It began in the way that these things sometimes do. By someone else’s nosiness and unasked for judgment.
In this case, it was judgment from Sessoa, a woman who had proven to Keith that no matter where you are, even if you’re in space, there will always be someone who thinks they know what choices you should make with your life better than you.
She had just stopped criticizing his mistake in going from being a Paladin to joining the Blade, when she turned her attention to the Blade’s leader.
“And really,” she said with a disapproving huff, “if that man is going to continue leading the Blade, he really needs to find someone to help him with his fur. It’s simply not in the state I would expect from someone in his position.“
Keith stiffened, protective anger instantly sending him on the defensive. "Kolivan has personally planned and overseen more successful missions then any commander before him. He was instrumental in the forming of the Coalition with Voltron. Not only has he always appeared professional, if his fur isn’t ‘up to standard’ in some people’s opinion, it’s because he’s worried more about keeping people alive then the state his fur is in.”
Keith clenched his hands to try to reign in his temper, trying to keep his voice polite. This was the wife of a pretty important ally to the Blade, but he had never been good at holding back when it came to protecting the people important to him.
And Kolivan had become very important to him.
Sessoa’s mouth fell open, revealing her three rows of sharp teeth, “Well, I’m very sure that’s true, but there was no need to be so rude- I was only expressing my concern for your commander! At his age, he really should have a mate by now.”
Keith’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. A mate? What did that have to do with-
“Keith!” Kolivan’s voice called at that moment, bringing Keith’s attention to where his commander was now waiting by the door- looking as put together and attractive as ever, thank you very much-, “It’s time to go.”
Keith composed himself and said a quick, polite goodbye to Sessoa before raising his hood and joining Kolivan at the door.
His mind, however, was still circling around mates and Kolivan’s fur.
He didn’t get a chance to ask Kolivan about the things Sessoa had said until a few days later, after a mission to free a colony just outside of the Coalition’s growing sphere of influence.
When he asked, Kolivan went completely still and expressionless, and Keith immediately regretted his question. Kolivan had been uncharacteristically open before Keith had decided to bring up the issue, even smiling at a joking comment Keith had made about one of the Blade’s techs. Now, however, Kolivan was more closed off than ever, impossible to read and leaving Keith unsure as to how he should be reacting.
“Sessoa is well-intentioned but known for sticking her nose into matters they don’t belong in.” Kolivan said finally, “Disregard what she told you.”
“But,” Keith said, some part of him not wanting to let go of the topic just like that, “What is wrong with you fur that she would even notice something ‘not up to standard’ about it?”
Kolivan’s frown, if possible, deepened, “There are some grooming procedures that I neither have time for nor anyone else regularly on base to help me with. While grooming is an important part of Galra culture, it is only meant to be done amongst very close friends, family, or mates.”
“I can help you!” Keith burst out, the sudden exclamation surprising even him, “I mean, I’m probably around you more than anyone else, and- You’re probably one of the closest friends I- I may not even mean that much to you, I’m probably just a- but-“ Keith abruptly shut up, choking back the rest of the gargled words trying to break out, bowing his head and avoiding Kolivan’s eyes, “I’m sorry.” He finished, subdued and quiet.
He flinched as he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, before feeling Kolivan’s hand on his shoulder.
Kolivan’s eyes were softer than Keith had ever seen them, and he froze, spellbound by the warmth in Kolivan’s gaze as he said formally, “I would be greatly honored if you chose to care for my fur.”
Keith, speechless, could only nod.
Easy to say, but standing in front of Kolivan, completely alone with him and facing the reality of it? That was a bit harder to swallow. Keith swallowed hard, walking further into the room and opening his mouth to say- something- when Kolivan pulled the top of his Marmora uniform off, leaving his chest (and presumably his back) bare.
Keith swallowed hard again, trying to compose himself and not show any of the attraction that raced through him at seeing Kolivan’s bare chest, the well-defined muscles showing easily through the short fur. Okay, so apparently Keith would be caring for more fur than he had been planning on. That was fine. This was all fine. Keith was going to get through this without showing even a hint of the part of him that was jumping for glee at the thought of being able to put his hands over that much of Kolivan’s body. His very attractive, very toned body, with abs that most human males would trade their right arms for. Keith was going to be fine.
Yeah, because I’ve ever been that lucky, Keith thought bitterly, picturing a steel door and trying to slam it shut on his inappropriate attraction. Kolivan was turning to Keith for help. The last thing he needed was Keith perving all over him in lieu of actually helping.
