Chapter Text
Shiro was so done with their shit.
Lance and Keith would not stop bickering, and it was getting worse. They were in love with each other, anyone could see that, and they’d both only just realised it. Instead of doing the sane thing and confessing, or at least trying to get along, every blush or sideways glance turned into an argument.
“What are you looking at mullet-head?” Lance asked, he’d caught Keith staring at him for the fourth-time today. They were in the lounge, taking a break, and Keith had been admiring Lance with a small contented smile on his face. The moment Lance had called him out a scowl spread across his features.
“The wall, don’t flatter yourself,” Keith snapped back. Pidge looked up from her laptop, ready to enjoy another fight.
Lance laughed, “got a crush on it?”
Keith rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “yes, Lance, I have a crush on the wall.”
“Oooo, Keith has a crush on the wall! Keith has a crush on the wall! Keith has a crush on the wall!” Lance yelled out, turning to Hunk for support.
“Would you shut-,” Keith tried to say, but Lance began to yell harder.
“Keith has a crush on the wall! Keith has a crush on the wall!”
“Shut up!” Keith yelled. Shiro held back a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. What were they? Five?
“Keith has a crush on the wall!”
“I said shut up!” Keith shouted, grabbing Lance’s shirt. Shiro could feel a headache starting.
“You shut up,” Lance retorted.
“Why don’t you make me?” Keith growled, and a dash of pink spread across Lance’s face, before he shoved Keith away. Which Keith took as the start of a fight, so he lunged back at Lance.
Shiro gave in to the compulsion and groaned into his hand as he watched them. He knew he should stop them, but he’d already broken up three physical fights, and had to stop five verbal ones today. He couldn’t take much more of this, and no one else was helping. Pidge clearly enjoyed the fights, and Hunk always took Lance’s side. Allura and Coran seemed to have come to the conclusion that this was normal human courting behaviour, not matter how much Shiro tried to convince them it wasn’t.
Shiro growled in frustration.
The room went silent. He looked up to see what had stopped them, everyone was looking at him.
“You okay Shiro?” Hunk asked, he had his arms raised slightly, palms splayed out flat towards Shiro.
Shiro blinked in confusion, “yeah, fine, why?”
“You growled,” Keith said. He sounded breathless. It took Shiro a moment to process that, then a blush of embarrassment spread across his face. He hadn’t realised he’d done it.
“Shi- Sorry! I didn’t mean to-,” He apologised, feeling mortified. Only brutes growled, and then only to other alpha’s, not to omega’s. His mother had always taught him that no alpha worth anything growled at an omega. It was an antiquated idea, one that came from the belief that you should never hit an omega, but it had been ingrained in Shiro from a very young age. Shiro believed that if you were going to hit someone, but their gender, or secondary gender, stopped you, then you didn’t have a good enough reason to hit them. Despite this, there was something about growling, and how it connected with alpha’s enforcing their will on omega’s that kept his mother’s stern, yet old fashioned, advice stuck in his mind.
Shiro’s flustered apology dispelled the tension in the room, and Lance backed off from Keith.
“I shouldn’t have been so loud, my bad,” he said, voice husky as he tilted his head to the side, exposing his neck. Shiro swallowed thickly at the sight.
‘He’s submitting to you’ a little voice in Shiro’s head said, ‘he’s yours.’
The sudden thought made Shiro freeze. ‘Yours’ it sounded so appealing, but it was possessive in a primal alpha way. Something that Shiro tried not be. Besides, Lance and Keith wanted each other. They could never be his.
“It’s fine,” Shiro said, “I just- I need to blow off some steam, get rid of a little frustration.”
“I think we all do. There’s been some extra frustration lately,” Pidge concurred, staring at Lance and Keith as she emphasised her words.
Shiro gave her a knowing smile, which she returned, before he added, “I’m going to head to the training deck, beat everything out into one of the gladiators.”
Lance sniggered, clearly making a dirty joke out of Shiro’s words.
Keith rolled his eyes and muttered, “I’ll join you.”
“Oh! Me too,” Lance piped up, grin on his face. Keith’s look soured, but he didn’t object.
“Anyone else want to join?” Shiro asked, looking to Pidge and Hunk. He secretly hoped they would, alone time with Lance and Keith would make more headaches, especially if it involved training.
“Yeah, sure. Why don’t we make it a group thing?” Hunk said, probably out of sympathy for Shiro’s soon to be plight. Pidge nodded, but she didn’t look enthusiastic.
“Team exercise it is then,” Shiro announced. With thinly veiled distaste Pidge put her computer aside and slid off the couch, before heading towards the training room. Hunk, Lance, and Keith followed after her out of the room, and Shiro bought up the rear.
The training room was empty when they got there. For a moment, everyone paused, unsure of what to do. Allura and Coran were the only ones who know how to summon or set the gladiator levels. They had yet to show any of the Paladins.
“We’ll do some one to one sparing,” Shiro instructed, making the quick decision not the bother either of the alteans. The team nodded in acceptance, but before Keith or Lance could make the disastrous decision to fight one another Shiro interjected.
“Keith, you’re with me. Hunk, Lance, you two pair up. Pidge you mind sitting out this round?” Shiro asked, giving her a sly smile as she clearly did not mind.
“Oh, what a shame,” she drawled sarcastically before plopping herself down next to the wall, “I’ll referee.”
“Sure,” Shiro agreed, knowing that she would do nothing of the sort.
Lance was pouting as he asked, “we’re going to switch partners later, right?”
‘Damn’ Shiro couldn’t help but think. He really didn’t want to have to break up the inevitable real physical fight that Lance and Keith sparing would cause.
“After a couple of rounds I’ll swap with Hunk,” he answered, and that seemed to brighten Lance’s mood enough that he didn’t push the issue, at least not at the moment.
“Bayard’s?” Keith asked, and Shiro shook his head, “okay, but no arm then.”
Shiro chuckled lightly, “no light up arm. I’m not fighting you one handed.”
“Afraid you’ll lose?”
“Afraid I’ll hurt your pride too much when I beat you,” Shiro quipped, before lunging at him. Keith spun to the side, out of Shiro’s path, but he’d been expecting that, and was already putting on the breaks, changing his momentum towards Keith again.
Shiro used his foot to pivot, bringing his still moving leg around into a roundhouse kick. In that short time, Keith had lunged forwards as well. Causing them to collide, thigh hitting upper arm.
If Keith had been taller, or stronger, he might have won that clash. Instead Shiro bought Keith crashing to the floor. He had a momentary advantage, and he clung to that.
Slamming his foot into the ground he regained his balance, and then dove for Keith, knees hitting the ground either side of Keiths thighs. With trained and unfortunately well experienced hands Shiro grabbed Keiths arms, pulling them back to trap them against his lower back, and then using his own weight to keep them in place.
“I win,” Shiro said, words forming around a grin.
Keith grunted in disagreement and twisted, testing Shiro’s hold. In response, his grip tightened, and he pushed more of his weight onto Keith, pinning him into the floor.
That earned Shiro a second grunt, and Keith squirmed, trying to push himself up. He only succeeded in pushing himself against Shiro.
The display sent blood pooling to Shiro’s groin. Something he was sure Keith could feel, but the omega pushed back harder, surprising Shiro, and causing him to loosen his grip slightly. It gave Keith the chance to wriggle forwards, out from under Shiro’s full weight. His heart picked up at the realisation that his prey was getting free. He gripped tighter, pulled Keith back, and surged himself forwards, slamming his full weight against Keith as he ground down against him.
If Keith hadn’t felt how hard he was before he had to now, Shiro made sure of it.
“Stay down,” Shiro growled, gripping harder, pressing harder. He could feel Keith panting beneath him, fast and deep.
He leaned in closer, face hovering over Keith’s neck, where tiny beads of sweat were beginning to form.
“Shiro?”
His head snapped up to stare directly into Hunk’s concerned face. Suddenly, the realisation of what he was doing hit him.
He pulled his chest weight back and let go of Keith’s arms.
“Sorry! Did I hurt you?”
“No…I’m…fine,” Keith replied, breathless. He didn’t try to push himself up off the floor, and Shiro had the sudden urge to grind. Which made him realise that, although he’d let go of Keith, his hard dick was still pressed against Keith’s ass.
A flush of embarrassment shot across Shiro’s cheeks, and he nearly jumped off Keith.
“Sorry! I didn’t realise-,” he paused as Keith still didn’t get up off the floor, “Keith, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah,” Keith replied weakly, his arms slumped along his lower back as his chest heaved against the floor.
Hunk cleared his throat, “I think you put a little too much command in your voice,” he said gently, making Shiro go a deeper shade of red. He had-
“Ignore it! Ignore the order! I’m so sorry Keith. I’m so, so sorry,” Shiro blabbered. He had just done everything he hated in alpha’s. Gone against everything he prided himself in.
Keith slowly got himself from off the floor. He shook his head at Hunk’s outstretched hand, opting for his own hands and feet.
From the side, Lance snorted, “way to go Keith, you’ve made Shiro feel like a dick.”
Keith glared at Lance, but it lacked its usual sharpness. More guilt pooled in Shiro’s stomach.
“I’m sorry,” Shiro started again.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it Shiro,” Keith replied, face pink as he refused to look at the alpha. Shiro’s flush paled, and a lump caught in his throat.
“You don’t need to feel bad, Shiro. Keith is the one being a dick here,” Lance said. Voice laced with annoyance. Shiro gave him a disbelieving look.
“I heard the alpha command too, did you see me lying on the floor?” Lance clarified.
“The command wasn’t directed at you,” Keith bit back.
“I still felt the effects. We’ve both had training to resist the effects alpha commands. You just wanted-.”
“Just shut it!” Keith suddenly yelled. Lance smirked back at him.
Shiro swallowed his guilt, and stepped in as peacekeeper again.
“That’s enough. We’ve all got different tolerance levels,” Shiro paused and looked between the two of the, who glared at each other, “I think we all need to cool off. Trainings over, get to the showers.”
“Sure,” Lance said, sounding suspiciously amiable, “you’re coming too, right Keith? Not like you’ve got a reason not to.” His eyes flicked down and then back up as he spoke.
Keith’s glare grew stronger as he gritted out, “’course I am.”
“I’m going to skip, I’ve got stuff to work on, and I didn’t actually do any training,” Pidge said, speaking up from where she’d been watching them by the wall. Shiro had almost forgotten that she was there.
“That’s fine, see you later,” he said, not missing the light blush that coloured her cheeks.
“Let’s go,” Hunk said, tugging at Lance’s sleeve, pulling him in the direction of the showers, that was situated next to the training room.
Shiro followed after them, and Keith trailed behind.
The showers were communal, without any barriers between the showerheads, or any patricians in changing rooms.
They’d showered together before, but it was usually when they were so exhausted they could barely stand, so thoughts about how naked the others were barely entered their minds, or at least that’s how it usually was for Shiro.
Now with full energy, and after his display with Keith, Shiro was feel significantly more self-conscious about the whole situation. Keith seemed to share his feelings as the red Paladin was taking his clothes off in the far corner of the room, with his back turned to the rest of them.
Lance, in contrast, had practically ripped off his clothes, and was stand completely naked in the centre of the room chatting happily with Hunk, and at Shiro.
“We really need to get Allura to teach us how to use those gladiators,” Lance said as he waited for everyone else to finish undressing. He had one hand on his side thrusted hip, and the other ran through his hair.
“Coran was going to teach me,” Hunk replied, dropping his underwear to the floor.
“Hmmm, well until then,” his eyes suddenly turned to Shiro, “I’m very willing to partner up in any kind of activity.”
An annoyed huff came from Keith’s direction. Lance really needed to stop riling him up, he was obviously getting jealous.
“That’s good to hear,” Shiro said, trying to sound as neutral as possible so as not to antagonise Keith. Lance frowned momentarily, so quick Shiro nearly missed it, and then the grin was back in place.
Shiro knew that he wouldn’t get a straight answer if he questioned it, so he left it in favour of pulling off his own boxers.
“O,” Lance made a high-pitched sound, and Shiro looked at him, raising an eyebrow. Lance was looking back, but his eyes were cast downward.
Shiro sighed and turned away, “Lance, it’s not polite to stare in communal showers.”
Lance ‘eeped’ and spluttered, whilst Hunk gave a laugh full of second-hand embarrassment.
Shiro entered the shower room to get away from Lance’s prying eyes, and stepped up to one of the shower heads. The other Paladins followed him in. Keith entering last again, and taking a corner spot, again.
Touching his hand to the wall, a blast of warm water washed over him. I felt surprisingly cool against his skin, and he wondered if he’d gotten the temperature wrong.
To his left Lance turned on the next shower head, letting the warm water run across his skin, trailing down his back to slip in between his-
Shiro quickly turned his head away.
“Lance!” Hunk barked. Shiro glanced back to see Hunk hopping away from his shower, with Lance’s hand on the temperature controls. He had clearly just turned it to the coldest setting.
Lance laughed back, and flicked some of his own shower water at Hunk.
Shiro jumped as what felt like freezing water splashed against him. How cold did Lance have his shower?
He supressed his urge to reprimand, and made his own shower a little colder. He was sure they would both settle down soon.
Hunk darted away, and Lance chased, turning on every shower he got to, and splashing Hunk with the water.
They reached were Keith was showering quietly, a splash of water missed Hunk, and landed directly in Keith’s face.
“Knock it off!” Keith snapped.
“Lighten up, it’s just water. You’re having a shower anyway.” Lance argued back.
“No, it’s not, it’s annoying.”
In response Lance flicked some more water at Keith. He growled and rounded on Lance.
With a groan Shiro turned away from his own shower and headed towards Lance.
“Lance, stop bothering Keith.”
Lance backed away from Keith as he advanced on him. Shiro reached out a hand as Lance bumped into him. The omega half turned when he felt the skin contact.
Shiro squeezed Lance’s shoulder, “I understand that you’re having fun, but Keith isn’t in the mood for this.”
Lance turned his head away, “I get it,” he muttered.
Shiro leaned in, not believing him.
“Lance I mean it, leave Keith be,” he said.
Lance didn’t reply. A bubble of annoyance rose in Shiro. He leaned in closer, chest pressing against Lances arm. His hand, resting on Lances shoulder, pulled him in closer.
“Lance,” he said, trying to keep the growl out of his tone.
Lance turned away slightly, in response Shiro pulled him further in, making Lance’s thigh brush again his groin.
Shiro noticed that the tips of Lance’s ears were going red. He began to admire the way the water trickled down Lance’s neck, following the rivets of his skin. He wanted to trail those lines.
“Shiro?”
He turned his head up to lock eyes with Hunk. His hand involuntarily tightening on Lance’s shoulder.
“I think you’re a bit close,” Hunk said. Shiro looked down at Lance, pressed against him.
“Oh,” he said, letting go and stepping away. Inside him there was a spark of protest at the action. It drowned out the embarrassment he knew he should be feeling.
Lance let out a nervous laugh, and said, “I’m going to shower now. Uh, quietly.”
He shuffled away, back to where he’d been showering before. Shiro ran a hand through his hair as he watched him go.
The whole room was suddenly boiling, making sweat mix with the water the trailed down his skin. Shiro needed to get out, to get somewhere cooler.
“I…If anyone needs me I’ll be in my room,” Shiro said as he headed for the door. There wasn’t a reply, but he knew from the atmosphere of the room that there were exchanged looks behind him.
He towelled off in the changing room. The usually fluffy fabric felt scratchy against his skin, creating an uncomfortable need to press up against something smooth. With an annoyed noise, he threw away the towel and grabbed his clothes, pulling them on quickly, which was somehow worse. They were confining, restricting. He couldn’t use his full range of movement in them.
He growled, then stopped and glanced around. The others weren’t around to hear it.
Was he setting sick?
He couldn’t afford that, he had to lead Voltron and his team. He needed to be in top shape at all times…maybe a nap would help.
That sounded good, then he’d be rested, and ready to hunt.
He walked out in his disgustingly tight clothes and headed straight for him room.
The room wasn’t any cooler than the rest of the ship, but someone he felt better inside it. There was less of a need to prowl, maybe it was the way the room smelt. The rest of ship was almost clinically clean, and devoid of any scent, but this room smelled of him, and that felt right.
The sudden release of tension made his limbs feel heavy. He sighed and shuffled over to his bed, he needed some sleep. That would get his head working properly. He pulled his shirt off, and flopped down onto the bed. Then he remembered that he was still wearing shoes, so he kicked them off before turning over to doze.
Sleep came easily and quickly.