Lance's pulse thundered in his ears. Keith was still trying to push himself upright, his arm trembling under his weight, but every time he moved, pain flashed across his face.
"You're not fine," Lance snapped, voice sharp because he was terrified. "Stay here. I'll get Shiro."
Keith opened his mouth to protest, but Lance didn't let him. He pressed Keith back down with a hand against his chest. "I mean it. Don't move."
Keith's violet eyes met his, stubborn as ever, but there was something softer there too. Something that scared Lance more than the alarms. Resignation. Trust.
Lance swallowed hard, then turned and sprinted out the door. His boots pounded against the metal floor as he shouted into his comm, voice frantic."Shiro! Medical emergency! Keith's hurt! Observation deck, now!"
Static crackled back, followed by Shiro's steady voice: "I'm on my way."
Lance forced himself to breathe, but every second away from Keith felt like an eternity. He had to get back-
A sound cut through the alarms. A sharp, metallic crack.
Lance's stomach dropped.
"Keith!" he whispered, already turning back.
Inside the observation deck, Keith had managed to sit up, gritting his teeth against the burn searing down his arm. He hated feeling weak, hated lying there while Lance ran for help. He hated being useless.
The ship shuddered again. Overhead, one of the exposed power conduits sparked violently, blue-white light snapping through the air. Keith glanced up just as the ceiling gave another ominous hiss.
"Oh no."
The wire burst, sparks raining down like fire. Keith threw up his good arm to shield himself, but a hot arc of energy struck the railing beside him. The metal seared, glowing, and a second bolt shot across, striking his side.
A raw cry tore from his throat as the electricity ripped through him, throwing him flat on the floor. The smell of scorched armor and burned skin filled the air.
Keith lay there, gasping, every muscle trembling. The alarms seemed far away now, drowned out by the roar in his ears. His vision blurred, dark at the edges.
Through the haze, his first thought wasn't of pain or fear. It was Lance.
And then, everything went black.