Black, Green and Everything in Between Ch.5

Pidge tried to sneak to her room once she got back inside the castle, but was caught by Allura who looked excited. "Pidge! How did it go?!"

"Umm..fine, I guess," Pidge shrugged, "I got to see the inside of one of their ships and saw some robots, which were pretty strong despite having a small frame."

"What about Prince Buteo," Allura pressed.

"I don't know, I couldn't tell if he was having fun or not," Pidge told her. "He's probably use to seeing all that stuff."

Allura couldn't help but feel disappointed even through she knew Buteo wouldn't do anything.

"By the way, is it true the ore they mine here was used for the metal to make Voltron," Pidge questioned, remembering what Buteo told her.

"I believe it was used for the exoskeleton's for the lions," Allura informed Pidge, "Their metal is some of the strongest in the universe."

"Pidge, you're back," Lance acknowledged walking up to them, "How was your date?"

The green paladin blushed, "It wasn't a date, he just showed me around," she insisted.

"Don't let him get to you Pidge," Shiro announced, "He's just jealous that he wasn't allowed to leave the castle.

Pidge snickered at that, "What did he do?"

"Nothing," Lance said defensively, "It was Keith's fault since he thought we should spy on you! Then suddenly none of us were allowed to leave!"

"I didn't want any of you to ruin Pidge's time with Prince Buteo," Allura declared.

Shiro knew it was kind of his fault, since Keith only didn't trust the prince because he thought he didn't trust the prince. "It's not a big deal Lance, maybe you can explore the next planet we stop at."

"Yeah, but it probably won't have hot angel babes," Lance muttered, wishing he had a chance to talk to some of the Accipitridaen women.

Shiro gave Lance a disapproving look before looking at Pidge, "Are you hungry," he asked, knowing she had breakfast with Buteo but not sure if she ate since then.

"Yeah, but I have some fruit with me," Pidge told him, showing her bag, "I'm going to work on some coding before going to bed."

"And by that you mean you're going to work all night until you pass out," Shiro lightly teased, use to finding her sleeping in random places instead of her room.

Pidge blushed at that, "I'll do the work in my room this time," she said heading to her room. She wished she didn't keep falling asleep at random places since it probably made Shiro view her as a little kid. Through with their height difference he might already see her as one. Pidge's height had never really bothered her as Katie, and no one mentioned it when she became Pidge. But her short arms were often a problem.

She sighed and munched on some fruit, keeping her laptop at a safe but reachable distance so she wouldn't get juice on it. There was no reason to doubt herself, she has proven herself in battle, she shouldn't feel bad just because of a silly crush.

------

Shiro woke up in a good mood that morning. He was glad they were finally heading back into space. The black paladin kept telling himself that it wasn't safe for them to stay in one spot for too long. But a dark voice in the back of his head told him he just didn't want the prince spending anymore time with Katie.

He went to the control room to see when they would be taking off, only to find the concerned faces of Allura and Coran. "What's wrong?"

"The suppressors," Coran complained with a whine, "They must have taken more damage than we originally thought. Seems like we're stuck here for another day."

"A whole day," Shiro groaned, shoulders slumping.

"I know you don't like the idea of staying put for too long but we need to make sure everything is working before we can take off," Allura said.

"You're right," Shiro sighed. Maybe the prince wouldn't even come by. He was a prince, Buteo was probably busy.

"Good morning," Lance greeted, his face shiny from his face mask.

"Wow, you're up early," Shiro chuckled, " You're even in your armor, what's the occasion?"

"I just thought I could take a quick look around before we had to leave," Lance smiled, meaning he was going to try to find some girls to hit on. He was hoping being a paladin of Voltron would impress them.

"You'll get to do more than a quick look around, we're stuck for another day," Shiro informed him.

"Sweet, now I've got all day to flirt," Lance gleamed.

"You should take Hunk or Keith with you to keep yourself out of trouble," Shiro suggested, worried that Lance might offend someone and end up hurt or in prison. Possibly both.

"But they'll totally throw off my game," Lance whined.

Shiro sighed, wishing Lance wouldn't have such a one track mind.

"Princess, there appears to be someone at the gates," Coran said, pulling up a screen that showed a messenger knocking at the door of the castle, "Please state your business," Coran spoke through the speakers.

"Prince Buteo would like to invite Lady Pidge and her friends to breakfast," the messenger spoke.

Allura was a bit annoyed to just be known as Pidge's friend, since she was a princess, but tried not to let it bother her, "Thank you, we will take you up on his invite."

"Very good, I will wait till you are ready to escort you to the palace," the messenger said.

"Are you sure that's a good idea," Shiro spoke up, "We should probably focus on fixing the suppressors."

"It won't hurt to take Prince Buteo up on his invite, it's rude," Allura responded, "An hour won't make a difference."

Shiro sighed, knowing how stubborn Allura could be and knew she wouldn't drop it, "Alright."

"Good, now wake Keith and Hunk up while I go get Pidge ready," Allura said, only for Shiro to stop her.

"You don't need to dress Pidge up, just let her wear what she's comfortable in," Shiro told Allura, "Unless breakfasts are formal as dinners."

Allura pouted but promised to not force Pidge into a dress if she didn't want to wear one. Soon they were all gathered up, wearing their usual clothes, through Coran had to argue with Keith about taking his knife with him. Shiro finally convinced him to leave the knife since they made the messenger wait long enough.

The messenger was a lovely young lady so Lance wasted no time rushing to her side and laying on the charm. The messenger girl either didn't understand what he was trying to say or just ignored them, leading them all to the castle. Buteo was outside waiting for them, which Shiro thought was weird but thought maybe it was custom to meet visitors outside.

"Good morning Lady Pidge," Buteo greeted, flashing her a charming smile and taking her hand, "Let me escort you to the dining hall."

Shiro really hoped it would just be breakfast, noticing how the prince rubbed circles on her hand with his thumb. Pidge thought it was a little strange but wasn't sure if it was normal or not for them so she didn't pull her hand away. She didn't want to seem rude.

Lance kept trying to flirt with the messenger girl, who just flew off without a word since her job was done. "See you around," Lance called out, hoping to get her attention before turning his to Hunk, "Think I came on too strong?"

Once again Pidge was seated next to Buteo, who pretty much ignored the rest of them in favor of Pidge. As excited as Allura had been to see that Buteo liked Pidge, she couldn't help but be annoyed that she wasn't getting the royal treatment. Not that she needed it, but she would appreciate it at least being offered.

Keith ate his food cautiously while staring suspicious at the prince. He was worried Buteo might be plotting against them, but what reason would he have to focus all his attention on Pidge? He just seemed so fascinated by Pidge, looking at her fondly as she ate and wiped juice off with her sleeve.

Shiro couldn't help but notice the way Buteo looked at Pidge, feeling a little angry. What right did he have to look at her like that? He barely knew Pidge and didn't even know her real name!

'Don't you wish you could wipe that look off his face?'

The black paladin almost jumped, looking around to see who said that but found everyone acting normal. He then realized the voice was his. Shiro tried to relax, gasping when he saw that his metal hand was glowing, like it was ready to attack.

"Shiro, what's wrong," Keith questioned, having heard him gasp, then saw his hand.

"I'm sorry, I got to go," Shiro said, getting up and leaving without any explanation. Once he was outside the castle he leaned against the wall, breathing heavily to try and calm down, sighing in relief when his hand stopped glowing. Something was wrong with him.

But what?