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Tex had been on the castle ship for about a quintant now and was quickly familiarizing himself with the group of teenagers he found himself living with after having been rescued from a Galra prison cruiser. The busy atmosphere of living with the Voltron paladins was a massive improvement to having been a captive for over a decade, in his personal opinion.
He’ll be the first to admit that the sudden change was taking some time to adjust to, with alarms sounding at all hours, and the natural chaos that comes with any group of people in their late teens who were given free reign and were bonded by unusual circumstances. Circumstances like being kidnapped to space by a giant sentient metal lion, and were now responsible for saving the entire universe. He couldn’t even begin to imagine the pressure these young people were feeling, nor how they appeared to be coping so seamlessly. He was always waiting for the other shoe to drop, to see a crack in the masks supported by these children. Because despite being 16-19 the paladins were children and should not be exposed to the violence and suffering that they had already seen. They were all quickly finding places in his heart that he has always known was too big for his own good. Hell one of them was his kid, who was 8 the last time he saw the boy.
Tex desperately wished that he could just shelter his son from all the evils of the world, and each day he saw his now teenage son, who had grown so much, he regretted that he wasn’t there to protect him and felt immense guilt that he had missed so much. He tried to reason with himself that the situation had been out of his control, but there was no convincing himself. Last night while lying in bed having been unable to sleep from all the thoughts and feelings of guilt bouncing around his head he had decided that he would do everything he could to give these incredible kids the childhoods they were missing by saving the universe.
The first step in his plan was to learn what each kid needed most at the moment. Cause if there’s anything he had learned from his minimal experience as an actual father, and the few other kids he had interacted with, it was that each kid needed a different approach.
Tex had set his mind to re-familiarizing himself with Keith. Keith who had thought he had died, and had spent most of his childhood on earth in the foster care system, bouncing from house to house. Of this Tex was sure, cause his parents had died when Keith was very young, and the rest of his family would not have stepped up to look after the son of their estranged family member. Tex himself hadn’t been welcome in his family ever since he left the military a very long time ago. They did not support his beliefs and there was no chance that they would have accepted his half-alien son; not that they knew that’s what Keith was.
He’d just gotten his son back and already was feeling the headaches caused by the kid coming back. Only now they were multiplied by 5.
He’d gone from alone in a cell to a magical cable ship full of 4 rambunctious teenagers, an alien princess, an eccentric uncle type figure and an overtired babysitter.
PIDGE
His first experience witnessing the true chaos that was team Voltron was the morning after he was rescued. The lead up to breakfast had been a relatively calm affair, with the teenagers stumbling in half-asleep, rubbing their eyes and muttering g’mornings, until they caught sight of Tex seated at the table, when they would perk up minutely.
Each of them taking their seats and sneaking glances at him, and eventually building up the courage to start asking questions.
They had lulled him into a false sense of security with the stolen glances, and hushed whispers. As all of a sudden for no apparent reason the dam broke and a rush of questions spoken over each other flooded his ears.
“How long have you been in space?”
“Why’d you get capture?”
“Did you ever try to escape?”
“Are you just as good at fighting as Shiro or Keith?”
“If you were kept alive as a prisoner does that mean you known something important?”
“What can you tell us about the prisons?”
“Why did you live in the middle of nowhere?”
Feeling run over by the barrage of questions Tex threw up his hands and called for one at a time. After taking a moment to collect his thoughts he began to answer.
“Couldn’t be sure… time’s a mess out here, but imma say bout 15 earth years give er take. As for how I got captured its a story for sure. Has to do with Keith’s Ma and the Blue lion down in yer bay, I’m guessing news travelled despite our efforts and the Galra weren’t a fan of me knowing things they didn’t.” Tex took a deep breath before continuing, “staged a fire I’m guessing and the next think I knew I was in deep space, not even a second to let anyone on earth know what was happening.” He paused once more “of course I tried to escape I didn’t wanna be stuck in jail no more than the next guy, but I also had to do my best ta get back ter Keith, or at least to earth to get some closure.” Turning towards Keith and Shiro he questioned right back “are you both good fighters? I only saw a hint so I’ll have to see more to answer for sure, but I’ve been shown up before. As for important info I think they thought I knew more than I did, really I knew very little, but who knows maybe I know things just not that they’re important. I don’t really feel like talkin’ bout the prison at the moment, if you give me a couple days ta get used to life outside I’ll tell ya more.” Tex started chucking before his next response, “always loved the desert and couldn’t really go to far away from the Garrison cause I was contracted in occasionally for odd jobs and repairs, they also liked havin’ me train the newbies on drivin’ in the cliffs, also the middle a nowhere is where Sam knew to find me if he ever needed to, no questions asked I’d help that man and vice versa.”
Having weathered the brief storm of questions Tex returned to his breakfast while the Paladins digested his answers and his presence at the table some more. His breakfast was made of bright green goo something that concerned him a little bit, but watching all the kids eat it he figured it was fine. At least having been a prisoner he’d eaten worse before.
As breakfast was finished the paladins slowly filled out of the room to complete their tasks for the morning.
Tex was told that he could wander and get his bearings a bit more, so that’s what he did. Checking out all the corners and features offered by the castle-ship.
Eventually he ended up in what appeared to be the programming room or what Tex assumed the room was as it was full of screens and technology beeping away at him when he entered.
Sat directly in the middle surrounded by gadgets that were half deconstructed was Katie - Pidge he reminded himself, not wanting to call the teenager anything other than what they preferred.
He stood in the doorway watching her work away, until she looked up and noticed him. Having been so immersed in work Pidge’s eyes widened at first in surprise at the sight of the unfamiliar man, until she remembered who he was and why he was aboard the castle-ship.
“Hey Tex, whtacha up to? You looking for Keith? Anything I can help with?” Pidge mumbled from under a pile of wires and tools.
Tex was mildly surprised that this young girl was so willing to help him despite being buried in her own work.
“I was just wanderin’ around, tryna get my bearings, didn’t mean ta bother ya, I’m sure he’s busy, I’m also tryna give him some space, he’s been on his own for some time now, it’ll be an adjustment for us both ta be back together.” Tex replied.
“Oh you’re no worse a distraction than Lance, I don’t mind you hanging out here, would even kinda enjoy the company.”
“Well alright then, feel free to ask me anythin’ ya feel like, can’t promise I’ll be of any help at the moment.”
The two sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, broken only by the sounds of Pidge tinkering and typing away, while Tex took in the room.
Pidge kept peeking up from her work, sneaking glances at Tex observing his soundings. She desperately wanted to ask him about his time in the prison and whether or not he had seen her dad and brother, while in space, or even if he had heard anything about them.
Tex of course took notice of the glances his way, he had been a prisoner too long to not have developed skills of noticing when people were watching him. He also had enough people skills left over to know when it was best to let them come to you with their questions instead of pressuring them into asking them. It was now a waiting game. All Tex had to do was sit here and seem nonthreatening to Pidge in the hopes that she would become comfortable and ask the questions he knew she was desperate to ask.
A few more beats of silence passed before Pidge finally broke.
“Hey Tex tell me if I’m crossing a line or anything… but I’m wondering if you’ve seen any other humans out in space… like my dad or maybe even my brother.” She paused hopefully “I just figured since you’ve been out here so long and have been a prisoner you might have crossed paths with them or at least heard news?” Pidge had been looking down at her handles fiddling with a wire, but at this she looked up at Tex with big pleading eyes.
Tex feeling heartbroken that he couldn’t give her any actual hope replied defeatedly “sorry kid y’all are the first people I’ve seen… the last prisoner I heard of was the Champion, but apparently that was Shiro so I guess no luck there.” In a rush he added “but that doesn’t really mean anythin’ I was kept pretty isolated and in the dark about what was going on round the prison.”
Pidge looked on the verge of giving up at this news. Something within Tex’s heart that had always belonged to the people and another part that had been created when he became a father ached for this poor girl who felt alone and abandoned in space.
“Don’t worry though darlin’ I’m sure there out there somewhere still. If I know anything bout Sam its that he wouldn’t give up, and that he’s tryna find a way home to you and yer Ma.” Reaching out to pat the teenager on the shoulder Tex continued “I’m sure yer brother is doing the same, and I’m going to be another person searching from them. I’ll help out however I can and contribute what I know of the Galra 'till we find ‘em.” Pidge looked up at him with tearful eyes “Pidge I promise you we won’t leave space until we wither find them or some more concrete evidence about what happened to them.” Tex stated firmly.
Once he had finished Pidge flung her arms around his neck and started to unleash her tears in heaving sobs.
Wrapping his arms around the child – cause that’s what she was, a child who was carrying an immense amount of pressure on her shoulders – Tex began to comfort her as best he could while confronting the reality that these teenagers were responsible for.
“Pidge I’m here to support you and the others in anyway I can so don’t ever be afraid of coming to me with any worries you have, I understand that this is an almost impossible situation and I will do my very best to get you back to your family no matter what.” Tex whispered to the crying girl.
HUNK
After spending his morning helping Pidge and exploring the many rooms of the castle-ship, and a quick lunch with the entire crew before they dispersed once more, Tex was looking for something to occupy his afternoon.
Just as he was about to go find one of the paladins to ask for a task of some sort, his stomach rumbled. Tex supposed that it had been some time since lunch and that it must nearly be time for dinner. Figuring that if he could find the kitchen he could be of some use by cooking dinner for the team.
With this decision made he set off in search of the kitchen.
Heading in what he believed to be the correct direction, Tex began to hear faint banging of pots and pans. While he was a little disheartened to know that someone had beat him to the task of creating a meal, he continued on. Offering his help to whoever it was was better than nothing at least.
Tex entered the kitchen to find Hunk bent over the counter inspecting rows of spices and pieces of meat.
Tex waited patiently for his presence to be noticed, to no avail. He was begging to question the observational skills of these children. Deciding to alert Hunk of his presence, he cleared his throat.
Surprised Hunk’s head shot up from what had previously held his focus.
“Oh hey Tex!” Hunk exclaimed “I’d wondered where you’d wandered to.”
“Nowhere really… just tryna get my bearings and figure out this place.” Tex shrugged “figured I could be of some use helping rustle up some grub for you youngins.”
“Well in that case welcome, more help in the kitchen is always welcome!” Hunk welcomed Tex’s offer to help “everyone except Shiro of course” he added under his breath darkly.
Tex figured there was a story there and that it was best not to ask about Shiro’s cooking abilities at the moment. Instead he clapped his hands together and asked “Alrighty then what are we cookin’?”
“So I figured I would try and emulate BBQ cause we’ve got these meat cuts that I’m not sure what else to do with, problem is I don’t really know much about BBQ… never managed to learn it before… y’know…everything.” Hunk trailed off.
“Well do I have some good news for you then Hunk, back on earth I was a BBQ master.” Tex explained. “Now, let’s see what we’re workin’ with.”
They both turned towards the counter and the offending pieces of meat.
Working as a team, they began to prepare the cuts and get dinner sorted. During this process they discovered that they made a good team in the kitchen. Hunk knowing the alien spices, flavours and tools, and Tex knowing how to prepare a mean BBQ. Tex would carefully instruct Hunk on the steps he was taking, so that the teen could learn and improve his already impressive skills.
When the meal was finished being prepared, Hunk turned towards Tex. “Thank you for your help I don’t think I would have been able to figure that out on my own.” Hunk breathed relieved that they would have something other than food goo for tonight’s dinner.
“Hey kid no problem at all, I’m just happy to have some BBQ again, I haven’t had it since Earth and Texas.” Tex reminisced. “Actually I think it might have been the last meal I had with Keith before I was taken.” he added lost in thought.
This comment brought forth memories for Hunk of cooking and enjoying meals with his family back before he became a paladin. He missed that, and said as much to Tex.
“I’ve really missed being able to properly share cooking with someone, since we’ve been out here it just hasn’t felt the same” Hunk took a breath before continuing, moving forward to hug Tex. “Thank you Tex, for reminding me about the importance of cooking with others and also for teaching me your Barbecue skills” Hunk laughed.
Patting his back Tex replied “Hey no worries kid I got myself some BBQ outta this deal, and to cook with a real pro. If you ever want any help in the kitchen again I’d be more than happy to offer my services.” Tex grinned at the teenager, releasing him from the embrace.
“Now what do you say we go call the others and serve up this masterful creation?”
“After you” Hunk replied gesturing for Tex to lead the way out of the kitchen.
LANCE
Tex was headed to bed to sleep off the long day. He had been figuring out the paladins and the castle-ship itself. His room was located in the same long twisting hallway as all the kids. He was about to open his door when he heard muffled sniffles, his blasted bleeding heart wouldn’t let him do anything other than go investigate to find out who it was this time that needed comforting.
Hanging his head in exhaustion, he abandoned rest for the next couple doboshes (or however minutes worked in space) and turned down the hallway towards the muffled sound of crying.
Walking a couple doors down he determined the crying to be coming from the Cuban boy’s (Lance he reminded himself) room. Steeling his nerves he took a calming breath before knocking on the door.
A red-rimmed eyed Lance answered the door not looking up from the floor. “Tex?” He questioned in a raw sounding voice.
Now Tex had to figure out a way to get the teen to admit that he had been crying and maybe accept help or guidance from Tex without seeming forceful.
“Hey kid, I thought I heard one of y’all crying and wanted ta check up on ya, I’ve already checked the other’s rooms.” Tex figured this was his best bet. In the short amount of time he had known the kid he had already figured out that Lance liked to push his emotions aside for the needs of others. Tex wanted to give him the opportunity to admit a need for comfort.
“Oh” Lance said still avoiding eye contact “you sure you didn’t miss one of the others?” He asked hoping to get out of an interrogation.
“No Lance, I didn’t miss one of the other’s crying, and I know it was coming from yer room” Tex replied with a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Well damn… I guess you should come in then, if I can’t avoid your questions” Lance sighed defeated, and moving to the side to let Tex through the doorway.
When Tex entered the room the first thing he noticed was the sheer amount of pictures on the walls. He had no idea how the boy had brought them all with him, but that was a problem for another time. Another detail he noticed that within all the pictures were people; people that looked similar to the boy who’s walls they were hung up on.
“That yer family?” Tex asked softly while gesturing towards a group photo he’d seen.
Lance followed his gesture, to find which photo was in question, nodded slowly. Then realizing that Tex who was facing the other way couldn’t see him, cleared his throat and squeaked out a “yea..”
“They look real happy here” Tex continued on hoping to eventually strike a topic that would get the teenager talking. “I’ll just bet you miss them like crazy. I know I missed mine” he finished regrettably not really livening up the mood.
“Its really hard to have been without them for so long, before the longest I’d been away was a semester at the Garrison, but even then I could call and write to them. Now I can’t do that and they probably think I’m dead or worse because I’ve never been silent for this long. And I don’t want them to worry but I don’t want to be forgotten. Really I miss the noise and everyone being around, and the smell of the waves on the beach, and mama’s cooking, and the sounds of rain. I know it sounds horrible but I just want to go home, and don’t care about what happens out here anymore. It was great at first but I’m tired and exhausted and just done with feeling this way. Everyone else on the team is so much more talented and better at being paladins than me, I should just give up and let them fill my spot with someone else.” At this point Lance had begun rambling and wasn’t showing any signs of stopping. He was working himself to tears once more.
Tex in an effort to break this rapidly increasing downward spiral, wrapped his arms around the teenager. Offering whatever little comfort he could.
“Now I know I’m not yer family, but I can tell you that they miss you and don’t believe for a second that you’re gone forever.”
“Really…?” Was Lance’s tearful and skeptical response.
“Yes… I still miss Keith’s Ma ever’ day, and when I was captured I thought of my boy and wished that I could be with him. And now look at us. These things have there way of gettin’ work out.” Tex said confidently, nudging Lance to look at him he continued. “Lance, I will do everythin’ I can ta get ye back ter earth and the beach with yer family.”
Despite Tex’s kind affirmations, Lance still looked doubtful and teary eye’d.
“I know its not easy right now, and its going to be hard for longer still, but Lance m’a boy you’ve gotta keep pushin’ forward, and remember that were all in your corner, I will be here whenever you need ta talk bout them or home, or whatever else it is ya need.” Sensing an objecting Tex added “Nope you’ll never be a bother, come find me anytime.”
Whipping the back of his hand against his cheeks to catch his remaining tears Lance responded “Thanks Tex… that really means a lot, I’ve just been feeling really alone and homesick lately…”
“Y'all are saving the universe, and that’s a real big load ta carry. My job now is to make sure you’re all taken care off cause you’re to busy takin’ care of everyone else ta remember you have needs to.” Tex chuckled good-naturedly at the absurdity of his new role.
Lance nodded tiredly still drying his eyes, but he managed a small smile at this. “Alrighty kid, imma head off ta my room now, unless you need anythin’ else…?” Tex trailed off.
“Nope! I should be okay now, thanks though, I really needed to let some of that go and just talk to someone else who understood.” Lance replied.
As he was leaving Lance’s room Tex turned around once more to remind the boy “anytime and anyplace you come find me if you need to vent again.” He made eye contact with Lance who nodded.
“Night Tex”
After closing the door Tex stood there and took a deep breath, once again marvelling at the strength of these kids and how they had held on so long with no one to help support them, while they carried the weight of the entire universe on their very young shoulders.
KEITH
Tex hadn’t been able to sleep so was wandering the halls in order to familiarize himself with the castle ship and where everything was a bit more than he already had. He’d been walking by what he had learned earlier that day was the training room, when he heard clashes and bangs, checking the time only to find that it was the middle of the night and that no sane human could possibly be awake at the hour that it was. He decided to investigate to see if it was possibly the princess or Coran for whatever reason, assuming that they likely needed less sleep and would be more likely culprits to the noises than any of the teenagers, who should be exhausted from the day.
He opened the doors only to find his son beating a training bot.
Really what was he supposed to do with this kid?? The paladins had been running drills and training all day, and had gotten sent on a last minute mission, after dinner, they should have all passed out immediately after changing and getting into bed. So why was he currently watching his son beat robots with a surprising amount of force and energy in the middle of the night?
Shaking his head Tex pushed the door all the way open.
Giving up on any of the paladins noticing his presence earlier that day Tex opted for shouting to get his son’s attention. “Oi Keith!”
Still growing accustomed to hearing his father’s voice again Keith froze just long enough for the droid to get a good hit in sending him to the floor. Catching his breath he called “END SEQUENCE!”
After quickly receiving he turned to find his dad shooting him a disapproving look.
Carefully he asked “what’s up pop?”
“Gee Keith I wonder what could be keepin’ me up right now? It most certainly wouldn’t be ma son training in the middle of the night would it?” Tex sassed back fondly, sitting down and leaning against the wall behind him.
Even as he was halfheartedly scolding his son, he couldn’t help but reminisce about how even as a child Keith would always push back and question rules and what was considered normal behaviour.
“Couldn’t sleep much… to much on my mind right now.” Keith answered his father’s previous question.
“Well shoot kid, ye gotta get some sleep!” Tex exclaimed. He had noticed the bags under his son’s eyes and wondered just how frequently this was what Keith was doing instead of resting like he should’ve been doing. “Why don’t cha come over here and tell me what on yer mind kid.” Tex restored for Keith to come sit with him.
Keith shuffled forward with his eyes on his feet.
Both of them sat in silence for a few beats. Keith not wanting to open up just yet and Tex not wanting to rush or pressure him. Keith had always been stubborn and pushing him to answer would get Tex nowhere, just like it got him nowhere with Keith’s mother.
Tex could sense his son building up to something. He was clenching his fists and kept glancing in Tex’s direction, while taking deep breaths.
“Dad? So much has happened and I don’t really know who I am anymore… Mom was an alien and now I’m in space, and you’re not dead anymore and I always felt like an outcast and now at least part of that makes sense but I still feel like the others might not want to be friends if I tell them the other part.” Keith forced out breathing hard.
“Oh Keith…” Tex sighed saddened that his son was feeling all this pressure. “Its okay to be different and people will still love you for being yourself.” Tex comforted his son.
“So kid what’s this big secret you’re scared of the others finding out?” Tex asked curiously, wondering what on earth could be causing so much stress to his poor child.
“Its not actually a big deal or that important.” Keith deflected, not wanting to to get into it.
Tex knowing his son would just push his feelings down, and that that wouldn’t help anyone, began to pry.
“Does it have anything to do with the Blue paladin?” Tex asked, having noticed that the two frequently bickered and that his son would watch the other when Lance was distracted. He’d also caught a few glances thrown his son’s way from the Cuban boy.
“WHAT?!” Keith sputtered out, shocked that his dad had called him out so quickly. Not willing to deny it any further, Keith admitted to the floor “yea… I think I really like him…”
Tex was smiling softly patiently waited for him to continue.
Keith having noticed that his dad hadn’t said anything tentatively looked up and noticed that Tex was smiling at him.
“You’re not mad…?” He asked quietly. Fearful of his dad who he loved so much rejecting him.
Tex chuckled at this “No Keith I could never be mad at you for loving who you love.” Tex responded, his heart breaking at the relieved look on his son’s face. “Keith… you do realize that yer Ma is an alien right?” Tex confirmed with laughter in his voice. “Son I have absolutely no right to be mad at you for liking a boy.” Tex teased his son.
“Oh… right” Keith replied looking mildly horrified, but also laughing slightly.
Tex laughed at the look on his son’s face. “So you wanna tell yer pop anythin’ else about this boy?” He nudged his sons shaking shoulder.
“Not yet… its still pretty new.” Keith replied.
“Alright then” Tex wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulder, and Keith leaned into his side. “Keith I will always love and support you, in my eyes you can do no wrong by being yourself.” Tex promised his son, now wrapping both arms around the boy.
After a few more minutes hugging, Tex decided that it was time to get his kid to bed. He nudged Keith to stand up and started pushing him towards the bedrooms.
SHIRO
Tex had woken up early the next day to get a head start on developing new habits and moving away from how he had lived in the prison.
He wandered down the hall towards the common room, planning on relaxing there while he waited for the rest of the crew to wake up.
He wandered into the common area, scoping out the room for the best place to wait. He decided upon the couch, and only once he had circled it to sit down did he notice Shiro lying there already.
Not wanting to disturb the Black paladin, Tex turned to one of the other seats available, and sat down, simply waiting for Shiro to wake.
Not long after Tex noticed that Shiro was shifting around quite a lot for someone who should be asleep. He worked out that it must be a nightmare affecting the young man, as he could also hear quiet whimpers.
Deciding not to let the poor man suffer in slumber any longer, Tex moved to wake him. Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder planning to call his name and shake him softly into wakefulness. His plans were halted however when not a second after Tex placed his hand on Shiro, that he found himself being pushed back and with his hands pinned to the floor, with sharp terrified eyes staring back at him.
Returning to reality Shiro shook himself, releasing Tex with a horrified gasp. “Tex! I’m so sorry I had no idea it was you!” Shiro gasped out.
Tex who was busy catching his breath merely waved away the rushed apologies.
Getting up off the ground he waved Shiro over to join him on the couch.
“So… that happened…any chance y’a wanna talk about it?” Tex questioned the still trembling Shiro.
“It was just a nightmare…happens all the time no need to worry…but I am sorry for the surprise I caused you.” Shiro apologized again, hoping to brush off his nightmare and corresponding trauma, unwilling to really dig into, even though Tex was probably the only one around who could related in anyway.
“Well I won’t push then, just know that I get it and you can come talk to me about it if you ever feel the need.” Tex replied kindly as he reached over to pat Shiro’s hand. “I can’t imagine the pressure you’re feeling to always hold it together for the rest of Team Voltron and the universe, much less that you are the one leading the charge to save it.” Tex continued sympathetically.
Shiro was nodding along as Tex spoke. “I feel like I can’t show weakness, cause they’re all so young and they need someone to lean on, when it all gets to be to much.”
“Well now you yourself need to pick someone to lean on, I’m offering myself.” Tex advised.
“I really don’t want to be a bother to you or anyone else.” Shiro denied.
“Nonsense! It’s important ta take care o yerself. Don’t listen to any macho men who say otherwise. The strongest people have a dependable support system.” Tex scolded Shiro’s self-isolating habits. Not leaving any room for Shiro to deflect or deny Tex’s support, Tex continued. “Now that that is settled why don’t we see about getting you some more rest cause ya look right tuckered.”
“I guess you’re right, I don’t want to be poor company though” Shiro resisted weakly.
“Don’t worry about me, I can entertain myself quite fine.” Tex appeased.
“Well if you’re sure…” Shiro trailed off as he was quickly falling victim to the fall of his eyelids. His head slowly tilting towards Tex’s shoulder. Tex responded to this by wrapping his arm around the young man who had fallen asleep on him.
ALL
Not long after Shiro succumbed to sleep, did Tex notice a presence at the door. Turning around slowly so as not to disturb the slumber of the man next to him, Tex found that it was his son at the door. He beckoned Keith over.
“What’s going on Kid?” He asked softly.
“Was just looking for you…” Keith replied taking a seat opposite to Shiro at his father’s side.
Leaving it at that Tex welcomed his son into his side. Keith shifted around until he was comfortable and as the time slowly passed he grew tired and eventually fell asleep himself.
The next teenager to find them was Pidge, who came in and curled up next to Keith without a word, she immediately fell asleep, breathing softly.
After Pidge came Hunk who pulled up a blanket and set up at Shiro’s feet, after muttering a quiet greeting to Tex who was still awake.
After a few more minutes Lance stumbled into the room, rubbing his eyes, he curled up with a blanket and pillow against Keith’s legs.
Tex had been sitting here for about an hour with all the paladins sleeping softly around him before Allura and Coran came looking for all the other passengers of the castle-ship. They found them all resting comfortably around Tex.
Taking a breath they relaxed. Finally there was another person around to help take care of the five humans who had been thrust into an intergalactic war.