel?"
As if on cue, Keith winced. Shiro's metal hand accidentally put too much pressure on his wounded shoulder.
"You haven't healed fully," Shiro said sadly. He then turned to Coran whose attention now was on them.
"It probably has something to do with his half-Galra body. I had programmed the pod for humans before I knew what he is." Coran said jumping to his feet.
'what he is' Keith repeated internally
"I feel fine. Thank you, Coran." Keith said quickly. Not looking forward to another trip to the pod. He could feel the princess's eyes on him from the corner of his eye. So he kept his own trained to the floor.
"I hate to interrupt." Kolivan began as Shiro opened his mouth to argue with Keith. "But we have little time to decide if we are to work together or not. The Blade of Marmora intends to bring down Zarkon's reign with or without your help." Although his tone was calm there was a hint of impatience in his face and words.
"Voltron wants the same thing." Coran piped up for the first time conversing directly with Kolivan. "We are on the same side. Perhaps we can discuss our plan together as allies." Allura shot Coran a look that he pretended not to notice.
With that, the team sat together as Kolivan explained the mission of the Blades and what they were tasked to do next. Keith however didn't relax his muscles. he could feel the eyes of the princess on him and it showed anything but kindness. Even the other Paladins would occasionally throw glances at him, although none of them addressed him directly making him feel more isolated than ever.
Perhaps he should have talked to the others about this earlier. maybe then their reaction wouldn't have bothered him so much.