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The team had just finished answering a distress signal from one of the colonies under siege by Sendak and the Fire of Purification. They had all known--and prepared and debriefed and fortified--for the "honeymoon" period that would immediately follow Lotor's coronation. But this was their fifth attack during the first week, which was far more than their most dreaded estimates, and the entire coalition was getting stretched to the limit.
They had come in with only four lions this time. Allura had to stay behind to help Coran repair the castle's crystal after their previous run-in with Sendak. They had fought off the intrusion, searched the destroyed Galra ships for survivors, and restored aid networks to central command. Afterwards, they waited for retrieval, praying that the castle wouldn't be blocked by more Galran reinforcements on the way.
Thankfully, it doesn't happen. Because this time, the castle doesn't come for them. Lotor does.
Allura lets them know in advance through the comms that the castle wasn't stable enough to wormhole and that his fleet was in the quadrant anyway and would be sent for a swifter pickup. It wouldn't have the healing pods, but there were plenty of medics onboard to attend to them until they could be returned to the castle.
The team went along with no fuss. Being an ally of the emperor had its perks, and right now, they could use a little pampering.
Or, as it turns out... whatever the Galra defined as "pampering."
"Ow, ow, ow, OW! Hey, watch it!" Lance shouts, trying to scoot to the farthest end of the bench.
"If you cease your incessant squirming, this would be done so much quicker!" The medic snaps, pulling him back by the arm and continuing to prod at the oozing wound in his side.
On the couch behind them, Pidge presses a cold pack to her neck and grimaces. "I don't get why we can't have some better accomodations here." They knew the empire probably wasn't the best at administering TLC, but they had expected something better than sitting around in a cold, empty medbay, contemplating the benefits of bleeding to death over having their turn with the medic. There weren't even any snacks or magazines around.
"Well, the Galra aren't known for their bedside manner," Lance says, gritting his teeth.
"Hey, not in front of Galra Keith!" protests Hunk.
"I thought we were over that," Keith groans from where he lay face down on the floor in an attempt to relieve pressure off his legs.
"Silence!" The medic snaps, "either speak up when you feel death approaching, or not at all! No unnecessary squabble in the medical bay!"
"Allura always lets us speak in the medical bay," Lance complains, then yelps when the bandages being wrapped around his chest tighten in retaliation.
"I'm sure the princess regrets your absence as much as you do," says a voice to their left. The team looks up.
The medic immediately rips his hands from Lance's side, eliciting another cry from the paladin, and hits his arm to his chest, standing ram-rock straight.
"My lord," he says.
Lotor gives him an curt nod but keeps his eyes on the paladins as he crosses into the room. "Continue, Rashak."
"Come to see what's left of us?" Lance jokes weakly.
"Allura entrusted you all into my care. It would be untoward for me not to ensure you're being treated well," Lotor replies, taking a seat on an empty bench nearest to the door.
"It's a little hunky dory," Pidge sniffs, flipping the cold pack over and pressing the fresh side back on her wound.
Hunk scratches his head sheepishly. "Yeah, not gonna lie, I was kinda expecting something more... kingly? Like magic healing springs, foot massages. Maybe complementary hors d'oeuvres?"
"At the very least, I think we would all prefer someone who doesn't make Lance scream every two seconds," Keith grumbles. Lance flips him off.
Rashak rolls his eyes. "Do earthlings ever stop complaining?"
"They've become spoiled with the castle's healing pods," Lotor says with a placating smile, "Tread carefully, Rashak."
Lance bristles. "I'm not spoiled. I just got blown through a window and you're--ow! You're making the bandages too tight!"
"To help keep your ribs in place until you arrive at your precious castle." Rashak snaps.
"Chill, Lance. You gotta zen with the Kihrin-Bol, man." Hunk says.
"The Kihrin what?" Lance asks.
"Oh yeah, Kihrin-Bol. Dayak taught it to me when we went to Lotor's castleship that one time, and I was all like, teach me the ways of the Galra. Anyway, it means like, the second strike. Like the pain that comes after you're hurt."
"The healing pain," Lotor confirms, pleasantly surprised, "Very impressive."
"Oh, well, it's nothing," Hunk flusters.
Lance is less placated. "Well, I think I still prefer the castle's way where we heal--ow!--without pain."
"Without pain, you will never learn the steps necessary to avoid it, boy." Rashak says sternly.
Lotor nods. "He's right. Be thankful that tonight's recklessness didn't result in the casualties of you or any of your teammates. Next time, you may not be so lucky."
"Debby downer," grumbles Lance.
"Well, what I learned is that Lance should be the guy in the chair next time." Pidge says, "He manages to get himself hurt after the fighting's already over, in a ship that's already crashed and has no sentries in it."
"Hey! It was Keith's fault!"
"Say whatever you need to to make yourself feel better," Keith retorts, "It's not like you knocked on a bomb that had an obvious touch-sensitive, blinking red sensor on it, in a ship from an empire that's known to kamikaze their fallen fleets."
"You told me to check it out!"
"Yeah! Without touching it!"
"Well, we already looked at it! What else did you--"
"Perhaps some refreshments are in order?" Lotor says, interrupting their squabble, "The paladins have had a trying enough day." He pushes a few buttons on a pad next to the door, and within a few ticks, a slot opens up in the wall with a tray of liquid pouches.
"Yes! Space juice!" Hunk cheers, accepting a pouch. It was filled with some kind of pinkish water that made the entire thing warm to the touch. The taste wasn't bad--neutrally salty with an undertone of sweet. It made his tongue tingle after he swallowed.
"Lishinrade," Rashak corrects, "Made from the blood of the Marbian beetle."
Next to him, Lance retches mid-sip.
Pidge continues to drink, unaffected. "Kinda taste like red gatorade."
"Gatorade?" Lotor asks.
"It's like this drink you have after workouts. Supposed to hydrate you better than regular water," Hunk says, "Oh man, wait 'till we get to Earth. There's so much you and Allura haven't seen yet."
"If we get to Earth," Keith corrects harshly.
"Oh come on, man. Now that Zarkon's gone and we got this whole intergalactic alliance thing going, the only thing left to do is go back to Earth."
"Earth..." Lotor says, "that's where all of you are from?"
Pidge raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, you haven't heard of it?"
"Oh, I certainly have," Lotor remarks, "it has quite an infamous reputation for such a small and unremarkable planet. A number of our prisoners have hailed from Earth, and some of our fleets have been known to crash there." He smiles. "And of course, it was the home of the blue lion."
Lance lets out a dreamy sigh. "Yeah, good ol' blue. Camped right next to Keith's hobo shack."
"You don't think they're planning on attacking Earth, do you?" Pidge asks, suddenly nervous.
Lotor's face tenses in thought. "Sendak may," he admits grimly, "he was the first to be sent to Earth to retrieve the blue lion, so he's already familiar with the route. Though, it is still a long journey. If he's expending resources to go to Earth, it will be more than a simple conquest. Likely, he means to hold the planet hostage as a bargaining chip."
"But I mean, that's all hypotheticals though," Hunk reasons anxiously, "It's not really gonna happen."
Lotor's expression remains stoic. "We've been in such a situation before."
The paladins fall into an uneasy silence. Even Rashak pauses his bandaging to look up at Lotor in confusion at the sudden quiet.
"That was messed up of us," Pidge says softly, then coughs, "correction. That was messed up of me especially. I don't think I ever apologized to you for that... and thanked you. I wouldn't have gotten my dad back if it wasn't for you."
"Think nothing of it. It resulted in the end of my father's reign. That's all that matters," Lotor pauses, then smiles apologetically, "excuse me, that's half of what matters. I too am glad your family was able to be reunited."
"We won't do it again. Even if Sendak holds Earth hostage, we'll... we'll find another way. I mean, we always do." Pidge says, braving a smile.
"I doubt Sendak will ask for just me," says Lotor, "but thank you. The thought is appreciated."
Lance beams. "Totally! We've beaten Sendak like what, three times already? It'll be a cakewalk."
"We won't leave you behind," Keith says firmly, "we're a team."
"Not to mention you saved Keith back during the whole Naxzela thing. Can you imagine if we had to find a new black paladin a second time?" Lance complains.
Keith rolls his eyes. "Lance," Pidge hisses.
"Okay, yeah, and we would've missed him and whatever."
"You're just mad because you know Allura would be the next black."
"Nuh uh!" Lance snaps, "the red paladin is second in line! That's how it works!"
"A-Anyway, you also gave us all those tips on insider Galra activity so we could have a chill two weeks," Hunk says, turning back to Lotor, "I never knew how much time there was in a day until we finished missions like four vargas early, y'know?"
"And we got to wander around Galra HQ and mess around with all that weird alien tech." Lance adds.
Lotor suddenly looks very tired. "I remember that. You launched a robeast coffin into space. And trashed every single facility in my west wing."
"Yeah, can you imagine if we did that if Zarkon was around? Or Allura? Lotor's like, the cool emperor."
Hunk barks out a laugh. "Yeah, like the cool dad? Wait, that actually sounds kinda gross considering he and Allura are for real smooching."
Lotor freezes. "We certainly are not."
"Dude, you totally are. Like maybe not lip to lip yet, but totally eye smooching," Pidge wrinkles her nose, "yeah, that is kinda weird. It's like he's our stepdad who tries to win you over with like, trips to IHOP."
"Okay, hold the phone, take it from someone who actually has a stepdad. If he was even slightly serious, he would take you to Olive Garden at least." Lance says.
"Their breadsticks are trash, Lance!" Pidge snaps, throwing up her hands.
"IT'S NOT ABOUT THE QUALITY, PIDGE!" Lance shouts, "it's the fact that they're always hot and garlicky and YOU CAN GET AS MANY AS YOU WANT--OW!"
Next to them, Lotor gives Rashak a grateful smile.
"Perhaps it's time to inquire with the princess on whether a wormhole is yet possible?" Rashak asks.
Lotor nods, thankful for the out. "The sooner the paladins receive their healing pods, the better." He stands up and addresses the team. "I'm sure Allura is awaiting your return. It's been my honor overseeing your care today. We'll talk again soon."
"Wait!" Hunk shouts to Lotor's retreating back. The paladins pause in their goodbyes to look at him. Lotor turns around and waits patiently.
"Um, no pressure or anything and full respect to the Kihrin-Bol, but like, if you ever decide the med bay needs a little sprucing up--like a snack bar or something--I'm always happy to help," Hunk says, "for... y'know, next time we come by to see you."
Immediately, Rashak bristles.
"Absolutely not! The medical ward is meant to be a place of reflection, stoking vengeance, shaming incompetence--"
"Rashak," Lotor says firmly, and the medic falls silent. He returns his gaze to Hunk and his expression softens. "I will consider it."
Hunk beams. "Great! Looking forward to it--or I mean, whatever decision you make. No pressure, of course, again."
Lotor smiles. "Benefits of allies."
In the chaotic months following their initial pickup, no matter where battling Sendak's forces took them, it seemed like Lotor's ship was never far away from the paladins. Even after the castleship's crystal repair had been completed, Allura was more than willing to trust the team's care into Lotor's hands more often, if nothing else than to give Coran some well-deserved breaks. A few short weeks after their last encounter, Altean healing pods were installed into Central Command, though they were far less frequented by its Galran inhabitants.
It was far from the oddest revelation, however.
Because rumor had it that, no matter how frenzied the medical bay became from frequent encounters with rogue forces, the medical bay of Lotor's personal ship always included a small side table of pizza rolls and scones with juniberry icing.