Author's Note: I started writing this series /way/ before we knew what the Paladins called each of their Lions, so here's how I wrote the Lions in this series:

Black - girl

Blue - girl

Green - boy

Gold - boy

Red - boy

Sorry for any confusion. Honestly, the specific gender of each Lion totally didn't strike me as vital for getting to know the Lions as characters overall. :-) Enjoy the lion cuddles. They're so freaking cute.

As Blue landed in her bay, Red immediately curled around her, trying to warm her with his body. At the unusually gentle gesture from her old friend, Blue felt slightly confused, and she raised her head to try and look at him out of the corner of her eye.

Red…what…are you…

Red nudged her side and growled, but it wasn't a commanding growl. If anything, he sounded like he never planned to be annoyed at her again.

Rest, Blue. It is all right. You are safe.

But…my pilot…

-is safe, and will be well. Even now, he receives the treatment he needs.

Blue trusted Red, she did, but she had to ask. Her pilot had been so weak, in so much pain. She had to know if he would indeed be well.

…are…you…certain…?

Red growled again, but it was a sound that signified absolute certainty, and he pressed his nose against Blue's side again as if the contact with her might help convince her that he spoke truth.

I swear that it is so.

Blue felt so tired, more tired then she ever had before, but Red's words helped the fear inside her to recede.

…good…

She felt herself begin to drift off to sleep, but then Red was calling her name, worry in his voice once more, and a growing dread that she dimly remembered hearing once before, back when she and her Paladin had been fading in the hold of the witch's ship.

Blue?! Blue, you must not fade - no - please, Blue! BLUE!

At the worry in his voice, Blue forced herself to concentrate, to listen to his words.

Blue - if you fade now, your Paladin fades with you - you must stay strong - please - what - what can I do -

Blue stirred, and it took most of her remaining strength to answer.

…I…am…cold…

Usually, she liked the cold…she was the Guardian Spirit of the Water…after all…but this cold…it felt…dark…and…unkind…and she could not keep from shuddering.

Sensing her discomfort, Red let out a roar, and the sound was so loud, it shook the Castle. If she could have, Blue would have tried to nudge him with her shoulder, to show him that there was no need for this worry, that she would…and her Paladin…would be…absolutely…fine…but it was getting harder to think clearly.

Dimly, Blue heard and felt movement around her, and thought that perhaps, Red was taking her…somewhere…larger than her own bay…and then someone - oh - that was Black - was purring something encouraging to her.

Blue concentrated, and with great effort, she opened her eyes and realized that she was surrounded by the other Lions of Voltron, in Black's own bay. Red must have taken her there.

Gold lay beneath Blue's front paws, curled so that he warmed her heart, and Red and Green were either side of her, and it was then that Blue realized that Black was curled around them all.

Well…that made sense…Black was…the largest…of them…all…

Now Black was saying something to her, and Blue made an effort to listen, because Black was…so nice…and so kind…Blue was glad that Black…finally had…a Paladin…worthy of her…

Blue, we're here, we're all right here. We're going to stay with you until you feel better.

…oh…thank you…

Yellow rumbled a purr and asked Blue if she was comfortable, if she was feeling any warmer.

Yes…I…do feel…a bit…better…

Then Green was asking if Blue wanted to stay awake, or sleep, and Blue wasn't sure which she should do.

By her other side, she felt Red's restless energy and concern make him twitch in agitation, and when she didn't answer Green's question right away, he called her name again.

Blue!

….oh…what.. is it…Red…

If you are still cold, I can -

Blue felt Black raise her head in sudden concern.

No, Red, we can't just set the castle on fire -

When Red replied, he sounded insulted.

I was not going to suggest that - I am not stupid!

Blue felt Black let out a purr of what might have been relief.

Good.

Blue thought that Red smirked then, and when he replied, she heard Green chuckle.

But I could -

Yellow joined in the laughter when Black sighed and replied.

Yes, Red, I know you could, but please don't.

Blue ventured a purred chuckle of her own, and at the sound, she felt everyone's attention turn to her, felt their love and concern as if it were a blanket, warm and enveloping and soft.

Oh, how she loved them.

She wished she could say as much, but like her Paladin, she sometimes struggled to express how she truly felt.

So instead, she made a joke.

…perhaps… Red …should…have…the name…Pyro…instead of…his Paladin…

At her side, she felt Red stiffen.

And take away his name? Blue, you jest!

Blue chuckled then, and she felt Red slouch and glower.

Oh. You were jesting.

Of course she was! Green said, and Yellow purred and flicked his tail affectionally so it intertwined with Blue's own. It is her nature to do so.

Don't I know it, Red growled, but Blue felt him huddle closer to her all the same.

Even though Blue knew it would take time for both her and her Paladin to fully recover from the witch's spell, at the moment, she felt safe, and warm, and happy.

She could rest.

Aw, all the cute Lions are giving Blue a hug. I love them.

There may be more 'bonus scenes' for this fic in the future, but I am on FIRE with the next two stories in the series.

Get it? Red Lion? On fire?

Geez, now he's glaring at me. Sorry, Red.

Next one: Fluff. The one after that: ANGST.

Hopefully I can get these both posted very soon. :-) Let me know what you think - I absolutely LOVE reading your comments!