Vld Pidge - Blog Posts

✨⭐️✨CONTEST TIME!!!!!✨⭐️✨

YES! You heard it here folks! Its that time of year again, Golden Madness’s 2nd anniversary is right around the corner, so you know what that means!

But instead of a novel copy of Golden Madness, i will be giving away a leather-bound sketchbook with some special GM extras! Extra’s that may or may not include answering some of long held questions the winners have about GM 

There will be one sketchbook for my more Instagram-involved followers and one for a lucky person here on Tumblr! Each sketch book comes with thick paper, leather-bound covers, and a locking mechanism in the front! They’re small and compact enough to fit in your purse or backpack for easy, on the go sketching!

The rules are as follows:

Must be following

Find any song used in GM (EXCEPT the ones in Chapter 12 and 15)

Find the movie that song is from (I’ll post them under ‘Read More’)

Repost/Reblog this picture with one of the following

Your review of that movie

A guess as to why I used that song

What other song from those movies would you like to see in GM and why

Tag me just to be sure!

Feel free to ask me any questions for clarification!

And that’s it! Most detailed/in-depth answer wins! Contest will run from April 24th to May 24th to give y'all a full month to tackle this challenge! 😉

So the reason as to why I decided to go with this challenge in particular is because i wanted to show y’all my main inspirations for GM i.e Bollywood and my culture. And while i know both things aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, my hope for this contest is just to expose everyone to different culture as well as what runs through my head when I sit down to write GM.

Once again, I’d like to thank everyone for supporting GM over the two years this fic has been alive and kicking. I really, truly could not have done any of this without y’all, and i’m so thankful to have met so many amazing people via this crazy little idea of mine. So, again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart!😘❤️

Love,

potentiala

Chapters 1-7

Mere Haath Mein - Fanaa

Udi Teri Aankhon - Guzaarish

Janam Janam - Dilwale

Chapter 18

Naina - Dangal

Chapter 19

Ek Dil Ek Jaan - Padmaavat / Padmaavati

Chapters 20, 21, 22 (eventually)

Ranisa - Padmaavat / Padmaavati

Wow oof ok, it has been a HOT minute since a GM update. So, without further ado, here its is! PART 2 IS NOW A THING!

Consider this my creative restart to start setting time aside to create instead of work. That being said, college is this a huge part of my life so things wont exactly run super smoothly, but i hope ya’ll can remain just as patient and as wonderful as you’ve always been <3

Once again, thank you all for your continued patience and i hope you all enjoy this new chapter!

Honorable Mentions - @galacticlee , @olkarianprincess , @lotidge , @strugglingtoast , @grbgcn2 , @januarycarnation , @bronywn , @fairy-amy , @coffee-your-teapot , @insaneworld21 , @thegreatandpowerfulcozz , @hessonite-angel-art , @landing-amongst-the-planets , @demoniclions , @freckledporcelaindoll , @risingpheonix527 , @crescent-blue-moon , @adreamsart , @astra-lula , @theladybrooklyn , and @disturbing-killer-bear

With Love,

potentiala

Hey guys!

Yes, i am not dead. But Sweet Baby Jesus Do I Wish I Was

I am, in fact, in college. So GM has had to take a bit of a back seat so that i can focus better on my education.

My betas are also in college and the last thing i want to do is compromise their success at the professional level, so the writing and reviewing process will take a great deal longer from now on. For that, i apologize but must, once again, remind you that college has always been my focus so please respect that as best you can.

BUT GOOD NEWS!

Thanks to continued commitment from my Betas, parts of Chapter 20 have been finalized and will, therefore, be posted as my betas finish them.

However, in the midst of all these hiatuses, remember the fact my number one goal to give y'all quality work over a large quantity of rushed, sub-par work, so please respect that.

All that being said, thank you for reading and keeping up with GM despite the long waits!

Honorable Mentions - @galacticlee , @olkarianprincess , @lotidge , @strugglingtoast , @grbgcn2 , @januarycarnation , @bronywn , @fairy-amy , @coffee-your-teapot , @insaneworld21 , @thegreatandpowerfulcozz , @hessonite-angel-art , @landing-amongst-the-planets , @demoniclions , @freckledporcelaindoll , @risingpheonix527 , @crescent-blue-moon , @adreamsart , @astra-lula , @theladybrooklyn , and @disturbing-killer-bear

With Love,

potentiala

GM Moodboard 10: Chapter 12: Faithful to a Fault, But Whose?

“Sifair smiled again, Stepping closer to the Blue Paladin. Wrapping her arms around him in the best hug Lance had ever received since joining this quiznacking space war. She was warm and soft all around him. Like a huge mother bear. You know that she was terrifyingly deadly, but, at the same time, she's one of the best things in the world to have at your side.

Lance wanted to cry.

"Even if no one admits that they value you, I always will. Come to me anytime, and I'll talk your ears off about how much I appreciate all that you've done Dearest. You helped saved the universe love! And...more importantly, you gave me back my son."

Lance straight up cried.”

===

Chapter Song: Vitamin String Quartet - Rockabye

GM Moodboard 9 - Chapter 11: Even Before We Got To Touch

“ The image broke her in some vital way. Shattered what little remained of her resolve. Werual kicked her in the stomach with his good leg. Yanking her back to her feet with his remaining arm without so much as an ounce of resistance. Sifair's candlelight eyes burning against the bloodied dirt floor underneath her.

Her son.

Her laughing baby boy she had to leave. What would her kit think? If he saw just how vicious a creature his mother was? He would have the same look in his eyes, wouldn't he? He'd be that terrified of her, right? Sifair tried to look back at the child she had freighted. To apologize. To beg forgiveness.

To comfort.”

===

Chapter Song: Hamilton - Stay Alive (Reprise)

GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!!! 😘❤️💝🎉✨🎉✨✨✨✨

CONGRATULATIONS TO  @magicalgirlspotlight !!!!! It was really difficult decision to make and, as those around me will confess, one I was constantly thinking of.

Nevertheless, I was incredibly touched by Spotlight’s words and can’t help but  smile at in awe of how far we’ve come in this tiny little community :’) 

So thank you, Spotlight, for your love and support, and thank you @olkarianprincess , @diamondheart31 , @grbgcn2 , and @hessonite-angel-art (seriously, why does it never work with your other account???)

I’ve met so many wonderful, beautiful friends along the way and I cannot put into words how thankful I am to have you all in my life. It’s been a year since this monster of a fic has came out, but, for some reason, it feels longer than that.

Maybe that’s becuase updates take forever?

Maybe that’s because I'm constantly going back and forth on GM?

Or maybe, and most likely, it’s because of the amazing people I’ve met along the way who have clicked with me in such a way that it seems as though we’ve known each other for much longer. 

None of this would’ve been possible with you all! 

With all my Love,

potential.a

Honorable Mentions! 😘❤️✨💖🎉✨✨✨

Wow, this was a really tough decision! I was absolutely floored by everyone’s entries and I still cannot believe it’s been an entire year of just being blown away by y’alls love and support <3

That being said, @olkarianprincess , @diamondheart31 , @grbgcn2 , and @hessonite-angel-art (idk why Tumblr never lets me @ your other acct???) Had absolutely beautiful entires that made me grin ear to ear with every word. 

The fact that I’ve, somehow, made your days better with my sporadic updates unto this single Shidge fanfic is beyond me . Thank you for all your wonderful words and even lovelier soupport and love for this past year.

And, white I’m sorry that I cannot offer you the full prize - I can and will say that this won’t be your only chance at a novel copy of GM! 

With all my Love,

potential.a

Y’all got until midnight

After that, winners will be announced on Sunday

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO GOLDEN MADNESS!!!✨🎊🎉❤️

YES! You all heard me! Today is GM’s official one year anniversary!

A year ago, on this day, I posted GM never knowing the amazing people I’ve met along the way.

SO THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!!!

I know updates have been few and far in between, but know that, while life continues to kick my ass, I don’t plan of giving up on this monster of a fic just yet! And because of that…

I’VE DECIDED TO HOST A GIVEAWAY!!!!

One on my Tumblr and one on my Instagram. Where I will be giving a FULL PAPERBACK copy of GM so far along with some extra goodies to one lucky person ! The rules are as follows.

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GUYS!!! 😘❤️❤️❤️✨🌟⭐️✨🏆🎉🎊💖As promised, I will be hosting a HUGE giveaway where I will be give one of you lovely people a full paperback version of Golden Madness so far! Rules are as follows:

❤️Reblog this pic.

❤️Tag me and must be following

❤️In the caption, tell me your favorite scene/line from Golden Madness and why.

❤️One entry per person on both platforms so please play fair guys! (Though I will allow redos after the new chapter is posted!)

❤️ Will run from May 21st - June 28th!

Once again, thank you all so much for your continued love and support.

It’s because of all the wonderful people I’ve met through this this little Shidge/Lotidge fanfic that has made this my longest running project in any media form. And this giveaway is just one way I’ve wanted to give back to y’all.

Have fun and I hope to see your entries soon! 😘❤️

With Love, Potentiala

GM Moodboard 8: Chapter 10: A Version of the Truth

“Sifair…Her full title was Sentinel Elite Sifairias Kerain Shaanti…” Talking a deep breath, Kolivan put his Blades at ease with a wave of his hand. Taking a seat a ways away from Matt.

Head in his hands.

“She was our previous leader. I thought…I thought she was dead.”

===

Chapter Song: The Killers - Miss Atomic Bomb

GM Moodboards 7 - Chapter 7: Beloved, You Are

“Lotor couldn’t breathe.

It was impossible. No woman could have…his thoughts trailed off. Remembering the young girl’s face. The startling beauty of her tears. The soft, vulnerable look she gave him.

If only for a moment.

She truly was beautiful. Beautiful in a way none of his other women were. Beautiful in a way they all aspired to be. Lush lips and a girlish, soft face. Lashes long and feathery against a dotted cheek. He had held her.

Felt her.”

===

Chapter Song: James Young - I’ll Be Good

EIGHT DAYS LEFT

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO GOLDEN MADNESS!!!✨🎊🎉❤️

YES! You all heard me! Today is GM’s official one year anniversary!

A year ago, on this day, I posted GM never knowing the amazing people I’ve met along the way.

SO THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!!!

I know updates have been few and far in between, but know that, while life continues to kick my ass, I don’t plan of giving up on this monster of a fic just yet! And because of that…

I’VE DECIDED TO HOST A GIVEAWAY!!!!

One on my Tumblr and one on my Instagram. Where I will be giving a FULL PAPERBACK copy of GM so far along with some extra goodies to one lucky person ! The rules are as follows.

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GUYS!!! 😘❤️❤️❤️✨🌟⭐️✨🏆🎉🎊💖As promised, I will be hosting a HUGE giveaway where I will be give one of you lovely people a full paperback version of Golden Madness so far! Rules are as follows:

❤️Reblog this pic.

❤️Tag me and must be following

❤️In the caption, tell me your favorite scene/line from Golden Madness and why.

❤️One entry per person on both platforms so please play fair guys! (Though I will allow redos after the new chapter is posted!)

❤️ Will run from May 21st - June 28th!

Once again, thank you all so much for your continued love and support.

It’s because of all the wonderful people I’ve met through this this little Shidge/Lotidge fanfic that has made this my longest running project in any media form. And this giveaway is just one way I’ve wanted to give back to y’all.

Have fun and I hope to see your entries soon! 😘❤️

With Love, Potentiala

NINE DAYS LEFT

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO GOLDEN MADNESS!!!✨🎊🎉❤️

YES! You all heard me! Today is GM’s official one year anniversary!

A year ago, on this day, I posted GM never knowing the amazing people I’ve met along the way.

SO THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!!!

I know updates have been few and far in between, but know that, while life continues to kick my ass, I don’t plan of giving up on this monster of a fic just yet! And because of that…

I’VE DECIDED TO HOST A GIVEAWAY!!!!

One on my Tumblr and one on my Instagram. Where I will be giving a FULL PAPERBACK copy of GM so far along with some extra goodies to one lucky person ! The rules are as follows.

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GUYS!!! 😘❤️❤️❤️✨🌟⭐️✨🏆🎉🎊💖As promised, I will be hosting a HUGE giveaway where I will be give one of you lovely people a full paperback version of Golden Madness so far! Rules are as follows:

❤️Reblog this pic.

❤️Tag me and must be following

❤️In the caption, tell me your favorite scene/line from Golden Madness and why.

❤️One entry per person on both platforms so please play fair guys! (Though I will allow redos after the new chapter is posted!)

❤️ Will run from May 21st - June 28th!

Once again, thank you all so much for your continued love and support.

It’s because of all the wonderful people I’ve met through this this little Shidge/Lotidge fanfic that has made this my longest running project in any media form. And this giveaway is just one way I’ve wanted to give back to y’all.

Have fun and I hope to see your entries soon! 😘❤️

With Love, Potentiala

It’s finally here!

The bloodiest chapter of GM to date with a whopping body count of 11. Also some sensitive material so please be careful!

Also, please don’t forget about Golden Madness’s one year anniversary contest! Where I’ll be giving away one paperback copy of GM so far on both my Instagram and Tumblr. Make sure to check out this post for more information.

As always, I’d like to thank the following people for sticking with me through the long wait in between chapters and who I hope will enjoy this new one ❤️ - @galacticlee , @olkarianprincess , @lotidge , @strugglingtoast , @januarycarnation , @bronywn , @icecream3245 , @fairy-amy , @coffee-your-teapot , @insaneworld21 , @thegreatandpowerfulcozz , @hessonite-angel-art , @landing-amongst-the-planets , @freckledporcelaindoll , @risingpheonix527 , @crescent-blue-moon , @adreamneverends , @grbgcn2 , @astra-lula , and @theladybrooklyn

Thank you and I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO GOLDEN MADNESS!!!✨🎊🎉❤️

YES! You all heard me! Today is GM’s official one year anniversary!

A year ago, on this day, I posted GM never knowing the amazing people I’ve met along the way.

SO THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!!!

I know updates have been few and far in between, but know that, while life continues to kick my ass, I don’t plan of giving up on this monster of a fic just yet! And because of that...

I’VE DECIDED TO HOST A GIVEAWAY!!!!

One on my Tumblr and one on my Instagram. Where I will be giving a FULL PAPERBACK copy of GM so far along with some extra goodies to one lucky person ! The rules are as follows.

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GUYS!!! 😘❤️❤️❤️✨🌟⭐️✨🏆🎉🎊💖As promised, I will be hosting a HUGE giveaway where I will be give one of you lovely people a full paperback version of Golden Madness so far! Rules are as follows:

❤️Reblog this pic.

❤️Tag me and must be following

❤️In the caption, tell me your favorite scene/line from Golden Madness and why.

❤️One entry per person on both platforms so please play fair guys! (Though I will allow redos after the new chapter is posted!)

❤️ Will run from May 21st - June 28th!

Once again, thank you all so much for your continued love and support.

It’s because of all the wonderful people I’ve met through this this little Shidge/Lotidge fanfic that has made this my longest running project in any media form. And this giveaway is just one way I’ve wanted to give back to y’all.

Have fun and I hope to see your entries soon! 😘❤️

With Love, Potentiala

GM Moodboard 6 - Chapter 6: Warm As The Color Green

“She was beautiful.

Allura watched as Pidge smiled. The young girl's smile blooming on her face in such a way that she radiated joy and made the whole room bright and warm. A lovely smile Allura had never seen anyone make, let alone sarcastic, bitting Pidge. Immediately, Allura felt a strong surge of pride. She was the one that brought out this inner beauty. Wait a tick! The Altean Princess suddenly had a very, very amazing idea.

"We're not done yet!"

===

Chapter Song: Gabrielle Aplin - Night Bus

GM Moodboard 5 - Chapter 5: Lick Your Wounds

“To Pidge, Allura had no reason to envy her. Pidge wasn't a princess nor the spearhead for the Defenders of the Universe. Pidge wasn't all charm and regality nor was she as lovely as Allura. She was just a small, stubborn cog in the system.

Nothing special.

But Allura? She was special, amazing at every given opportunity. She was a freaking alien princess for God's sake. Not only that, she had some sort of weird Altean magic mumbo jumbo abilities. She single handedly organizes all their diplomatic dealings. Needless to say, Allura was fucking amazing. Pidge wasn't.”

===

Chapter Song: The Script - Breakeven

GM Moodboard 4 - Chapter 4: A Mother’s Legacy

“The Galran female winced as her mind accidentally brought Laila back into her thoughts. Shiro began shaking with silent sobs, like a child crying after getting scared by a monster. Sifair just held him. Letting him release all his tears onto her shoulder.

Laila was better at this.

When Sifair had crashed to the ground on her hover bikes, Laila was there to heal the wounds and hold her through the tears. When Sifair had killed legions of creatures who threaten the old Empire, Leila was there to help her keep her resolve. But not anymore. Laila's been dead for thousands of years. Killed by Altean hate and prejudice. Burned like the Witch they called her. Now, as Sifiar held the weeping Black Paladin of Voltron, they lived in a world without Laila. A world without the sane creature she made Zarkon. A world without her warmth.

A world without her golden eyes.”

===

Chapter Song: He is We - Kiss it Better

GM Moodboards 3: Fire in my Heart

“Truthfully, Lance was here to understand Keith. But not as a leader. Truthfully, Lance couldn't care less that Keith was leading them now. Because who would want Lance as a leader anyway? Perks of being a seventh wheel, he thought bitterly.

No.

Lance was here for love.

Deny it as he might. Lance couldn't refuse the gravitational pull that slingshots him to Keith every time they so much as see each other. Not anymore, anyway. Lance could even pin-point the exact moment he realized his budding feelings.”

===

Chapter Song: dodie - Sick of Losing Soulmates

GM Moodboards 2 - Chapter 2: Heat Stroke

“Matt's heart twisted.

He missed his family. He missed his dad's corny jokes. His mother's constant humming. His sister's...well, he missed everything about Katie. He missed their fights over cereal. Their walks home from the Garrison. Their way of understanding each other in a way no one ever could.

Matt squeezed his eyes shut.

She was only 14 when he left on that damned mission. She must be at least 16 or, God forbid, 18. He missed her whole life. Her whole life that was supposed to be filled with her breaking every boundary and obstacle that stood in her way because she was Katherine Goddamn Annalise Holt and the world was her's for the taking.

Or, that's how it should've been.”

===

Chapter Song: Fall Out Boy - Jet Pack Blues

GM Moodboard 1 - Chapter 1: Songs in the Field

“His heart pumped faster.

Blood started spurting out faster out of his chest as a disastrous consequence. But the man didn’t care. He never had cared for consequences.

Not when it came to her.

Her voice, so painfully familiar and free of pain, suddenly made him want for Death. So then, at the very least, he could be with her once more. His weary eyes, scoured the endless field of flowers like a man starved.

And starved he was.

Just once, he wanted to see her just once more. And…he did. His eyes clung to her in the distance as they once did so long ago. The man let out a breath he held in for thousands of years.

There she was.”

===

Chapter song: Lana Del Rey - Young and Beautiful

Bloody Beloved

So...I just watched Padmaavati, and it was AMAZING. The songs, the costumes, the acting OH MY. 

But back to the songs.

One, in particular, was very reminiscent of a ship I adore. So @lotidge , this one is for you. 

Introducing a horribly wonderful vision I had for Padmaavati’s “Kalibali” with a Lotidge spin on it. Mainly because this song is amazing and because I really want to do an unhinged Lotor. RIP.

Think of this set in a desert/sharan sort of backdrop with Lotor as this Alexander The Great sort of guy and Pidge is sort of like Helen of Troy??? If that makes sense???

(Khalibali Video Song) (Original English Lyrics For Khalibali)

Also I vote to add this song, despite being in another language, to any potential Lotigde Song Lists/Playlists

Ah.

This was nice. This was wonderful. Oh...it wouldn’t take long now. Soon, he’d own all the world. Soon, his Empire would reign supreme. Soon, he’d have that King’s head implied unto a stick.

Soon he’d take his wife as his own.

Oh, that damned King only allowed him a glimpse of his Queen. And through a mirror no less! But by that Stars that was enough.

Enough to start a war.

That damn information had been right. King Shiro’s new wife was indeed a heaven-sent beauty. Oh! The glimpse of her was still fresh in his mind.

Cutting him deeper than any wound.

Emperor Lotor’s head swam with her visage as he marched toward his troops. Each eager and bloodthirsty for war.

For women.

But out of all the woman Lotor had in his harem, out of all the beauties he had ravaged, none could ever come close to her. 

To Queen Katherine.

So deadly that loveliness was! So precious! Those intoxicating eyes...Lotor wanted it. And everything that was precious in this world...

Lotor must possess.

He stood, surrounded by his men, all of them dressed in ornate silver plates of armor. Foam and shrieks hailing from each of their mouths. Lotor laughed, excitement flooding through his veins. Lotor laughed, calling his men to battle. Lotor laughed, desire filling his heart.

A war cry filling his throat.

“Oh Stars! He is like a warlord!” His army chanted, thumping their breastplates with their hands. Lotor still laughing as their chanting grew louder and louder. The army beginning to circle their commander 

 “Oh Stars! He is like a warlord!” Lotor ran his hands down his face, his skin felt feverish. His head spun, as if caught up within a dream. The heavy black cloth of his clothes, embroidered with silver, suddenly felt stifling. He felt waek and warm, hot and light all at once. Still, he pictured that Queen. 

The flash of her golden eyes.

“Oh Stars! His heart is like a demon!” He had heard many tales about her. About the bloody, golden Queen who had sent many a man screaming into death. 

Like a Goddess of War’s incarnate.

“Oh Stars! His heart is like a demon!” Lotor laughed once more. A demon! Yes! He’d become a demon once that Queen came to him.

Once he claimed her as his own.

“Oh Stars! He is like a warlord!” The chanting grew frenzied and Lotor’s army stated thumping their swords against the floor in tandem with the beatings of their breasts. The sound of thousands of weapons clashing together made Lotor sway to the beat.

Half-possessed.

“Oh Stars! His heart is like a demon!” Only with her...Only with that woman by his side could Lotor truly own the entire world. The list of the Golden Queen’s conquests no small feat. Oh! To have a woman like that by your side!

She was wasted on Shiro!

“OH STARS! OH STARS!” The army was screaming now. Foam and spit flying from their mouths rabidly as Lotor rocked back and forth. Head tilting back, eyes falling shut.

Lotor let out a breath.

“O Beloved...” Lotor cried, running his palms along his neck, over his face, and into his hair.

Mind entranced within his dream.

“O Beloved...” That Katherine...Katherine...covered in blood at his side. His mouth on her neck, lapping at the red rivets. 

Her husband’s blood on his fingers.

“O dear, bloody heart!” Lotor screamed, springing alive. Ripping his clawed fingers from his silver-white hair. Eyes wide and mad.

Mad with love.

“Ever since I sought your crown of love...” Looking at his army, Lotor raised his arms, greeting the horde of purple-furred soldiers. Their circling of their Emperor never stopping. The clanging of their weapons never ceasing. Lotor’s blood was on fire. 

She was coming! 

“I’ve it let go!” He howled, rushing as the nearest man and throwing him to floor to take his space amongst the circling army. The war chant growing loud er and louder Echoing throughout the camp. Gripping at the embroidery on his chest, Lotor sunk his own claws into the skin underneath.

Lips pulling back into a snarl.

“I have no care in my heart! I’ve let it go!” Lotor roared as he thumped his own chest, claws and all. His fangs glinting in the low firelight all around them. Circling around and around as the soldiers chanted with him. 

Bloodlust rising.

“My care for this world is gone! I’ve let it go!” The Emperor spun, grabbing the nearest warrior’s shoulders and pulling them closer until their foreheads collided. 

Blooding trickling between then.

But neither men cared. Both men just kept howling, spinning around to make their war-hungry hearts beat. Lotor’s eyes bright with blue fire.

Bright with desire.

“I’ve let it go!” It was, after all, a grave wrong to claim another’s wife, but the Galran Empire didn’t care for wrongs. 

Just their conquests.

And, with Queen Katherine coming to Daibazaal to save her husband, the Galran Empire will have claimed its greatest conquest.

The Golden Queen.

Known far and wide for both her beauty and deadly intelligence, she had lead her husband’s kingdom into great and fearsome success. Indeed, the small woman hailing from a insignificant background had quickly become one of the most powerful rulers in the world.

Making a King out of her husband.

A former veteran of war who could hold his own in a fight, the two were said to be inseparable. Impossible to touch between the King’s battle prowess and the Queen’s merciless battle strategy.

But there is a first time for everything.  

“Ever since I sought your crown of love...” Releasing the solider, Lotor spun away. His body light and unfocused.

“I’ve let it go!” 

“I have no care in my heart! I’ve let it go!” Lotor was howling now, spinning around and around. His arms gripping at his own shoulders. The claws digging into his skin doing nothing to dampen his excitement.

Only adding to his ecstasy.

“O our Lord! O our Emperor!” Haha! They were chanting again. Swearing, not the Stars, but to him! As they should!

For even the Stars feared him.

“Let him ravage! Let him pillage!”

“Let him claim that Golden Queen!” Ah! His army was jumping slamming theirs fists unto their thighs in a maddened frenzy.

All while Lotor could only laugh.

This! This was what he had been waiting for! That damn King got too cocky with that woman by his side. And now look at him! She had to come to save him!

She was giving herself to Lotor!

The army screamed and shrieked. Yellowed fangs flashing. Clawed hands cutting into palms as the Galran shoulders beat their legs in excitement. Having caught the scent of blood.  

Of victory.

“Let him claim that Golden Queen!”

“My heart is  now in tatters because of you...” Lotor pulled a lagging solider close by his hair, letting him rest his head unto his Emperor’s shoulder. The smaller Galra looking up at his Emperor half in respect.

And half in fear.

“The light of sleep has now abandoned me...” Lotor whispered, tender to the point of cruelty. The hand in thsmall Galran’s hair tightening as Lotor yanked his head back. 

Slicing his throat.

“My heart is now in tatters because of you...” The Galran Emperor called out as he threw the soldier’s body to the side.

The army never stopping.

Switching form pounding their legs, to circling round their Emperor once more. Throwing one foot in front of the other in savage stomps as they spun in in circles around Lotor.

Trampling the body completely.

The corpse quickly becoming bloody pulp unto the floor. Bits of brain and eye clinging to the boots of Lotor’s soldiers. But the scent of blood was truly in the air now. 

The scent of war.

“The light of sleep has now abandoned me...” Lotor looked to his hands, echoing the chant in a fanged smile. Looked to the rich red blood flowing from his hands, under his claws, and down his arms. 

“A new dream has taken shape in my eyes!” The Emperor looked to the wet palms as he raised them to the sky. As if grabbing at a dream.

As if gripping a victory.

“I’ve let it go!”

Lotor laughed.

“I have no care in my heart! I’ve let it go!” Remembering the first and only glimpse he had of Queen Katherine as his army chanted all around him. 

Her visage had come to him by a mirror. Lotor having been tricked out of his sole condition of their momentary truce, to see the lovely Golden Queen once and for all. Naturally, Lotor had thought that he’d see her face to face.

But she alluded him still.

Brillant, really had she had done it. Arranging all her palace’s mirrors in such a way that she was reflected in a mirror before him like an illusion, but leagues away from him in reality. Ah! But how sweet a sight she was!

However momentary.

She had been wearing white

A white gown lined with gold and pearls. A white gown that fluttered around her small frame like tendrils of smoke. A white gown that sparked in the mirror’s borrowed light.

A white gown that begged to be dyed red.

“My care for this world is gone! I’ve let it go!” Lotor had gone past swaying back and forth. Now, his whole body seemed to convulse. Twisting in and out of view between his spining rings of of soldiers. 

Contorting all the while.

“I’ve let it go!” But, just like that, Lotor stopped moving altogether. The suddenness making the Galran Army cease their war cries and draw closer to their Emperor. 

“I’ve conquered all the world...” Lotor whispered, looking up at the stars above them. Hands raised, bloody palms up, as if in prayer. The Emperor’s yellow-blue eyes soft and glazed.

Lost. 

“But seeing you, I stopped.” Fluttering his eyes closed, Lotor raised his hands higher. The warmth of the soldier’s blood just beginning to cool, hardening into the worn lines of the Emperor’s hands. 

“In your wake...”

Lotor smeared his face with blood.

“Even the skies come down to bow before you!” His breathing now erratic. His palms running down from the top of his forehead to the edge of his jaw, coloring him red with the soldier’s blood. Oh. Oh, he wanted her.

He wanted Katherine.

“Oh let me read the hymn of your love!” Lotor lunged out with a savage cry, hooking his arms around the shoulder of two of his men. Dragging them back the dance, the Galran army springing back into their war chant.

“Oh let me drown in that religion of love!” Throwing his head back, Lotor let out a vicious howl. Beastly and primal in every way. Envisioning Katherine in the aftermath of her husband’s death. Covered in Shiro’s blood as Lotor dragged to his chambers to claim her. Oh!

He couldn’t wait!

“Now you’ve become owner to my heart!” What would her skin feel like, he wondered? What luxury that pale, freckled skin would be against go own flesh! Her short, sunset hair gripped in his hands! The soft, gentle curves of her body flayed open by his claws. 

“I’ve it let go!”

“I have no care in my heart! I’ve let it go!” Taking the jaws of the two soliders’ into his hands, Lotor slammed them onto the ground. Into the bloody pulp the was the first solider. But the two soon rose.

Colored in blood, cheering all the while.

Rejoining the ranks of Lotor’s army easily as the Galran Emperor snapped his neck back into place. Head light and eyes wide and frenzied.

Excitement singing in his veins.

“My care for this world is gone! I’ve let it go!” The Emperor was screaming now, howling above the chanting shrieks of his army.  She was coming!

Coming to him!

“I’ve let it go!”

“I’ve it let go, O Beloved!” Arm spread wide, Lotor spun around. Laughing in triumph. 

In victory.

“I’ve it let go, my Beloved!” Was he still spinning? Or was it all still in his head? Who cared? Lotor was somewhere else. Somewhere high above this place.

Somewhere with Katherine.

“I’ve it let go, my dearest, bloody heart!” With one last blood-curtleing scream, Lotor let his army take over the war chant. So close, he was so close to victory.

To the Golden Queen.

To the conquests the two would achieve. The blood on his face had long since dried, tightening the Emperor’s cold purple skin. 

It felt wonderful

“Oh Stars! He is like a warlord!” The Galran Emperor quickly threw himself into his army’s frenzy. Howling and spinning and pounding at his chest. 

Lotor laughed. 

Fangs flashing and head thrown back. The glint of his army’s weapons sparking and flashing all around him. 

“Oh Stars! His heart is like a demon!” Lotor grabbed another soldier to slam their foreheads together as they all reopened the earlier wound. Fresh blood filling the air once more.

Intoxicating them all.

“OH STARS! OH STARS!” They broke apart, Lotor’s own blood mixing with the trembled soldier’s on his face. The Emperor felt free, uninhibited and wild. He was invincible. He was murderous.

He was victorious.

“Oh Stars! His heart is like a demon!” The army grew even more crazed, dispersing to ravage the tents around them, as if pillaging a village and not their own camp. 

“Oh Stars! He is like a warlord!” Slashing at their own tents, the firelight of nearby touches seeming to grow even higher.

Hungrier.

“OH STARS!” In the height of his celebration, Lotor was no longer anything resembling a man. He was beast. Bread and fed in war. 

Arrows sailed through the air.

In the first round, only two hit their mark. One behind Lotor’s left shoulder, the other just above his right hip. But still, Lotor stood

Still, he laughed.

The second round of arrows were more accurate. Three more arrows finding a poisoned home in Lotor’s body. At this, Lotor fell to his knees.

But no lower.

“OH STARS!” The army still raged all around him, too enveloped with their lust for destruction to assist their leader. 

But Lotor didn’t need it.

The Emperor looked behind him, silver strands of moonlit hair slipping off a blooded shoulder with the movement. Finding the shooter, the culprit fluttering in and out of view between the sharp shadows of his soldiers. And, for the life of him, Lotro wished he could say that he was surprised. The shooter no one but Axca.

His first wife.

Still, Lotor never stopped laughing. 

“I’VE LET IT ALL GO!”

Don’t Let Go (Of Me)

@shidgevalentinesexchange  for @adeerli ! 

Nice to meet you! This was really challenging for me to write, but I hope you enjoy all the work I’ve put into this and help spread some of that quality Shidge all around. 

As you might be able to tell, this fic was heavily inspired by James Arthur’s song ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’  

I will also cross-post this on my AO3, so make sure to check it out over there! <3

“I met you in the dark, you lit me up”

They met on orientation day.

Not her orientation day, mind you, but her brother’s. And freshly graduated Garrison Officer Takashi Shirogane couldn’t help but notice them.

He introduced himself to Matt first.

Immediately taking a liking to the bright young man with the mischievous eyes. He answered his questions and helped quell some of his parents’ worries.

Then he saw her.

“You made me feel as though I was enough”

A quiet, small little thing with long hair and a brand-new dress. Looking half in envy and half in worry at the state-of-the-art facilities all around them. Then she caught his eyes looking her way.

Her’s were gold.

Bright and burning and not unlike a punch to the gut. Somehow, Shiro managed to send a smile her way before he was whisked away by their father, a Commander Shiro had nothing but respect for.

But the look of her and those intense eyes never left him.

===

He was here.

Of course Katie knew him, Matt never shut up about him in his letters. The Garrison golden boy that everyone seemed half in love with, Takashi Shirogane. And Katie definitely couldn’t understand the allure. Absolutely. No way. Not at all. Pffft!

That’s ridiculous!

“We danced the night away…”

Who was she kidding? Katie has faced a lot of problems in her 14 years of life, but this was, by far, the worst one. Katherine Annalise Holt had a crush.

And she had it bad.

“We drank too much.”

So bad that the young girl couldn’t help but wring the hem of her dress in her hands. The Holt family had traveled back to the Garrison after an entire year to celebrate Matt graduating from Cadet to Cadet Corporal at the youngest age of 17. Pride warming away every one of Katie’s frazzled nerves at the sight of her brother standing at attention in a brand new uniform.

Iverson continuing to drone on.

“…as acting Drill Sergeant of this year’s class I have had, not only the honor of watching these young men and women mature and grow, but to collaborate with one of the Garrison’s brightest alumni, Takashi Shirogone.” Iverson’s constantly shrill voice paused to allow the room to fill with applause.

For him.

Katie’s stomach flip-flopped as she clapped along with the crowd. Everyone’s eyes on Takashi. Who looked illegally handsome in his Officer’s uniform. Fit to his figure, it showed off a great deal of his excellent build.

Much to Katie’s destress.

“A few words Shirogone?” Iverson called out, Shiro clearly caught off-guard but accepting the offer graciously nonetheless. Flashing a smile so bright, Katie’s brain had to reboot for a solid minute. He turned toward the graduating cadets, Matt being one of the smallest among them. Dark grey eyes alit with warmth and pride.

“As my first year teaching, I must say that it’s been an eventful one.” Laughter titered amongst her brother’s class, in inside jokes Katie longed to know. The young girl wishing, not for the first time, that the age requirements for apply to the Garrison weren’t so high.

“But I wouldn’t have it any other way.” At this, he looked back to the crowd. That warm gaze sweeping over everyone like dawn’s first rays of sunlight. Katie barely fought back a blush as Shiro’s eyes seemed to settle in her direction. But, to her surprise, Shiro suddenly seemed so nervous.

Those warm eyes lowering.

“I-um…I’m really humbled by this experience. Teaching the next generation like this…has been amazing a-and a tremendous honor. So, thank you all for sticking with me for so long.” There was something incredibly endearing about the way Shiro seemed so bashful in that moment. Something so sweet that Katie could help the bright, brilliant smile gracing her young features.

“I held your hair back when you were throwing up.”

Then his eyes were on her.

Not on the crowd. Not on her brother’s class. But on her. Katie knew it, she felt it. That soft gaze nearly gave her a heart attack, sure, but she did her best to smile encouragingly at him.

And, to Katie’s surprise, it seemed to work.

“Then you smiled over your shoulder…”

“I look forward to seeing all the boundaries you all willbreak. And I know that each and every one of you are capable of incredible greatness. But I must admit…” Her heart leapt to her throat. But what? What did he-Shiro’s gaze on her warmed, a bright smile tugging at his lips as he looked at her.

“And for a minute…”

“I eagerly await the conquests of the newest generation of graduates, I…have a feeling they’re going to do so some pretty amazing things. Thank you.” Katie couldn’t even hear the applause, she was still glued to her seat. Heart slamming against her windpipe. The image of Shiro’s encouraging half-smile and soft eyes imprinting onto her mind. Cementing itself amongst all the other theories and equations that made way more sense to her than her own feelings for Shiro.

“I was stone-cold sober.”

===

Don’t think of her.

Don’t picture her. Don’t try to remember her voice. Don’t try to remember how her eyes shone. Don’t bring her visage to place like this. Don’t say her name.

Don’t you dare bring her memory here.

“I pulled you closer to my chest.”

Who knows how long Shiro had been in this place. Purple fluorescent lights and alien, animal faces blurred together in his mind. Or in what little cognitive function he had left. Everything seemed to be an endless cycle of blood and bone and screaming.

Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill.

Katie.

“And you asked me to stay over…”

God, but then there were moments, too many for Shiro to count, where he’d think back to all the people he’s failed. Matt, who was God knows where. Commander Holt, who Shiro hoped and prayed was still alive, despite all the horror of their situation. And…no, he wouldn’t do that. He couldn’t do that. Shiro can’t think of-

Katie.

“I said, ‘I already told ya-‘ ”

Out of everyone, Shiro had failed her the most. He remembered how proud she looked on launch day. How those golden eyes turned molten with joy as she and her mother sent the three of them off. How she jokingly made him promise to keep her family safe.

So lovely he couldn’t breathe.

He still couldn’t breathe as he, guiltily remembered memories of the brilliant younger Holt in a place like this. A place so messed up and violent that it should never tarnish her memory, no matter how secondhand it was.

But Shiro didn’t have long to think.

Two more purplish aliens cornered him in his cell. Shiro couldn’t even muster the spirit to fight them. The former pilot roughly shoved into the wall and muzzled. Bound in strange, glowing chains until it was time to release him.

Out of the fire and into the frying pan in the worst way.

But even as Shiro was pushed and shoved towards the slaughter fest that was the Arena.

His thoughts were of her.

“ ‘I think that you should get some rest…’ ”

===

She saw him again.

Part of her knew she would, eventually. But this time the sight of him did nothing to her. Gone we’re the blushing cheeks and fluttering heart. She wasn’t that crushing young girl anymore.

She wasn’t Katie anymore either.

Nothing like love twisted her heart at the sight of him, seemingly deranged and pleading on that hospital cot. Katie, now Pidge, only felt one thing as she looked at him. Felt something ugly and hideous coil in her stomach.

How dare he?

How dare he be here instead of Matt and her father? How dare he be the only one who came back? How dare…how dare he just show up?

Crashing back, quite literally, into her life.

“I knew I loved you then.”

She had spent so long killing whatever she had felt for him. Exhausting herself with the search to find her family to avoid thinking about him. But it never worked.

Not really.

And now here he was, screaming, pleading for anyone to stop and listen to him. That they were all going to die. That there were Galra just outside-

Pidge couldn’t take it.

She had had enough. Enough with the lies. Enough with the hurt. Enough with the constant dull ache in her chest. She had to end this the only way she knew how.

She had to save him.

“But you’d never know…”

===

She can’t leave, was his first thought.

But Shiro looked at her face, at those burning gold eyes and that furious glare, and couldn’t find it within himself to stop her.

He failed her.

“'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go.”

Shiro a had failed to protect her family, of course she wanted to leave them and find them herself. Of course she’d want nothing more to do with him. Shiro knew all that.

But it still hurt.

“I know I needed you…”

It still hurt seeing how little she seemed to care about him. How much she wanted to get away from him. It cut him worse than the Galra ever had.

But he’d let her go.

“But I never showed.”

It’d kill him, but he owed her so much. So, for the rest of the night, Shiro kept outside. So no one could see how much he was hurting. He liked her.

He really liked her.

Which was horrible because she was only 15. Which was awful because he had left Matt and her father in the hands of the Galra. Which was just wrong because-

“But I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old…”

“Shiro? Can we talk?” Trying to tell himself that his heart didn’t skip a beat at her voice would’ve just added insult to his many injuries. Shiro took a few moments to school his expression before turning to her.

And how much she’d changed.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

The last time he saw her everything was different. Everything was simpler. Her cheeks were flushed with cold, but Katie’s smile was so electric that she seemed completely immune to it. She was so small then, so delicate.

Not anymore.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

Seemingly everything about Katie had hardened, sharped to a deadly point. She was force to be reckoned with. A young girl becoming a woman in war. And Shiro couldn’t help but morn the fact. Especially like this, when she was standing just to his left in her armor. All its sharp angles and thick plating doing nothing to help Shiro’s guilt.

Doing nothing to stop his heart breaking.  

===

“I’ll wake you up with some breakfast in bed.”

He’d get nightmares sometimes.

After the first couple instances and the deep, dark bags under his eyes, Pidge had decided enough was enough. She, despite her best efforts, had begun feeling something for the Black Paladin again. Something gentle and flickering in her chest that warmed her when this war chilled her.

Thus began their unique sleeping arrangement.

“I’ll bring you coffee with a kiss on your head…”

They’d head for his room at about the Earth equivalent of 10 o’clock, and, while Shiro would usually knock right out, Pidge would just slip in beside him and continue working until she was either done with her project or passed out from exhaustion.

But it was usually the latter.

“And I’ll take the kids to school…”

Still, for reasons Pidge refused to think about, Shiro seemed to sleep better with her there. Even when she wasn’t under the blanket with him, Shiro would still rest surprisingly peacefully. And for that, Pidge was immensely thankful.

Even if mornings were a little awkward.

“Wave them goodbye.”

Shiro, for the most part, would wake up before her. But the 6-foot-something guy had no chance of leaving the small, twin sized bed without disturbing her awake in some way. Neither would really talk about it, seeing it was a habit the two just sort of…picked up.

Shiro would leave.

Leave Pidge alone in a suddenly too-big bed in a room that smelled just like him. The young girl having to tell herself over and over that this was bigger than her resurfacing feelings for Shiro. This was for his sake and sanity.

She couldn’t take advantage of that.

So every morning Pidge had to stumble back to her own room, alone. Then go to breakfast and act like the whole arrangement never even existed. Like Pidge never knew how much younger Shiro looked when he slept. Or that sometimes his hand would fall to her waist and sleep would suddenly be the furthest thing from her mind. Yeah.

It’s sucked.

“And I’ll thank my lucky stars for that night…”

But there were bigger things than the aching hurt in her chest to deal with, so Pidge just fought it down and threw herself into everything she did even more. Hoping that, one day, things could be normal again.

That she could be honest with Shiro.

===

Years passed.

Everyone grew harder, tougher. The war still raged on, but now they were fighting fire with fire. The Coalition was growing everyday and people were shedding their fear of the Empire like a second skin. Everything was looking up.

But Shiro didn’t feel that way.

“When you looked over your shoulder-“

They found Matt. And for the first time, in a long, long time, he saw Pidge truly and purely happy. Pidge, now 17, had finally gotten a piece of her family back. Not as battle scarred or traumatized as him, Matt fit in right away with their crew.

Falling back in place with Shiro.

The two rekindling their friendship and trust. But one thing, one very important thing was different now.

Katie.

Pidge.

Before the younger Holt had been a witty, brilliant young girl who Shiro liked to joke with. Now? Now things were different.

Now she was different.

“For a minute, I forget that I’m older.”

She was still as burning and brilliant as those gold eyes, but there was so much more to her now. She was a woman on the war front. Battle-scarred and formidable in every sense. Pidge was someone he’d trust his life with. The only problem?

He wanted her to have his heart to.

“I wanna dance with you right now…”

Pidge had indeed grown lovelier over the years and to say that Shiro had never imagined the two as couple would be false in every sense. As beautiful as she was smart, those golden eyes seemed to spell ruin for suitors who weren’t careful.

And Shiro was one of them.

“Oh! And you look as beautiful as ever!”

Matt had found out embarrassingly easily. But the older Holt never ridiculed Shiro. No. Matt did something much worse.

He encouraged it.

“And I swear that everyday you’ll get better.”

Saying that the two were perfect for each other and that she definitely thought of him the same way. Which, naturally, Shiro knew better to believe.

But a part of him hoped.

Hoped that Matt was right every time her smile seemed to linger on him. Everytime he’d find himself lulled to rest by her focused face illuminated by her computer within his room. Everytime she’d pull him back from the nightmares and visions and into her brilliance. A dear, dangerous part of him hoped for such things.

And maybe, one day, he’d tell her all that.

“You make me feel this way somehow…”

But war was never kind to such sentiments. Such sentiments already begged to be proven wrong.

And they were.

===

Oh God.

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. This couldn’t be happening. No. No! This wasn’t real! This is just a dream.

Just a nightmare.

“I’m so in love with you…”

“SHIRO!” Her throat hurt, but Pidge couldn’t care. All she cared about was getting down this damn hill and rush to his side. What was he even thinking?

Taking that bullet for her.

Oh God, there was blood everywhere. A usually orthodox sight made horrifically new when she saw who caused it.

Shiro.

Was he even breathing? Oh God please be breathing. Don’t stop breathing. Don’t leave me again. Don’t go until I-

“K-Katie?”

“And I hope you know.”

“I’m here, I’m right here Shiro. Stay with me. Stay with me please.” When did she start sobbing? When had her tears began to choke her?

She grabbed his hand.

Slick with blood, the metal was cooling in her hands. Hunk quickly rushed in, med kit in tow while Pidge tried to keep Shiro awake.

Alive.

“Darling, your love is more than worth its weight in…”

“Shiro! Shiro, look at me! Eyes on me, c’mon. Please!” Dark, blood soaked lashes fluttered up to her. Shiro’s bloodied head in her lap as Hunk tried to stanch the massive amount of blood leaving his body. But his eyes, warm and gray and heartbreaking, still cling to her so dearly.

So preciously.

“Gold…” He murmured weakly as she gazed up at her. Pidge’s tears falling onto his soiled face. Creating clear tracts in the dirt and gore. But, despite all that, the sight of such a soft look on Shiro face made Pidge smile.

And tears fall harder.

“We’ve come so far my dear…”

“Stay with me ok big guy? Well get you patched up s-”

Shiro coughed.

Blood splattering against his lips as the man sounded as if he was trying to retch out his lungs. Pidge cupped his face, trying to bring him back to her. Trying her best to ignore the warmth of his blood against her palms.

“Shiro? Shiro please stay with me…” She hated the whine in her voice, but the tears just wouldn’t stop. The pain in her chest damn near killing her. No…No, I couldn’t end like this.

Not like this.

“Look how we’ve grown.”

Not after everything they’ve been through. Not after how long she’s loved him. He can’t die. She wouldn’t let him.

She couldn’t let him.

“And I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old.”

“Katie…Katie I-” Pidge saw it then. Saw it in the way he looked at her, halfway dead and broken beyond measure, but still gazing up at her like he’d do it all again for her. She saw it in those gray eyes and how they shone with unsaid words and unshed tears. She saw it in the way his bloody, bruised hands held onto her arms so reverently. Pidge saw it then.

And cursed herself for not seeing it sooner.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

“I know…I know…” She soothed, gazing back at him. Pidge’s face a near mirror of his own. Vision blurring with tears as she leaned down.

And kissed him.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

===

Kissing her was all Shiro wanted to do.

Pidge made a soft noise in the back of her throat as she pulled him closer and out of his thoughts. The air between them, in his room suddenly too hot. Too stifling unless every inch of her was pressed against every inch of him.

“I wanna live with you…”

Shiro’s mechanical hand slid under her shirt. Reveling in the smooth curve of her hips and waist. Against his throat, Pidge sighed contently and sent Shiro’s heart fluttering.

He kissed her again.

“Even when we’re ghosts.”

Kissing Pidge was like nothing he’d ever imagine it to be. Kissing Pidge was all bursting citrus and warmth and freckles against his hands. Kissing Pidge was the best thing in the world, and Shiro didn’t know if he could ever give it up.

Her arms wrapped around his neck.

Pulling him even closer, if that was possible, as Shiro rubbed his hand along the gentle curve of her bare back. He parted away from her, if only slightly. Just to look at her.

And those gold eyes.

Made a little darker from their kissing, but shining in the lowlight of his room nonetheless. Pidge was older now, her features more prominent, and fondness sang so loudly in Shiro’s heart, he couldn’t help but feel weak.

“'Cause you were always there for me…”

“I love you.” He breathed, the declaration coming out half scared and half infatuated. Watching the spark in Pidge’s eyes light up and a bright smile stretch along her face.

“When I needed you most.”

Her palm on either side of his head.

Seeming to memorize all his features with her calloused, thin fingers. Trailing along his jaw and over his temple. Across his eyebrows.

Fluttering over his scars.

“I love you to.”

===

“I’m gonna love you till my lungs give out.”

The war was over.

The greater evil had been defeated. The universe could finally breathe a breath of freedom after so long a time spent suffering.

Especially for the Paladins.

“I promise till death we part…”

Hunk chose to stay with Shay and help her fellow Balmerans discover what it meant to be free. Though, judging by their entwined hands as they waved the Castle off, that wasn’t exactly the only reason.

Allura and Matt had a lot of work ahead of them.

The rebel fighter and the Princess had grown close over the course of the war. Matt every bit a gushing, loving boyfriend that never failed to make Allura laugh.  Coran watching the two carefully all the while. Allura’s diplomacy plus Matt’s strategy proving to be an incredible combination for the Coalition.

And, naturally, Lance and Keith went back to Earth.

“Like in our vows.”

Lance, apparently, having promised the Red Paladin an introduction to the entirety of Lance’s family. The sight of their entwined hands and bright red cheeks never failing to bring a smile to Pidge’s face.

Which left only two.

“So I wrote this song for you…”

What was next for her? For Shiro? Well, with the Empire out of the way, someone need to take charge of the noncombatant Galra and establish the Blades of Marmora as pillars of stability. And who better to do it?

Than the Champion himself.

“Now everybody knows!”

He was hesitant about it. She could see it in his eyes and the way his human hand wrapped around his metal one. Pidge knew that the thought of overseeing the entire race of creatures that harmed him would be painful.

But that’s why she was there.

“ ‘Cuase now its just you and me…”

Whatever the challenge, whatever the curse. Pidge would help him bear it. So, come the day Kolivan and the Blade came to take them away to rebuild their enemies, they just held each other.

Steadied each other.

“Till we’re grey and old.”

Shiro looked to her then, concern pinching the worn planes of his face in such a way that he seemed to ask her, “are you sure?”, all over again. He looked older now. Older in ways Pidge couldn’t even describe. But he was hers.

And she was his.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

So while she knew this new adventure would test them, as long as they had each other, Pidge knew that they’d be fine. They’ve gone through too much to just back down now. Squeezing his hand in hers, Pidge took the first step toward leading a new legion of Galra. With her hand in his, Shiro walked right beside her.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

Side by side.

Toward a new future, together.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

“Just say you won’t let go…”

Concept art from Ch 17!

IT’S FINALLY HERE!

So sorry for the huge gape in between chapters, but college applications aren’t easy. 

Still, thank you all so much for sticking around this long and I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

With love,

Potentiala

p.s - Just wanted to tag these wonderful people that I’ve kept waiting for so long: @galacticlee @olkarianprincess @lotidge @strugglingtoast @januarycarnation @jadeisonblade @ana3245 @fairy-amy @coffee-your-teapot @insaneworld21 @thegreatandpowerfulcozz @fluffiestdork @hessonite-angel-art @landing-amongst-the-planets @thechocolateobssessed-blog-blog @freckledporcelaindoll and  @risingpheonix527