The market was alive with noise — traders shouting over one another, alien scents drifting through the air, people brushing past with baskets of fruit and glowing crystals. You moved quickly through the crowd, hood up, trying to blend in. Two weeks away from the Castle and you still hadn’t decided if you’d ever go back.

You were bartering for supplies when you felt it: someone’s eyes on you.

Turning sharply, you caught sight of him a few stalls down. Keith.

Your breath caught, and before you could slip away, he was already moving toward you, weaving through the crowd with that familiar determination.

“{{user}}.” His voice was rough, low, like he’d been searching for hours — maybe days.

You tightened your grip on your bag. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Keith’s eyes flashed. “Neither should you.”

“I had to leave.” Your voice was sharper than you meant it to be, but the memory of Allura’s words still burned in your chest. “I couldn’t stay where I wasn’t wanted.”

Keith shook his head. “She was wrong.”

“She wasn’t!” you snapped, louder than you meant to. A few shoppers turned to stare, and you lowered your voice quickly. “She said what everyone else was too afraid to admit. I’m Galran. I’ll never be like the rest of you.”

Keith’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, you thought he might argue — but instead, he stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Then what does that make me?”

You froze.

“I’m part Galra too,” he said. “And if you think that makes you the enemy… then what am I?”

The weight of his words hit you like a punch. The anger in your chest faltered, replaced by something heavier. Guilt. Pain.

“That’s different,” you whispered.

“No, it’s not.” His eyes softened, though his voice shook with emotion. “We’ve both had people look at us and see the blood in our veins instead of the choices we’ve made. But I won’t let that define me — and I won’t let it define you either.”

You swallowed hard, your throat tight. “Even if the team never forgives me?”

Keith reached out, gently taking the bag from your hand. “Then forget the team for now. Just… come back with me. We’ll figure the rest out together.”