Author's Note: It is done! Sorry for the long wait, but I wanted to make certain this story was entirely written before I began posting. For new readers, I should mention that this story was plotted out and mostly written before season 2 came out, so there are going to be HUGE differences then what had happened in the show especially regarding Allura's reaction to certain reveals in the plot. However, that is the beauty of AUs. ^_~ Hope you all enjoy this!

Chapter 1

Shiro did his best to keep his arm still as he watched Hunk poke at the inner wires. He was uneasy letting his young friend at it since they barely knew how Galran technology worked. Last thing they needed was for Shiro's cyberarm to blow up or start a fire, but after Hunks' must pestering Shiro surrendered to let him help.

Besides, the noise was driving him crazy.

Hunk rehooked another wire before leaning back and removed his goggles. "Okay, try it now, Shiro."

Shiro raised his arm and attempted to rotate it in a circle, but ceased as the dreaded grinding sound return. He grimaced as he flexed his hands and Hunk ran his hand through his hair.

"Dang it," Hunk grumbled, "thought I had it."

"Least I can move it," Shiro said with a half smile. "Before I could only do it halfway before it jammed up."

"Yeah, but I'm betting that will only start up again since the sound is still there," Hunk muttered.

"And what exactly are you guys doing?" Lance asked as he poked his head in. "And why did I hear a cat dying a moment ago?"

Shiro gave a small laugh as he raised his human hand. "That was me," he said. "My arm has been acting up a bit since the fight."

It was hard to believe it was only a few days ago, but that had been a long battle. Granted, it was a bit harder to believe they currently had Thace, a Galran, recovering in one of the healing pods. Shiro was still trying to wrap his mind around that.

Lance pulled up a chair. "What did you do? Pull a wire or something?"

"We're not entirely sure and have been trying to figure that out," Hunk explained as he leaned back. "If Shiro rotates his arm it starts jamming up and makes that grinding sound. I've seemed to have only solved half the problem though."

Lance grasped his chin. "Don't suppose you got Pidge's opinion on this?"

"Already did," Shiro said as he rubbed his neck. "And she thinks the best way to figure out the problem would be to take it apart..but we're reluctant to do that."

There was no guarantee they would be able to put it back together if they did, and that would leave Shiro without a weapon. Although, he rather disliked having to depend on the constant reminder of his time as a prisoner.

"Yeah, I can understand that," Lance said as he took a seat. "Where is Pidge anyway?"

"Went to check on Keith," Hunk said as he took up another tool. "He wasn't in his room or training so we assumed he went to see how Thace was doing."

Shiro frowned at that. "Keith's been doing that alot."

"Yeah," Lance agreed, "and maybe it's just me, but is anyone else think something happened between them?"

"It's not just you," Shiro commented. "I've noticed it too."

Keith was doing this best to hide it, but Shiro recognized the signs instantly. The fidgeting, the tapping of his feet, how Keith tried to avoid the subject of Thace altogether. Keith was anxious and somehow it was connected to Thace.

Shiro didn't want to assume, especially since Thace was their only connection to the Galra resistance currently, but he was beginning to wonder if he was going to have to have words with him when he recovered.

Hunk chewed his bottom lip. "There...is something going on between them," he said slowly, but raised his hands as Lance and Shiro turned to him. "But I have no clue what though. At least not much."

"What do you mean?" Shiro asked as he leaned over the table.

Hunk sighed as he rubbed his neck. "It might be nothing...except when we were at the rebel's base, it was clear Keith was angry with Thace about something, but Ford told me that I needed to stay out of it."

Well, that only makes me more suspicious, Shiro thought as his lips pressed flat together.

Lance raised an eyebrow. "Do you think Pidge knows? I've noticed they've been whispering to each other an awful lot since they did they're little solo adventure to find the rebels."

"If she does, it doesn't change that we have to respect Keith's privacy, at least for now," Shiro stated.

He had sensed something had been bothering Keith for a while, but being typical stubborn Keith, Shiro had no choice but to wait until the boy was ready to reveal what it was.

Lance gave a pout before slouching in his seat. "Yeah, okay, but I still think-"

"Paladins," Allura's voice echoed over the intercom. "I suggest you come to the healing pods. Thace is due to be waking up momentarily."

Shiro exchanged a look with Lance and Hunk as he sighed. "Better patch me up, Hunk," Shiro replied. "We got someone to greet."

"Yeah, sure," Hunk said as he reached for the pieces. "We'll tinker more with this later. I'm sure we'll figure out why it's jamming."

Shiro gave a nod, but frankly his arm was the last thing he was concerned about.

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Keith drummed his fingers against his elbow as he tried to calm his nerves. He'd been trying not to think about Thace and the questions swarming around his head for the last couple of days, and that had been nearly impossible.

He found himself wandering back to the healing pods to check up on Thace. However, time was up and he would be waking up any moment. Keith silently watched Coran and Allura go over the monitor, both oblivious to the storm of nerves he was feeling inside.

"Hey," Pidge said as she poked his side. "Relax, it's not like you can jump him with questions the second he gets out...Okay, you could, but assuming you don't want an audience around to hear it."

Keith sighed. "No, you're right." He tucked his hands into his jacket pockets. "I...just can't help it."

Pidge patted his shoulder and Keith gave a half smile. I'm glad I at least told, Pidge, he thought. She had been a vital support for him the last few days. He would have gone crazy without it.

He then heard the doors opened and glanced behind to see Shiro, Lance and Hunk enter.

"So, he's going to wake up finally?" Lance asked as he gave the pod a quizzed look.

"Just about," Allura stated as Coran checked the monitor. "With that said, I would like to remind you all that he is our guest and we must treat him with respect, especially if we hope to form an alliance with the resistance."

"We know, Allura," Shiro said, firmly. "We'll..do our best to make him feel welcome."

Keith kept quiet as he returned his gaze to the healing pod. He knew it couldn't be simple for Shiro to have an actual Galran in the castle with them, even if he was accepting to the Galran rebellion now. Good guy or not, Thace was a reminder of what the empire did to him.

The beeping of the healing pod awoke Keith from his thoughts and he turned back in time to see the pod open. The air hissed as Thace staggered forward and gripped the sides of pod for balance.

Thace looked confused as he gazed around the group, but it seemed to fade as he gripped his head.

"Dare I ask how long I was in there?" he asked.

"About two days," Coran stated as he moved to steady him. "Will admit, the first experience with the healing pod can leave someone feeling out of sorts at first."

"I can see that," Thace said as he looked to Coran and raised an eyebrow. "Um…"

"That is Coran," Allura stated as she stepped forward, "You already know my paladins, and I am Princess Allura." She took a small bow. "You are currently in the Castle of Lions. Welcome to our home."

Thace shut his eyes and nodded. "Yes, I remember," he said as he straightened his posture. "Thank you, Princess. I realize my presence puts you and the paladins in an..awkward position."

"Not at all, it's the least we could do," Allura said as she stepped back. "And, it is Keith who deserves your thanks. If not for him, you wouldn't even be here."

Keith shifted uncomfortably as Thace locked eyes with him. "We..kind of already established that."

"Not directly," Thace admitted, "but the Princess is correct nonetheless. So, thank you, Keith."

Pidge cleared her throat. "Yeah, so..uh, I bet there's A TON of stuff for you and Keith to catch up on, eh?" she said as she gently jabbed Keith's arm.

Keith shot her a look, but said nothing. She's not wrong, he thought. He noticed Thace went a little tense.

"Actually, I think it would be best if we let Thace recover a bit," Coran interrupted. "He has been in the healing pod for a couple of days, which we know can be quite draining."

"I believe that is a wise decision," Allura added. "We'll have Coran show you to the room you'll be staying in."

Thace tossed a glance to Keith before giving a nod to Coran. "I wouldn't mind a quiet place to...collect my thoughts."

"Then follow me," Coran said as he lead the way. "Afterwards, I shall show you where the kitchen is to get something to eat."

Thace said nothing as he trailed after the Altean, and almost made certain to not look directly at Keith.

"I better go with them," Hunk said as he left. "If Coran's idea of 'food' is the space goo...then betting Thace might want some better options."

"Go ahead," Shiro said with a nod. "Just..be careful, okay?"

Hunk paused slightly, but gave a nod before chasing after Coran and Thace. Allura then turned to the other paladins.

"You're all free to go and do what you wish since Thace will need some time to himself," Allura said. "I will call you if anything arises."

"Sounds good to me," Lance said as he rotated his shoulders. "Hey, Pidge up for finishing that checkers tournament we started yesterday?"

"Uh, sure," Pidge replied as she glanced to Keith. "Um...that is unless-"

"I'm good," Keith confirmed with a shrug. "I'll..catch up with you later."

Pidge gave a reluctant frown, but nodded before leaving with Allura and Lance. Shiro lingered as he placed a hand on Keith's shoulder.

"Hey, want to do some sparring?" he asked as he gave a small smile. "I don't know about you, but I feel like I need to be active for a bit."

Keith shut his eyes and gave a small smile. "That sounds good to me," he replied. "I could use the distraction."

Shiro raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask further as he wrapped his arm around Keith's shoulders and lead him out of the room.

Keith kept quiet as he tried to ignore the small knot in his stomach.

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Thace was not quite certain what to expect in the room Coran and Hunk escorted him to. From what he saw it was a moderate size, and had the basic needs of a bed, a closet and a couple of small chairs to fit it. To him, it was certainly much more well furnished than his room back on the rebel base was.

He was slightly surprise to see the desk and chair in the corner, but he was even more astounded to see the four tiny mice sleeping on the bed.

"Off, off," Coran scolded as he shook a finger and the mice yawned. "This room is for guests and not for small furry creatures. You got plenty of other rooms to nap in."

The biggest mouse gave a yawn, but then noticed Thace and squeaked in alarm.

"No, no, it's cool guys," Hunk said as he kneeled to them. "This is Thace and he's our own side."

The mice froze as they locked their tiny gazes onto the Galran. Thace did his best to not look intimidating, but he knew from past experience that was not a simple endeavour. However, the mice seemed to relax once they glanced to Coran for confirmation, before sighing and then promptly scampered off the bed.

"I didn't realize there were mice here," Thace said as he stared at the little creatures sitting on the floor.

"They're harmless," Hunk explained. "Well..I mean, you probably knew that. I mean mice can't really hurt you...although I suppose they could bite your toes? Wait, do Galra have toes? Is that a thing?"

Thace couldn't resist giving a small smirk. It wasn't the first time he had been asked such odd questions. "Yes, we do," he said and then cleared his throat. "I do appreciate you letting me stay here until I can contact the resistance."

He gave a wince as he glanced to Coran. "I fully realize my presence here no doubt makes you, the princess and Shiro...uncomfortable to say the least."

He imagined that was putting it lightly. Zarkon was the sole reason the Alteans no longer had a home. Thace wasn't certain he could be as welcoming if he was in their shoes. Then there was the Shiro, the Black Paladin. He caught the anxious look in the young human's eyes and it didn't take much for Thace to deduce why.

Coran offered a small smile. "There's no denying there is some adjustments to be made, but that is also part of fighting in a war."

"Indeed," Thace replied. He could understand that.

Hunk coughed as the mice climbed up his pants to be up on his shoulders. "So, how about I bring you some food? I don't know exactly what Galrans eat, but if you know any recipes, I can do my best to make them."

Thace offered a small smile as he sat down. "I've never had the skill for cooking and I only know one recipe that's very basic."

He wasn't terrible, but Thace wasn't a master either. Granted, his mate certainly had never complained about his cooking, although she had questionable tastes at times.

Hunk's eyes lit up. "Would you mind telling me anyway? I've kind of been collecting them." He glanced to Coran and whispered. "I'm trying my best to find food that isn't...Altean cuisine."

"I heard that," Coran chimed briskly with a huff. "And I'll have you know I have a perfect recipes that would give a Galran all the nutrition they would need."

Thace did his best to keep his expression neutral. Altean food, while hardly devoured anymore was legendary for it's..unique flavors. Thace had once ate an Altean dish thanks to a dare in his youth. It was memorable to say the least.

"I will write it down for you," Thace said.

"That be great," Hunk said as he reached inside his vest for a pad of paper and a pen, while they both ignored the huff Coran gave.

Thace took the pen and did his best to keep his writing legible as he wrote out the recipe. He deemed it was a success when he handed it back and Hunk gave a curious nod.

"Oh, a soup recipe? Huh, I don't have any of those yet," he muttered. "That's useful."

"I wrote down some Earth equivalents for the ingredients if that is helpful," Thace said.

Hunk's eyes lit up at that. "That is actually.." He paused as he folded his arms. "How do you know about Earth food?"

Thace turn his gaze away from Hunk as he rubbed his eyes. "It's a long story."

And one I haven't even told Keith yet, he thought, bitterly.

Hunk seemed tempted to ask more, but was promptly cut off by Coran.

"Well, let's let the man have his rest," Coran said as he escorted Hunk out of the room. "Feel free to summon us or any of the others if there is something you need.

Thace gave a nod as he watched them leave and didn't lean back in the chair until the door shut.

He gave a sigh as he shut his eyes to rest. Thace had a feeling he would need it before the day was over.