Chapter 19: The Battle Against Zarkon

                                    

                                          
Once everyone had returned from their missions, Princess Allura was talking about their missions. But not in a way Maisey liked. She thought of Allura as a hypocrite in that moment and it made her quite frustrated. Since everyone found out about Keith having a Galran heritage she had been distant, cold and rude towards him and Maisey wasn't a fan of her behaviour. Just because he was born that way didn't mean he was as evil as Zarkon, which she clearly tried to make him out for along with the other Blades who were risking their lives for this mission.
"Thank you for the scaultrite Hunk," Allura said with a smile towards the yellow paladin and only the yellow paladin.
"Uh, you know Keith was there too, right?" Hunk said awkwardly. Allura just looked at Keith with a disgusted and unthankful expression on her face. Maisey didn't like her attitude and felt like she should stand up for Keith. Ever since they learned that Keith was part Galra she had been rude towards him for no reason, she was still just Keith and now Maisey felt like it should stop. It was enough.
"Most people would say thank you," Maisey shrugged, folding her arms as her anger was boiling her blood, "you'd expect that you would have those manners, since you're a princess and all."
Allura immidiatly turned her glare towards Maisey, and everyone could feel the tension in the room. Maisey was a sweetheart but she always stood up for what she believed was right, how brutally honest that might be.
"Excuse me?" Allura began angered, "how did you just dare to speak to me?"
"The same way you spoke to Keith," Maisey said as the two girls stepped closer to each other, "disrespectful."
"The Galra-." Allura stated but got interrupted by Maisey who shushed her.
"Yes, the Galra. Excuse me but what does Keith have to do with that? Last time I checked he's a paladin of voltron, riksing his life to stop this war just as much as you.. and now that it turns out he's part Galra he's suddenly as evil as Zarkon," Maisey's voice raised as she spoke what was on her mind, "you should get bad and good sorted out, because right now you're just a freaking hypocrite."
Keith, as well as the others, watched the two girls bicker. Over him. It made him feel appreciated, knowing Maisey had his back and wouldn't judge him over his heritage, but at the same time he felt awkward, like he was in the center of the attention, which was true of course. The eyes  flashed from Allura and Maisey to Keith and right now he just wanted to leave the room, but at the same time he was frozen to the ground, listening to every good thing Maisey was saying about him. It felt nice to know that she had accepted him for who he was whilst others were still getting used to the fact he was part Galra. 
"Allright, that's enough," Shiro said as he got in between the two girls, "let's move on to what's important right now, the plan to end Zarkon."
The plan was in motion, Shiro had given Zarkon the Black Lion's location and the teludav was in place. They were ready.
"But Thace hasn't responded, we should abort this mission," Kolivan said.
"Abort the mission? We can't, it's already starting," Allura said stern as she quirked a brow at the leader of the Blades.
"How do you suggest we get someone into Zarkon's ship? Thace should've send us a respond three varga's ago, he might be captured or killed," Kolivan said stern.
"I'll do it," Keith said as he stood straight.
"What? I would never demand one of my members to go on a suicide mission," Kolivan said.
"You don't demand me," Keith said, "I'm going."
"I'm coming too," Maisey said, "for backup."
"What? No." Keith and Lance said in unison, which caused Maisey to shoot confused glanced towards the two rivals. Those two never agreed before.
"Chill, I'll be fine," she said calm, "this plan needs to work, so I'm going."
"But you could get hurt," Lance stated.
"Don't worry," Maisey smiled at her friend, "I'll be with Keith."
"That's why!" Lance shrieked, Keith shot him an annoyed glare.
She raised a brow at Lance's comment, she hugged her friend and walked out of the room. To be followed by Pidge and Keith.
"You're insane to go with me," Keith snarled, she looked over her shoulder and smirked.
"Insane is my middle name," she said, "besides someone has to look after you."
"Allright, cloaking device is operational," Pidge said, "you'll be able to get in undetected."
"Perfect," Maisey said.
"Pidge, Maisey," they turned around to see a rather stern Allura standing in the dooropening, "may I have a moment with Keith please?"
Whilst Pidge looked from Keith to Allura in confusion, Maisey frowned at Allura's comment.
"Sure, have all the moments you like," Pidge said as she began to walk away. Maisey however stood frozen on her spot besides Keith, still frowning at the princess with suspicion. Pidge sighed and pulled Maisey along by her wrist.
"Allright, when are you going to tell him?" Pidge asked Maisey in the hallway when she'd let go of her wrist.
"Tell who what exactly?" she asked.
"Keith." Pidge said as she raised her eyebrows, "it's pretty obvious."
Her heartbeat had raised for a second, Pidge's comment made her jolt for a second.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she sighed, folding her arms and turning her gaze to her feet.
"You don't know?" Pidge scoffed, "you have feelings for Keith and you know it."
"I don't," Maisey denied even though, she did, a lot.
"Listen Maisey," Pidge sighed, "you have feelings for Keith and Keith has feelings for you. Just talk already."
At that very moment Allura walked in, signaling that Maisey could go back.
"See you later," Maisey said, "Pidgeon."
"You can't hide your feelings by making silly jokes about my name," Pidge said. Maisey waved her goodbye. But as she walked towards the pod, at which Keith awaited her, she couldn't help but think about what she had said. What if she was right?
"Ready to go?" Keith asked her.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Maisey said her gaze lingering at him.