This isn't my idea of fun

Chapter One: I can't believe I'm stuck with him

Keith is a fairly sheltered eight year old. He's never been off of his home planet Daibazaal, so today is technically a big day for him. Even if it really isn't. They are on a planet he can't remember the name of, for a ceremony he honestly doesn't care about.

His brother is getting married.

No.

Wait.

Engaged.

His brother, crown prince Lotor, is getting engaged. Lotor's intended is from the planet Altea, a place that has been at odds with the Galra people for centuries. She's a pretty girl, twelve years old with beautiful long white hair and interesting marks under her eyes. Her smile is very political, Keith cannot tell if it is genuine or not, but given the circumstances it probably isn't.

Even he knows this isn't an ideal engagement for either of them.

Still, they are here to watch the ceremony for their engagement. With the galra, you can say you are engaged until you're blue in the face, but it isn't true until you come to this planet, wield a flame created by your spirit and set it alight with there's in the large basin at the top of the stairs. Keith's mother, Haggar, just explained it, he doesn't understand much but from what he gathers the torches they hand you create a flame special to your soul or something and combining the two souls is really special. Like holding hands but stronger.

Absolutely no takesies backsies, which is a scary thought.

Haggar goes on about the ceremony and other stuff for what feels like forever, so Keith decides to busy himself. He looks around and finds a boy close to his age, who looks a lot like the princess with his dark skin and white hair. His eyes are a deep blue, even from where Keith is standing, and he finds himself walking over to get a better look at the pretty boy.

Pretty boy notices him and Keith feels his ears flatten against his head as those blue eyes begin to stare him down. Keith is not pretty, he has been assured of that. His body is not Glara enough. While in public he can control it and bring his normally pale white skin to the powerful hue of purple the Galra are known for, he still is too small, too thin, too weak looking to be an attractive Galra.

An attractive anything, really, because he's not even pretty like the Alteans are. They exude grace and dignity, while Keith is all fire and impulse.

He has nothing in common with either of his races.

"Who are you?" Pretty boy asks, getting Keith's attention back.

"I-I'm...Keith." He answers, pointing to Lotor as he heads up the stairs with Allura's hand in his, "That's my brother."

Those blue eyes narrow in anger and Keith gets nervous, "I'm Prince Lance, and that's my sister." He huffs, crossing his arms, "I can't believe she has to marry someone so unworthy! She's far too pretty for him!"

Keith sees red. His brother is the best in everything. Everything. Including looks!

"Prince Lotor is amazing!" He yells and suddenly Lance's face is in his, forehead to forehead as the Altean prince yells back.

"He's stupid! Like you!"

Keith loses it, "He's not like me, how dare you insult him!" He screams and before he knows what's happening the two of them are fighting. Punching and pulling and pushing their way unknowingly up the stairs until they bump into Lotor and Allura. The prince and princess fall down, their torches falling as well.

On instinct the boys grab them, and suddenly the purple flame Lotor carried turns red and the pink allura had turns blue. Before it even registers to Keith, he and Lance have crashed into the large basin which suddenly roars with a large flame of red and blue dancing together, a purple darker than Lotor's flame emerging where they touch in the middle.

"Uh-oh…" Lance mumbles beside him and Keith's blood runs cold. He's in so much trouble.

"Oh no…"

Terrified, Keith turns and sees everyone glaring at him and Lance. Their father, mothers, siblings, all of the guards and political leaders. Everyone is mad and Keith is scared of the punishment he will no doubt receive.

There is silence for a long time as Keith looks between the angry crowd, the shocked prince next to him and the roaring fire standing strong and proud behind them like it didn't just get him into worlds of trouble.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Zarkon speaks up.

"I suppose it is our sons now, who are betrothed." He shoots Keith one more terrifying glare before turning to Lance's father, King Alfor of Altea. "We do not have much of a choice. Their souls are connected now."

King Alfor lets out a heavy sigh, "I suppose so, although I was hoping for a marriage that could produce heirs...but I suppose it's fine." He looks to Zarkon curiously, "Does this son of yours have a title? I don't believe I've heard anyone call him 'prince'..."

Zarkon looks nervous, because Keith isn't a prince, he's not sure what his title is but it's not a prince. It's definitely lower, because he is lower.

"Well we had given him another title, since I had planned on him becoming the leader of our army when he got older," He lies, "However that will no longer be the case so I suppose he shall also be a prince."

King Alfor looks skeptical, all of the Alteans do, but he ends up shrugging it off. "Regardless, these are the betrothed. My Lance is only seven, so I will send him to you in eleven years." He says, looking more than a little upset at the idea.

Allura was to stay in Altea and Lotor was going to come live with her, as is the way when a woman is involved in the marriage. Since there is no woman in this one, and neither of them are taking the throne, it really could go either way in who goes where but obviously King Alfor assumes Zarkon will want reign over them.

"Nonsense," Zarkon huffs, "We had planned for Lotor to go to your world upon marriage, why should it change? Keith shall come here when Lance is of age."

There's a look in his eyes that match King Alfor's.

It's relief.

Keith's heart sinks at the fact his father is excited to be rid of him.

"This is the worst…" Lance mutters beside him and Keith's stomach twists.

In eleven years he will be going from one person who hates him right to another.

A/N: I needed to write this. My ghost hunting au doesn't have enough Klance, since it's more about friendship...for now.