sateenvartija | Jean + Voltron AU

Unstable stars were numerous in this sector. Leave it to the boy to go gallivanting off in his fighter through a veritable cluster of the things.

Not that Lotor could really blame him. He'd done the same, after all, and Jean had never been one to keep his feelings silent. Lotor had heard him yelling even as Acxa had shot him, the ringing of his consciousness fading and the boy's shouts blending into one.

He'd barely escaped, and the small flash of starlight on the edge of a fighter had alerted him to Jean tailing him. Lotor had no idea if he'd been ordered to do so or if he'd volunteered, but it was best to warn him away.

He set the protocols for that fighter's frequency only, and did it weakly. The exhaustion weighing on him was like none he'd ever felt, but he had to send him away...

"Jean. You are to pull back immediately. Zarkon and his fleet will be able to continue pursuit soon and I will not have you a needless casualty in this mistake of mine. Is that understood? Consider this my last direct order. From this point I release you from my command and you are free to take any position you should wish. I shall delete and destroy all record of you having served me."

Edited 2018-05-13 22:23 (UTC)

Jean had highly disapproved of the other generals' actions. Unfortunately, it had been three against one so he really had no say in it and he had needed to back down so he wouldn't wound up in trouble with the three ladies himself. He had waited for an opportunity and once Prince Lotor had made his escape, he knew what he needed to do. Taking off in a fighter was a risky move and he knew it very well, but at least no one really cared enough to try and stop him.

If he claimed he wasn't nervous flying through the sector he would have been lying. It was pretty nerve-wrecking, but he refused to let that stop him from going after the man he admired.

Prince Lotor's message didn't come as a surprise. It was exactly what he expected. It was one of the reasons he admired him.

"I'm sorry, Prince Lotor, but I'm going to disobey. I'm here because I want to continue following you no matter what. Nothing will make me turn away." His tone sounds stubborn and determined, maybe even more so than it usually does. "And I won't become a casualty."

Lotor sighed, having expected no less. One of Jean's most foolish and yet most genuinely likable qualities was his steadfast loyalty, and Lotor appreciated it more than he could ever express in the current situation.

Still, he sighed, because things were not going to be simple. He checked his encryption settings yet again and laughed. It was strained a incredibly overtired, but genuine.

"I believe we can do away with such titles now. I'm an enemy of the state, you realize. Standing on formality is a bit foolish, but then again, it does make it much easier for you to disobey."

He was smiling, and he hoped Jean was able to hear it in his voice.

"I would say to dock beside me and come aboard, but this ship will be what they take out should they find me, so it's much more safe to keep some distance..."

He trailed off, then, when some of the radio chatter interrupted his thoughts.

"Turn to frequency XR-826.59 Beta and listen closely. See if you can guess what I'm thinking."

It would be incredibly risky, but with his most trusted General at his back, Lotor was feeling much less uncertain about the entire thing.

Edited 2018-05-14 23:25 (UTC)

After spending as much time by Lotor's side as he had, Jean can definitely hear the smile in his voice. Even with the situation like this, he does smile as well. He knew he had made the right decision in following Lotor out here. Of course he had. There was never any doubt, but this only confirmed it even further.

Jean didn't have anyone else to return to and even if he had, he would have still chosen to stick by Lotor. After his human mother just gave him to his Galra father and his Galra father just gave him for training instead of taking care of him, he had pretty much grown alone. Of course, Jean doesn't remember much about his mother and he doesn't even want to. He wanted to deal with his father even less, which said something about him.

Lotor was the only one he really trusted. With ease, he changes the frequency to the ones Lotor instructs and listens in. Zarkon's fleet really was closing in... but there was something else that also caught his attention. He makes sure the other line is dead before talking again.

"We're going to help Voltron and the coalition by destroying Haggar's plans?" An alliance with Voltron. Would that even be possible after all their fights? Jean was skeptic at heart, so he doubted that automatically, but... it was clear Lotor had something on his mind.

Edited (I realized it's "after flying into the sun" so uh, maybe this works better?) 2018-05-16 00:59 (UTC)

That got a genuine laugh, although it was tired and a little strained.

"I'm very glad you decided to stay with me rather than going against me. I wouldn't have blamed you, and I do not blame them in the slightest, but you'd be a terrifying foe with that mind."

Because yes, Jean had guessed his thoughts exactly. Lotor knew it wasn't going to be easy, but with the few options they had, it seemed the best chance to take. Neither of them had anyone else to turn to in this, and honestly, it was one of the things that made Lotor's trust in the boy so strong. He'd grown up much the same way Lotor himself had, just from a place of far less privilege and servants, and that loneliness, that ache to connect with someone who understood, was on him like a mark. Lotor knew it was the same in his case, and he would not have Jean regret his decision if he could make it possible. Loyalty among the Galra was often fleeting, and while he hated that aspect of the culture, it was understandable. But he wanted to give the boy something to fight for rather than just going through the motions and following commands by rote. Lotor had done that all his life, and look where it had gotten him.

"Prepare to follow me into hyperdrive in ten ticks. Stay between my four and five, cover my back. I'll use the ion cannon, but there may be fighters so keep your guard up.

Should the witch get a hit in, aim for the hull and fire with everything in that little fighter. All you need to do is destroy her power source, so simply knock her off her feet so she is unable to shoot her energy streams.

Oh, and be nice to the Paladins, we may be guests in their hold for some time."

With that and a small chuckle he readied his ship for hyperdrive and grinned, suddenly much happier about this now that he knew not everyone had turned their back on him.

"I've had a great teacher", Jean comments, clearly a little embarrassed by the compliment. He couldn't claim that he understood Lotor's plans all of the time. That would have been impossible, but Jean was rather proud to be able to understand his way of thinking more often than the other generals had.

Even if Lotor didn't see it, Jean found himself nodding to the instructions as he modified the settings on his fighter so that he could follow into the hyperdrive. It's not until the mention of Paladins when he huffs.

"That will depend on how they treat us first. Though I must admit, I'm more nervous about that than facing the fleet." Meeting the paladins face to face, most likely without the protection of his usual mask... no matter how you looked at Jean, you only got 'Human' as a first reaction. There was nothing Galra about him, save the few marks on his shoulders and back that were usually not seen.

"Have you? Why have I not heard of this?"

And yes, Jean was really the only general Lotor had ever felt entirely comfortable joking with. Ezor had been close, but with Jean it was simply different.

"As am I."

Admitting that was something he'd never have done with anyone aside from the boy, and while he hadn't shared his traumas with Jean, they were obvious enough to be noticeable. While being counted an enemy of the state didn't bother him, as it was expected of Zarkon after a too-long lifetime of continuous hatred, the idea of appealing to the Paladins for mercy was not one he was entirely comfortable with. He did hope that Jean's appearance might help their cause a bit, but he would never breathe a word of it to the boy.

With no further instruction, knowing it wasn't needed, he simply let his ship go into hyperdrive. Jean would be at his back.

Jean laughed a bit. It was always nice to hear Lotor joke, especially since he knew it wasn't something he did with the others. Somehow it made it even more special.

A part of Jean suspects that Lotor is hoping for a positive reaction to a human by his side. He wouldn't mind. It would be an advantage and make things easier for them. It would help Lotor. If an opportunity was there, a leader like him should use it.

Jean followed Lotor into the hyperdrive, preparing himself for anything that might wait them on the other side.

It definitely wasn't something he did unless he truly trusted the person he was joking with. Jean had passed that test rather quickly.

He did hope for a good reaction to Jean's human appearance. One of the other Paladins was half human and half Galra as well, the one who'd left to join the Blade of Marmora. It may indeed play into their favor, although he could not tell Jean so. To do so would be disrespectful of the many things his most trusted General had accomplished.

When hyperdrive ended, Lotor armed his ion cannon immediately.

"Jean! That fighter heading full speed toward the cruiser! Divert it!"

That's the part that made him nervous: another half human, half Galra. One raised by humans, but who willingly chose to train with Galra. Almost the definite opposite of him. How would that meeting go? He couldn't know. No one could before it happened.

First they needed to survive from another battlefield.

"Got it!" Jean said as he flew his fighter towards the one heading straight towards the cruiser. As the order had been diversion, he fired nearby it to shake it off its path and slow it down. Even if it was flying straight towards its doom, it's not like it could afford to get hit in the middle before accomplishing what he needed to.

After years of training with the Galra, Jean had prepared himself for the thought of actually joining a fleet somewhere and following a commander. There was nothing wrong with his skills and there were plenty of half-Galra in the military ranks. There shouldn't have been a problem.

The ultimate decision came from his father after the training had finished. Jean knew they had a difficult relationship. The man didn't care for him. Not really. He was just the reminder of a woman on earth he came to love and who decided to betray him. Maybe he even hated his own son. No, Jean was pretty sure he did hate him. Especially after the decision he made was to sent him to the Arena.

Jean had tried to veto his case. He had the necessary skills. He could hold out on his own. He could make him proud. The reply had been that no one who looks like a measly human could be an offspring of his. That the only place that suited for someone like him was the Arena. That he should be happy, since at least he could die with honor fighting there.

There was no room for argument. Jean had no other choice. Nowhere to run to. No one to turn to. He arrived at the Arena and participated in several fights. He lost count in how many.

Did he really have a reason to fight? Even as he questioned that, his instincts fought for him, making him survive the fight. Fighting from one battle to another. Surviving, just to spite the man who had tossed him in the Arena. That was his reason to survive. To show him that he wouldn't die with honor. He would bathe in it as long as he could.

Jean stood on the Arena, waiting for the next battle to start.

Eve after his exile, Lotor was called "home" periodically to stand in the Arena and fight for his father's entertainment. He couldn't even say that he hated it, if he were honest. While the structure of the Arena itself and the fact that most of the opponents were prisoners or other enemies rather than volunteers disgusted him, when fighting with someone who was there by their own choice he found it an excellent way to keep himself in shape and to hone his skills with opponents of various levels and styles.

The boy today had not chosen to be there. Lotor had heard the story; the half-breed whose Galra father had signed him to the Arena rather than let him live. But the boy was fierce and had made quite the name for himself in the ring. Even before he set foot in the Arena, Lotor had made his decision.

He was impressed from the outset. This lad could fight, and do it well. Which stood to reason, as he'd be dead if he hadn't been good at combat. Lotor found himself dodging and parrying far more often than he usually needed to in this place, and he found himself grinning as he regained his footing for yet another strike.

This fight felt different. Jean found himself using every single skill he could to fight, but as it was he couldn't break the man's defense. While he was close sometimes, he still felt far our of his reach.

Jean should have probably been scared that this might be his last match. Yet he found himself excited instead. This kind of a fight was thrilling and he felt more alive than he had during the time he had been in the Arena.

That's why even though his sword flew out of his hand by a blow from his opponent, he didn't despair. If he had meant to die in the Arena, he'd rather die after a fight like this. While he didn't wish for death, he could at least accept it now.

After the Blade of Marmora and Paladins of Voltron started officially working together, it was decided that one Blade would stay at the Castle of Lions. It was for quick encrypted messaging and to aid the Paladins on missions that required more stealth.

Jean had been chosen for the task. He was a young Blade who always chose to hide his face behind his mask. Even as he arrived to the castle he was still concealing his facial features. While one of the Paladins was like him, both human and Galra, he didn't feel like letting tgem know that right away. Unless he'd be asked to show his face in the name of trust, he wouldn't.

"It will be an honor working with you, Black Paladin", he greeted Shiro. "My name is Jean."

"Welcome to the Castle of Lions, Jean," Shiro smiles, holding out a hand to clasp. He's been asking Kolivan for this for a long time, so to finally have it accomplished is a big victory in and of itself in his book. "Looking forward to working with you. Did Kolivan brief you on what you'll be doing here with us?" He's not in armor at present, just his civvies, but that doesn't stop him from somehow projecting an aura of command.

Jean clasps his hand briefly. He hadn't really expected to be greeted with a smile and in civilian clothes, but it's not like it mattered to him how the represented themselves. Shiro seemed to still hold a level of authority, even when not on duty. What else really mattered?

"You wanted someone here to deliver messages back and forth, using the specially encrypted Blade channels. Other than that, anything with stealth. Spying is not an option, however."

For obvious reasons, he wouldn't be able to infiltrate the Galra ranks as a soldier. Not that he really expected they'd come up with a plan like that or needed someone to waltz into a base, but if situation called for it. But just in case it did come up, he felt the need to say that it wasn't possible.

"Not traditional infiltration spying, anyway," Shiro says easily. "Good - at least he didn't send you in blind." He has a little bit of a small grudge against Kolivan for the way he handled Keith's information request, but he tries not to let it affect their alliance. "Come on. I'll give you the tour, introduce you to the other paladins and inhabitants, and you can pick out a berth. We figured you'd rather do that yourself rather than being assigned one. We'll also go over Castle security, what changes at heightened levels, get you some blueprints. It's a lot of ship, and even having been here a year we still haven't gotten through all of it."

Jean twitches a little bit. Did this man know? Kolivan surely hadn't told anything. Unless that was more of 'it's a too high of a risk anyway' kind of a phrase? Jean decides the latter is more likely true and just nods at what Shiro tells him.

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness, even though I would have been fine with any arrangements." He's here to work. Comfort wasn't part of the job description. At least, not most of the time.

"Being fine with something isn't the same as being happy and comfortable with something," Shiro points out. "You're going to be here a while, so let's at least try to make it a home."

It's an easy-going tour, covering the main living spaces, elevators between floors, hangers of pods and personal transports, camera view of the engine room, the holographic chamber that's housing an Earth cow for some reason, etc, even the bridge. There's a lot of trust here, offered with a calm demeanor and the air that if there were any arguments about it, they're long past now. Whatever paranoia eats at the heart of this team, they're ignoring it in favor of welcoming him and doing their best to integrate him into Castle life right from the start.

He gets to meet all the other paladins in situ - Hunk in the kitchen already offering him cookies, Pidge in one of the workshops cluttered with bits and pieces of machinery everywhere, Allura and Coran on the bridge going over some maps, and Lance in the shooting range of the training deck. (Lance is definitely showing off a bit and throwing his weight around until Shiro gives him a Look.)

If Jean was expecting the paladins' quarters to be all near one another, he's in for a surprise. Allura and Coran have their own rooms in the royal wing of residences, and Lance has taken over the Blue Paladin's suite in that same wing but a different corridor. (Despite wielding the red bayard and piloting the Red Lion.) Pidge and Hunk are just down the hall from one another in common quarters, within talking distance if they're standing at their doors. Shiro is also in common quarters on the same hall, but down at the end where there's a junction leading to the main body of the Castle. If the others yell, he'll hear them, and his room is slightly larger in dimension than the other two.

"There are other Paladin Suites, if you'd like one, or there's several floors of the common rooms, if you want," Shiro explains. "The larger ones have their own restrooms while the others share the communal ones down the hall. Feel free to poke around and have a look. All the unoccupied ones are unlocked, and when you choose one you'll have the option of setting up a lock for it. Any questions so far?"

There are many things on the tour that both confuse and surprise him. To cow being one of them. As someone who spend the first years of his life in Earth, he recognizes the species easily. He almost asks why there is a cow in particular, but perhaps not right now.

The Paladins are also a bit different from what he had imagined, but then he hadn't given them a lot of thought. It was their abilities and will to protect the Universe that really mattered - not how they acted outside the battle. So if one wanted to make cookies or one had the need to show off, that didn't really affect his view on their abilities.

Though Lance, being the way he was, reminded him of someone. Himself when he was younger. Somehow the thought makes him cringe, but also amuses him slightly.

Once they reach the end of their tour, Jean has a pretty good idea of the place he'd be living in. Deciding a place to stay in would be a thing he needed to do soon, but before that he does have a question.

"Just one. Aren't you going to ask me to take my mask off?" He found it a bit strange, even if also welcoming. None of the other Paladins seemed to have minded either. Were they really fine with someone just hiding his expression all of the time?

Shiro tips his head slightly, folding his arms and regarding Jean steadily for a long moment. "...I could. It would make a few of us more comfortable, to be able to put a face with the name and the voice. But at the same time, I know that the Blades are very particular about their masks, and about hiding their identities to meld with the group. Kolivan implied that you're fairly young. How long have you been with the Blades?" He sounds calm and curious, not pushy or aggressive. Sussing things out.

"Two Deca-Phoebes. To be completely honest, I haven't really grasped the melding with the group concept that well yet. I guess I still need some time for that to sink in."

Jean isn't still completely sure why Kolivan chosen him for this. Was it because his looks would make things more comfortable for the Paladins? Or maybe... he was really just useless for the missions at hand. He hadn't asked, because following orders was what he did.

"If you think that me showing my face helps you to trust me better, I will take off my mask. At least for you, who are the leader, if you wish to know."

"I think that's your decision to make in your own time." Shiro says it readily enough, with no visual or vocal indication that he might think otherwise. Looks like the Black Paladin might have differing opinions from the rest of his team.

"You don't know us yet. If you want to wait and get a better feeling for the group dynamics, that's fine. Keith and Kolivan both vouch for you-" though Keith did note that Jean follows orders almost too well, too exacting, without a lot of on-the-spot innovation "-and that's enough for me. I'm not going to ask it of you, and the others won't either. It's your choice."

The answer seems to be a well received one. While he would have complied and shown his face out of orders, doing it now when he wasn't going to be forced to was the biggest thing he could do to show that he was grateful. That was the reason he had been asking - to get a feeling for Shiro. He hadn't really expected to do it this soon, but he honestly felt comfortable enough.

"Then, my decision... This wasn't never about concealing my identity. It was rather to conceal what I am."

Jean reaches up to let the mask disappear back into his suit as he lets his hood fall down too. Underneath it all, he looks like any other teenager human would. There wasn't really anything Galra about him - much like it was with Keith. His eyes were closes to any traits Galra had, but even then it didn't give it away right away.

"While you already know Keith, I wanted to be sure I wouldn't be judged by appearance alone."

Shiro blinks, brows lifting a little in surprise, and his arms loosen across his chest. "...I have to admit, I was not expecting that." He studies Jean's face, eyes tracing the strong brow, long cheek, pointed chin. The brief sideways glance has to be for his ears, distinctly un-Galran and un-Altean in shape. "You have human heritage?"

Jean nods in confirmation. "My mother was a human. I lived on Earth for fifteen years until my mother passed away. My father took me with him afterwards and let me train with the Blades."

"That must have been about the same time as the Kerberos launch. Well. You've somehow managed to fall in with the largest clump of humans outside the Sol solar system," Shiro smiles, amused. "If you feel like leaving your mask off, I don't think anyone will cause you any grief. Just badger you with questions about where you were on Earth, probably, which would make anyone want to hide after a while."

He reaches out to squeeze Jean's shoulder gently with his metal hand. "Seriously, Jean. Welcome. It's good to meet you. Hopefully you'll be able to settle in and feel like this is as much your space as ours."

Jean + Voltron AU

Option 2, after Lotor flew himself into the sun but before he shoots Haggar's ship and saves Keith?

\o\

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icon keywords are extremely appropriate here

I love it when keywords match something

I AM SO LATE and im sorry (also this is kinda skimpy since ive neglected to plot)

I'm also late

well I'm later

but it's always worth the wait ♥

Option 2, Jean and Lotor meet

oh man this is going to get away from me. Headcanons like whoa

the beauty of psl's: headcanon away

Option 3, Blade!Jean / feat Shiro

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