I looked warily at the paladins.

"Wh-Who are you...?" I whispered, my voice coarse from the lack of hydration I was given. My blue ears folded back on my head, and I bared my fangs, my tail swishing back and forth furiously.

"Where is the King? Where is my planet?" I asked, tears in my eyes, "Did you destroy them?" I saw one of them give me a cup of water. I looked at it suspicously.

"You aren't trying to poison me?" I said, putting the cup to my lips. He shook his head, giving me a warm grin. I downed the water hoggishly, wiping my lips with the back of my hand right after. I cleared my throat.

"Where is my planet?" I rang out, my voice sounding clearer, "What did you humans do to it?" I heard a stepping noise. I gasped and immediately bowed.

"Princess Allura!" I said, "Are these humans your allies?" She smiled at me.

"Yes. And please, rise, brave warrior." I got up and looked at her.

"I am (Y/N) (L/N), princess of the planet Jihun. I do not know what had happened before I was in the presence of the paladins," I said, my voice wavering a little. The Princess placed a hand on my shoulder.

"We should talk."

(Timeskip)

Tears were rapidly falling out of my eyes as my claws dug into my hands, drawing blood.

"No, no, no..." I whispered, my eyes flattening in fear, "It can't be..." Allura patted my back.

"I'm afraid so, (Y/N)." My home, my family... my people... They're all dead. I felt like crawling into a hole and never coming out, but I knew that wasn't the right choice.

"I-I am fine," I said, standing up, "I will help you fight against the Galra, so I can be sure that my people did not die in vain." I looked at the paladins, eyes still shining with tears.

"It's nice to finally meet a new ally."

(Timeskip)

I was with Keith in the kitchen, talking over some light snacks.

"Have you always known that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes, looking at the object.

"... I-I guess I have... I hope it doesn't change your perspective of me..."

"... Of course it does," I spat, walking towards him. He sighed and looked at the floor. I then squealed and hugged him.

"HOW DO YOU HAVE THESE BEASTS ON EARTH?!" I screamed, "THEY ARE THE CUTEST LITTLE QUIZNACKS EVER!" I hugged the red hippo plushie, giggling and rolling onto the ground. He smiled, looking at me burying my face into the stuffed animal.

"Hey, don't ruin the plush (Y/N)," Keith chided, snatching it away from me. I whined and pouted, crossing my arms, tail flicking back and forth rapidly.

"I want ittt!"

"No."

"Yes!"

"No."

"Yes!"

"No!"

"No!"

"Yes!- Goddammit," Keith said, handing over the red hippo with a blushing face. I giggled and kissed his cheek.

"Thank youuu~" I said teasingly, seeing his fuchsia face. Making the hippo's arms move, I played with it as Keith stared at me, smiling. I turned to him suddenly.

"Keith?~" I said, my ears flapping a bit. He blushed lightly.

"Y-Yeah?"

"What other animals do you have on your planet?" I asked, getting down from the counter. He smiled.

"Well, we have these giant animals called 'elephants.' They have huge ears, and weigh a lot, so it'd be hard to carry them. And we also have these huge cats..."

For the rest of the evening, Keith explained all these different types of animals to me. I mostly just stayed silent in awe.

"Wow..." I said, eyes sparkling, "Earth is such an amazing planet..." I felt like crying, suddenly. Keith looked at me with wide eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asked, petting my back. I sniffed as more tears flowed out of my eyes.

"I-It's just... The animals remind me of my own, back home in... Jihun..." I whispered, shaking. He sighed and tried wrapping his arms around me. I leaned into his chest.

"Thank you, Keith."

"No problem."

(Timeskip)

It's been a year since I had been with the paladins. I came to know Keith more and more each passing day. It was about through half the year, I came to realize that I liked him. Now, my heart keeps on beating faster every time I see him, and my face gets red every time we touch. And I think he thinks of me as a friend... Sure, he's more open to me than anyone else, but I still don't want to ruin the friendship we've built.

"K-Keith..." I nervously said, playing with the edges of my clothing. He turned to me and smiled.

"Hey, (Y/N). What's up?" I gulped as I saw what he wasn't wearing. He wasn't wearing a shirt. Of course, he was in the training room, how stupid was I?

"N-Nevermind... D-Do what you need t-to do..." I squeaked, ducking into the corner. I ran as fast as I could to my room, slamming the door. I looked at the red hippo keychain plush I had made for him. I closed my eyes as a tear slipped out.

"Why do I have to be so cowardly?" I thought, wiping away my tears, "It's not like he likes me anyways..." I opened the door again after taking a few deep breaths. There, I saw Keith at my doorway, leaning on the door frame.

"(Y/N)- Have you been crying?" he asked, pushing me into my room, cupping my face, looking at my puffy, red eyes. I gasped as he landed on top of me, naked torso pressed against mine.

"K-Keith..."

"Answer me. Have you been crying?"

"P-Please..." I whispered, tearing up again.

"Have you been crying?"

"I-I..." I sobbed, tears staining my cheeks once again. Keith winced and hugged me, drawing circles on my back.

"Shhh..." he whispered, "It's fine..." It continued for a few minutes, with me finally calming down and looking into his bright purple eyes.

"I-I wanted to give you this..." I mumbled, handing out the small red hippo keychain. He slowly took it.

"I-If you don't like it, it's fine, I-I- Mmph!"

I felt a pair of soft lips on mine. I was still in shock when he broke away. His face turned redder than mine.

"I-I'm sorry, I-" Well, he was interrupted by my lips on his, my eyes closing. He took a moment to kiss back, wrapping his arms around me. I separated from the handsome Half-Galra.

"Quiznack, I think I'm falling for you~" I purred, kissing his nose. Keith chuckled and squeezed my hand.

"You already have."

"Yeah, you're right."

"The hippo will now be our symbol of love forever~"

"Haha, now that you say it, it's pretty true."

"I love you~"

"I love you too."