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One to many paladins all fighting for the greater good of the universe. A person getting uprooted from a spot they were destined to have. This is the scenario Keith now finds himself in. Being a part of a legend that touches the very corners of all time and space was never something he could have fathomed. Now that he was here, he couldn't have predicted the team now needing to decide who was possibly worthy. He told the team how Shiro should be the one to pilot the black lion. how he wasn't nearly qualified to be the leader of the defender of the universe. Keith wasn't around enough, he belonged with the blades. He reassures the team to satisfy them, or rather give them a reason or excuse for him to leave. Thinking back on the conversation with Lance about how he wanted to step down to allow Keith back into piloting red. He couldn't let him give up something when Keith had the opportunity to sort it out for him. He doesn't claim it to be easy leaving behind his family in search of something more. But it's necessary for himself, and for voltron. And… for lance. “If you think that is best for the team we support you” allura spoke. She commanded the room in a way, anyone would fear to disagree. The room is tense with emotions that, as a team, have been felt too much these days. “Thank you guys, for believing in me. This is a quest I have to go through alone.” he muttered with resolve. Allowing a bit of sadness and hope to reach through. Wanting to say more he opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. He doesn't know what else to say. How do you say goodbye to all you've known? Look someone like Lance in the eyes and tell him he's leaving for who knows how long. It makes him almost fall apart. His hands are shaking, he's barely holding it together. Just a few more minutes and the tight hold Keith has on his emotions might break. Like a strong dam finally cracking due to built up pressure. Keith nods his head then turns and makes his way through the door away from home. Home, what a funny word when you grow up never having one. Now he considers shiro, lance, and all the others to be the place he returns too. A home galaxies away from the place he once thought was the end. He's afraid to admit how terrified he is, but he remembers something his dad told him about firefighting. He had sat Keith down after Keith had cried about his dad going into another burning building. He told him “a fool goes into danger without fear, a hero is brave because he has fear..” Keith had taken his advice to heart that night. As he walks he grinds his teeth. A habit he picked up while dealing with anxiety as a child. Shiro tried to get him to break it, but old habits die hard. He guesses he's not the only one falling into bad habits these days. Pidge, getting less and less hours of sleep to try and understand alien technology. Hoping her research will help the coalition to a faster win. Hunk, stress baking over problems and issues he shouldn't have to see or deal with. Clutching others emotions close to his chest, feeling them as his own. Shiro, not only getting lost to the grip of space, but parenting children, trying to raise them and keep them safe for the sake of himself and their families they hope to return to. Lance, a boy who was only wishing to see the stars now facing horrors known only to hardened veterans. Forced to kill others to keep his family safe. A boy who through all the pain stays happy and bright to assist morale. Is this who they are now? Child soldiers forced to fight a war no adult or leader could handle themselves? He sighs, rather not dwell over the negatives in his departure. As he comes up on the hanger where his blade ship sits, he hears loud footsteps come up behind him. He turns to see lance running up. As he thinks about it now, Lance has grown a lot over the time they have spent away from home. He isn't just the cocky cuban boy he admired from afar at the garrison. He's now Lance mcclain, red paladin of voltron. He's stronger, taller and more lean. Not that Keith has been paying attention or anything. Still too young to adorn armour and a weapon built to kill. “Hey, Mullet, wait up” Lance yelled as he came to a stop in front of him. He's out of breath, probably ran from the bridge all the way here. He’s wearing his standard jeans and jacket. What he wore outside of the garrison uniform back on earth. It was Stark contrast to Keith’s Marmora uniform. In which he hasn't taken off as of recently. Lance's lips are slightly parted, slowly trying to catch his breath. Keith winces, he should stop being an idiot and staring, and just respond to him. Hard to ask when he's very much into guys. “Uh what do you need?...lance” oh real smooth Kogane, make the guy think you hate him. “Oh i- uh” lance stammers out. He looks nervous, his cheeks turning pink slightly. Reminds Keith of tulips. “Do you…have something to tell me?” Keith responds with a tilt of his head. Trying to decipher why Lance was in such a hurry to see him before he left. Keith purposely tried to leave fast so he wouldn't have to look lance in the eye and finally say his goodbye. He breathes a sigh and starts to turn for his ship. If Lance won't say anything, maybe it's best if he makes his way to leave. His teeth yet again grinding, trying to hold his emotions in. “Mullet, no keith, i just wanted you to know” lance shifted his feet and tugged on the hem of his shirt. The shirt he's worn religiously since they left earth. “I just…will you try and be safe out there? We don't know a lot about the universe and there's lots of ways to get hurt. I- we don’t want to have to plan your funeral, oh that was dark. Wait I mean” it was endearing to hear him be concerned on his behalf. Not that he would ever admit it. “Lance your rambling,” Keith whispered softly. “I, uh, I'm sorry, I just want you to be safe out there. I know we haven't ever really been on the best terms, but i do care about you and your dumb hair” he scuffed his foot on the ground while looking down. “Don't worry lance, i know how to take care of myself.” strike two keith, at this point just sock him in the face and tell him to go away. Why can't he just say something nice to lance. Lance turns away and starts to walk away. Keith speaks up. “No, I'm sorry that wasn't great” he signs in frustration. “I'm not great with emotions. you know?”“Wow, really?” Sarcasm dripped from lance. I guess he isn't wrong, Keith isn't really known to be open about what he feels. “But I'll try to be safe, I promise” Keith rolled his eyes. “That's all I'm asking for Mullet.” as lance speaks his eyes soften, sending a look of adoration. Then turning to leave. “Oh and lance?”“Yeah?”“Feel free to call me whenever, I can't guarantee I'll answer, but I'll try. Okay?”Lance nodded in understanding, turning toward the hangar entrance. Spotting shiro in the doorway. He looked older, more stern than Lance remembered him.“Lance, can I speak to keith…alone?” Shiro asked. No he demanded. “No, uh yeah, I was on my way out anyway. You know me never staying still.. ha. See you later Keith“ he squeaked then rushed out. Shiro waited to speak until Lance was out of earshot. “Keith, are you sure this is the best decision? The team might need you” the tension of the hangar went up as lance left. The room went from awkward and soft, to harsh and electric. “Shiro you know damn well you can't convince me to stay.” Keith replied with heat.Keith couldn't understand why he was so mad at the person he considers a brother. Maybe it's out of some sort of instinct. He doesn't know what all of his galra genetics affect yet. Shiro spoke again “I'm just saying, you might be a better choice of pilot… to red, lance isn't right hand material” Keith was shocked, what was wrong with shiro to say something like that? Lance was an amazing paladin. The best right hand a leader could ask for. Kind, understanding, and dare he say patient. “I'm not discussing something like that with you. Worry about piloting black and leave the paladins to the lions." Keith snapped. He turned away. “Oh and shiro. Keep an eye on lance, i don't want to come back to see him hurt” Shiro simply nodded his head. letting Keith hop into his pod and leave the hangar. Just like that he was gone.—- Lance felt embarrassed, he totally stuttered in front of keith. Not that it ended badly, he did get permission to annoy or call Keith at any time. Lance would definitely call that a win. Well a win in becoming friends in a totally friendly way. He just simply wants to be his friend, that's all! Oh who is he kidding, he's always felt drawn to that dark moody personality he loves to hate. He pulled his knees to his chest and closed his eyes. But why would Keith, the smart, strong and skilled fighter, want to be friends with lance. Let alone what lance knows deep down he actually wants..something more. Lance rolls over in his bed to face the door sitting up. Thinking how he could possibly call keith. He'd have to muster up the courage sometime over the next movement. Get it over with, and face his fears to talk to the boy he feels needs to be in his life. He wonders what Keith is even doing now. It's been over 6 varga since he left. Roughly 8:00 pm earth time. Could he be training to be the secret emo combat ninja the blades aspire to be? Studying to lead the blade to a new era of galra. What about sitting in his new bed in his new home thinking of what us at the castle could be doing. It's out of lance's hands now. Keith has gone away to find out about the universe beyond. He got away. Though Lance knows Keith will always have a way back home. At that he got up, put his jacket on and left to go do some late night training. If Keith can join the blades and work on getting better. Then Lance can get off his ass and train to be a better paladin.
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Training. oh boy does lance wish he wasn't training right now. The week after Keith left shiro decided since their best fighter was now gone voltron needed to get stronger. Now to preface he does agree that voltron can work hard to get better. He always saw posters of basketball players as a kid telling him even the best can improve. He means anyone can always get better. But making the team feel like they are worth nothing without Keith makes his stomach churn in anger. His anger isn't directed at Keith, but more at the effects of his absence. If he were more stubborn he would say something to shiro, but it isn't worth getting yelled at again this week. Especially since Shiro was pretty much his hero growing up. “Lance! focus” shiro barked “Yes, sir!” lance yelled back.He was confused why shiro wasn't even involved in the training. He's just standing on the very outskirts watching each of them closely. Lance swung his gun into a robot. He should use his own advice. Everyone needs to get better, not just the weak links. He shoots a robot behind Pidge. “Jesus! Lance, watch where you are shooting!” Pidge screamed in frustration. Lanced nodded and continued watching hunks six. He knows that in battle everyone is stressed. He just doesn't understand why they still don't trust his shooting. He has proved on countless missions that his shots will hit and not endanger those around him. For now he chooses to ignore it. “LANCE! DUCK” allura shouted. Who was he to disobey the princess? So as told he dropped to the ground. Knees on the floor, head tucked and gun ready for a split second reaction. Apparently this was not the best decision as just as he hit the ground hunk turned around and was shot right in the chest. He then slowly flopped to the ground and was out quickly leaving only loud snoring. Coran then rushed to check up on hunk. Lance winced he knew hunk was okay as they set the robots to stun, but that doesn't excuse the fact he just let his teammate get shot. He feels the fatigue setting in. “Lance! What the hell were you thinking!” Lance could see Shiro marching his way over. Oh this was about to get too real. “If we were in battle, Hunk would be dead. This is war lance take it seriously” Lance could only look down as he got scolded. His teeth grinding on his lower lip. “Uh shiro it was my fault, i told lance to duck, he was only trusting wha-”“Allura!” He schooled his expression. “I applaud you for sticking up for him, but he should have been more aware of his surroundings. It's his one job.” shiro huffed out.Lance did not agree with that. He does way more than watching and shooting…right? He bites his lip harder, drawing blood. “Lance, do you understand how bad of a mistake that was? How stupid it was to get so lost you fail your teammates” lance continued to look down “are you even listening right now lance?! Just leave it to you to goof off and not even listen to critics.” he shook his head in disbelief. “M’ sorry” Lance apologized softly. He tries and tries but nothing is ever good enough.“You know what lance? I don't want to see you right now. Go find somewhere else to be for the time being” he couldn't understand why shiro was being so mean. So he spoke again.“But shi-”“Go!” Shiro pointed to the door. Lance couldn't stop his feet or the sobs that started to escape. He bit his lip again to try and muffle them. He was out the door before he could think. He could faintly hear some arguing as he left, but could not hear it over the blood rushing through his ears. Or the sound of his own sobs echoing through the castle corridors. He now sits in the pilot chair of red with his knees squeezed to his chest. trying to get control of his fast breathing and beating heart. He doesn't know how long he sits there staring at the hangar through reds tinted glass eyes. Trying to understand how it all went wrong. Why? Waves of worried emotions flow through his mind. Red. of course she would be worried about what's going on. She's way different from blue and how she treated him. Red is like a fire, she intrudes on your thoughts never leaving a second of doubt in how much she cares. It's a change to blues subtle hints and nudges of comfort. He wonders if Keith was treated the same way. Or if the lions change and adapt depending on the paladin that pilots them. “Oh” he says out loud. His voice scratched from crying. How could he forget about keith. Would he have stuck up for lance against shiro? Keith could have been there, if not to talk too, but to know was at least safe. Lance's mind wandered from training to worrying for a certain purple eyed boy. Is he safe? What would he do if they got a call from that galra with the braid that Keith died on a mission. He ran back into some base on fire like the idiot he is and didn't make it out in time. Maybe he should call him tonight and ask how he is. It can't hurt right? “What are you doing lance?!” Lance jumped out of his seat,and ran down the ramp to an angry shiro. “You missed dinner and made everyone worry! What the hell were you thinking?” There he goes again with the phrase what the hell were you thinking. he sounds like a broken record. “I wasn't thinking, I was finding another place to be, just like you requested” lance snapped back. “That's right lance!” Shiro spat with disdain. “You weren't thinking, you never think. All you do is take up oxygen with stupid remarks.” Shiro turned to leave. “and lance, don't worry about getting dinner. We put it all away, you can prepare something for yourself” he finally let out a breath as Shiro finally exited. Not understanding why hunk, or pidge would let lance just not eat. It's not like them, or is it? His confusion keeps growing more as the days go on. The team feels like it's falling apart. Like lance could be dying and no one would hear his call. He tries to come up with a reason why shiro could be acting this way. All he can come up with is that Shiro is secretly a clone trying to tear the team apart from the inside out. Though that's just a crazy scenario. He's probably just stressed. Besides, Lance deserved most of it anyway. At this point he's been hurt so much he's just used to it. He felt red grumble in disbelief. “Sorry girl, I know, I know. No negative thoughts. Got it.”
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Cold. That's how lance feels shiro has been treating him. Cold remarks, cold shoulders, and cold stares. A constant reminder of how he is the seventh wheel. The wheel strapped to the back of a truck only used when needed. A spare left out to age and eventually be replaced when it doesn't have a use anymore. That's how he feels, how shiro makes him feel. It's a stark contrast to the shiro he went to space with. The space dad mentality he had way back when. He knows it's not only just Shiro giving him this treatment. But accepting the possibility the entire team is on their last straws is too much for him to handle as of late. So here lance sits, on the floor of his room, knees pulled to his chest pondering the point of moving forward. Who is he fighting for? His family at home? Mamá, his abuelita, and his siblings? They don't even know he's alive. Well they might if pidge's dad made it back to earth. For so long the reason for moving forward was them, but is it still his driving force? Who else could he?It all comes back around to Keith, Keith Kogane. The boy who left him behind to pursue his past and future. He can't blame him for doing what he did. Lance would have absolutely done the same thing in his shoes. Wanting to see a part of your life you've never been able to reach. Doesn't mean lance can't mope around waiting for the day the one person who cared comes back. Lance then glances at his space cellphone. Courtesy of pidge holt. Pondering if he hit the call button, if Keith will actually respond. He stood up, grabbing the device and setting it on his desk. Propped up with the camera pointed towards his face. He reached out, hesitating. Does Keith actually want to talk to lance? Did he say what he said in that moment to satiate lances emotions?“Now or never loverboy” Lance whispered to himself. He pressed the call button pulling his hand back like he was shocked. This is really happening? He actually took Mullet up on the offer to talk to him. The phone line rang, and rang. Losing hope, Lance started to shrink in his seat. Forgetting the fact that Keith said he might not respond. Just as Lance was about to give up the phone dinged and opened a picture of Keith in what looked like a bedroom. “Ah, I thought you'd forgotten about me by now.” Keith huffed. “Keith hey, what's up? How are you? What's going on with you?” he scrambled to say. “What's going on lance? Is something wrong?” his eyebrows pinched together in thought. “Ah you know the usual space lion shenanigans ha, ha, ha” oh great lance way to be confident. “Cut the bullshit mcclain. Tell me what's going on. You only ramble when something big is weighing on your mind.” Keith was concerned what could have brought lance to this state? Bags under his eyes, cheeks gaunt, and his spark snuffed. Maybe he was too blunt, not like he's ever worried about that when it's concerning those he cares about. “Fine mullet you got me.” he looked down at his fidgeting hands. “Things haven't been great with the team recently. I- the team hasn't been great to me i guess.” “Who?” Keith questioned. Hoping, praying he doesn't say shiro. Knowing all too well the conversation they had before he left. “Shiro, he hasn't, it hasn't been good. I-.” he stopped, unable to continue. “What happened lance? This doesn't seem like shiro, its- i do believe you. It just doesn't seem right.” he ran a hand through his hair. Stressed now more than ever. Not conveying his concerns quite yet. “I don't either, Mullet. It's confusing and hard to grasp. I can live with it though, everyone is just stressed.” Lance tipped his head back taking steadying breaths. “I'm not so sure. I can come back for a visit to see what's going on. Lance, you don't have to do anything alone.” he suggested. Wanting an excuse to come back to voltron, to lance. At that, alarms started blaring, notifying Lance of an incoming fight. A knock resounded through Lance's room. Followed by a yell. “Stop slacking off, get to your lion!” Lance winced. Of course Keith would have heard that. “Lanc-” lance cut him off. “Gotta go, bye!” Lance slammed the button and sighed. It's time for him to return to his duties of the universe. Hoping Keith doesn't hold hard feelings. Here he goes. Lance does not get paid enough for this. Four quiznacking galra cruisers, at least fifty fighter jets and a whole lot of debris. To top off this absolute shitshow of a disaster sunday. The rest of voltron is so focused on themselves that they don't see that 80 percent of all the fighters on the field are tailing Lance like he personally offended them. Which is a given since they are galra and he is a paladin of voltron. So here he is now diving in between the cruisers praying to Dios that he doesn't die. He swerves left, another fighter. He turns his cannon and shoots it down. Turns then swerves, then moves his cannon to shoot. One after another over and over. He's halfway through and out of breath. He feels red starting to wear down. He himself is on the verge of exhaustion. the cockpit heating up because of the overuse of the lion's special abilities. He never asks for help knowing what response he usually gets, but he has no choice. “Hey guys?” he grunts out, “can anyone lend a paw?” trying to lighten the mood while also asking for help. He should know not to get his hopes up. A private channel with shiro opens up. “What did I tell you Lance!?” he recoils at shiro's tone.”can you not do a simple task to take down multiple fighters? Keith would have taken care of them by now!” lance smashes the close channel button. Leaving a permanent silence to his cockpit. If no one's gonna help him he will have to do it alone. It was going so well until this point. He took down almost all the fighters all while helping the other paladins with their fights. It really was his mistake, all the blame is on him. While helping Pidge with the extra fighters he turned his back on the horde behind him. Big. Mistake. All it took was one shot in the middle of Reds armour to render him useless. The shot rocked his cabin. All the lights flickering and power systems shaking. He was rolling and tumbling through space. He didn't know if the others knew as his communication was cut off since the talk with shiro. At some point his belt broke and the momentum flung him up. He smacked his head on the windshield, and as the lion steadied. He could feel a voice in the distance. Just barely reaching his tired ears. “D…t….li…en…..t….im…… es …..a….clone! lance…..Pl..ea.s…..” Shiro? Why would Shiro be talking to him? He thinks. I thought the comms were off. A clone? Lance wanted to decipher this more but he was too tired. When he landed a piece of metal had lodged itself in his stomach. He leaned on the dashboard. His hands that gripped his stomach were now slick with blood. All he thought of were the people he never got the chance to say goodbye too. He slowly slid down the dash letting the cockpit slowly fade away, finally at rest. Coran should have known. He blames himself for the Red paladin sitting in the pod. Out of all of the earth dwellers, lance was the kindest and most sincere. Unable to stand up against anyone if it means hurting them in any way. He would hop through any hoops to keep others happy, even at the expense of himself. And quiznack, coran should have noticed. During training he didnt think about it because he was so focused on making sure Hunk was safe. He berates himself for not knowing, saying something sooner. Intervening when lance ran to the red lion for solace to eventually get yelled at for being in his safe space. This shiro is not the same man as before he disappeared many moons ago. Coran should have noticed, should have talked shiro down from rampages he only inflicts on Lance's kind understanding soul. He looks upon Lance's foggy relaxed face in the pod. Seeming as if he hasn't rested in many movements. It was his job to watch over these children making sure they remain safe. He failed his job, he failed these kids and he failed king Alfor. “Oh my boy, we as a team and family have failed you. I am deeply sorry” a tear traces down his face. Coran can only hope he can make amends with lance before it's too late.
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This isn't the first time lance has fallen out of a pod straight onto the floor. Though unlike last time, absolutely no one was in the room. Racking his brain he tried to recall how he ended up here.
Oh, the fight.
He replayed the battle over in his head. they are probably mad he failed the mission and ruined it for everyone else. Ruined the chance for the system to finally be free from zarkons rule. That is a trend that seems to be happening lately. He decided to get up and make his way to his room. Getting off the floor is a whole different story. He tried lifting himself up, but all his limbs are complete jelly. He can't call for help since he doesn't even know if it's day or night. Or if anyone would even come help him. He lays back down and sighs in frustration. He supposes he is stuck here until his limbs decide it's time to obey him. Maybe he will just wither away to never have to face space war again. The good thing is he now has time to think about that strange encounter with shiro. If what he thinks shiro said is correct, someone is a clone. A clone that lance should under no circumstances trust. Now you can see why that sounds absolutely bonkers. Not only did the guy that has made his life a living hell tell him this. But he is inclined to trust him. How can you blame him for believing though? He's currently in a flying castle in space. Anything is possible in this reality. Now that he thinks about it all of his comms were turned off. How would Shiro be able to contact him? Why would he plant a seed of distrust? None of this makes sense, not one bit. It makes him wonder what other secrets team voltron may be hiding. “Lance! Lad! Shiro said you'd only be cooking for one more varga? I would have been here to assist you” coran blabbered as he helped lance into one of the med cots.“Now don't move one snarfle. I'll be back to grab some blankets to make you more comfortable!” Coran yelled back as he sprinted out of the room. Gone before he could get a word in. All lance got was a simple breath out before he was bombarded by allura and shiro barging into the room. “Lance! Didn't I tell you to get your act together before you ruin the team completely?” shiro growled. His arms crossed with a look of disgust. Peering down at lance like he's merely dirt to be crushed under his space boot. Completely ignoring the fact he was just released from a pod. “Allura you saw what happened i-” lance tried to explain. “I'm sorry Lance, I'm going to have to agree with shiro. You haven't measured up to the rest of the paladins. We might have to consider bringing Keith back in to replace you.” She looked almost sorry as she explained how he could get booted from a team he didn't even join voluntarily. “Do you understand lance?” shiro questioned. “Yes…sir” Lance didn't feel like agreeing. He felt like crying because people who he once thought the world of are looking at him like he is replaceable. Is he? Could someone else be at the same level of sniper skills? He didn't register them leave the room he did not register when coran came back in looking worried. He just stared at the wall completely locked into a mind set of nothing but negative thoughts. Was he good enough? Do his friends actually like him? When are they gonna send him off to space to die alone? Unbeknownst to Lance, coran has rewatched the castle video footage completely garbled that the princess and leader of voltron would say such things to the red paladin. What the quiznack is happening in the castle? The next day Lance recovered enough to walk around the castle visiting the other inhabitants. His first stop was pidges lab with hunk. As he walks he wishes when he walks in they would accept him with open arms, telling him to join them. To have fun with his closest friends after so long apart. He should have kept his hopes down. He could not even get five steps into the room before Pidge looked up from her gadget. She snarled “Lance we do not need your stupid distractions, we are doing important work here!” she growled and continued her work. “Yeah, Lance, buddy she's right. We need to complete this. Maybe call keith? He might be able to entertain you” Before hunk could finish he ran out. Is that how they think of him? Someone needing to be entertained. Like a toddler that has to be babysat? He wants to cry and scream and hop in a pod and never come back. He might be immature for thinking this but could you blame him? Pidge was right about one thing. He could call Keith, not to entertain him. But to just talk about life. Friends don't entertain each other, they enjoy one another's presence. Once he was back to his room he set his camera up the same way he had before preparing for a talk. It rang, He held hope. And rang more, His smile started to fall. The final ring, Keith. Didn't. Answer He knows realistically he's probably on a mission unable to respond. This doesn't mean it didn't hurt less. No one had wanted him. He was alone in the giant void of space with no one to care. He could jump out an airlock and die before someone would know he's missing. His hands start to grip his hair, and his arms are shaking. Pull yourself together mcclain, He thought. He grabbed his clothes, ran to the bathroom and closed the door. Slowly approaching the mirror he took in his appearance. Gaunt face, unhealthy slender body, and his eyes aren't the bright blue he remembers. They have dulled to a grey. Showing his slow roll into depression. A paradox unable to be cracked. An unsolvable problem not even Einstein could understand. This is not Lance mcclain. Lance McClain died with the love, trust and friendship of his found family. To say Keith was worried is an understatement. Ever since his conversation with lance he's thought too much about how shiro treats lance. Why would he yell at him like that? How far has voltron fallen to where they isolate the red paladin. Some would say he's biased with how he feels about lance, but he'd say that he's the glue of the team. Why would you take a heat gun to glue to take apart a sculpture that was meant to shine. Keith could not understand. If only kolivan would let him go back to the castle he can solve this mystery once and for all. Hopefully lance can hold on just for a little longer. He will stop at nothing to make sure he is safe. Even if he has to go through shiro first.
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It was seemingly the same as every other battle they had fought in. Two giant cruisers with dozens of fighter jets tailing them trying to kill them. To a normal person that would seem positively insane. Too lance, this was his normal, or well as normal as it got these days. This was his plan; go in and shoot down all he could, help his teammates complete tasks, and ultimately win the battle so he can inevitably sob in his bed. All in all this idea works out in most situations. Well in most situations his teammates aren't turning on him and the galra have a normal amount of fighter jets. This, being just his luck, was not the case. As team voltron started to engage, all these facts slowly became known. Lance knew that voicing his concerns might have backlash, but the team's safety is his top priority. He turned on his mic and spoke into the comms. “Team, I've calculated an increase in the number of fighter jets since the last fight we had, watch your tails.” he spoke with hesitation, almost waiting for the comeback. He didn't have to wait long. “Lance, were you even listening during the briefing? I had already done the math. The amount of jets hasn't changed. Stick to shooting dumbass.” pidge snapped with venom. Her voice crackled as it fed through the channel. “Yes, ma’am” he whispered. Berating himself for missing a vital detail, a detail as important as the number of enemies. Though a small part of his brain is screaming at him telling him he's right. “Lance what did i say about using the comms when unnecessary” shiros voice boomed through his ears. Lance winced, unable to hold back a remark. “You never told me that shiro.” lance quipped back. He should not have done that. He very much should not have done that. Oh god. Oh no, shit. “Strike three mcclain, we'll discuss punishment back at the castle.” shiro growled. Lance could sense a hint of satisfaction in his tone. Like he was waiting for the moment to finally crush lance underneath his metal hand. Lance has never been more terrified. The battle raged on, and the fighter jets were relentless. Lance kept getting hit over and over. Shot after shot rocking the cockpit and leaving red one step closer to pure destruction. He could hear her cries of anguish as they crashed like waves over their shared bond. Almost like a whisper he could also feel waves of concern and anxiety over not just his physical state, but his mental state. He ignored these feelings, now was not the time for his pathetic emotions. “Everyone get into formation.” shiro yelled over the comms. This was normal, this was something he could do. Despite his exhaustion he will always know they can rely on voltron. “Form voltron!” flying together felt like puzzle pieces finally finding their place together. Voltron was an unstoppable force only getting broken apart by the deepest of disturbances. It's a symbol of peace and prosperity that spreads through the hearts of everyone that hears of it. The lions flying in a v to eventually form together into a higher being is almost a work of art destined for gallery viewing. Or that's what forming voltron is supposed to feel like. This time it felt as if a ton of needles were pin pricking at his skin. The normal mental connection he has with the team feels like a frayed rope snapped from the main line. He must not be the only person feeling this. He can hear hunks groans of pain, and pidge muttering not understanding what could be the issue. Allura and shiro arguing over who could be the issue. Acting as if the failure of the team as a whole could be pinned on one sole person. The more they pushed the more wrong it felt. Lance couldn't take it anymore. If they can't form voltron then they should focus on what they can do with the lions to protect this system. “Lance, why are you pulling back!” allura screamed. “Forming voltron clearly isn't working, so I'm going to do what I can to win with what we have.” assuming since no response came through the others must agree with him. It was now a race of who can take down who the fastest. The pattern repeats as he swerves, evades, aims and shoots. He shoots down fighter after fighter. Having given up on asking for help eons ago. He's alone, so very much alone. Keith left him, his team forgot about him. His family likely believes he's gone for good. So now in a time where he's never felt more alone. He faces down a fighter jet likely containing a skilled pilot. The one fighter jet who's hellbent on taking the red lion down. But he doesn't know Lance, the lance who would do anything to complete this mission. Who thought of all scenarios, of all the ways he could end this strategically. It's as if a fire was lit into him. Maybe this was why the red lion chose him. There was only one option he could think of. He could feel the reluctance of red beneath his fingers. Lance knows that she wont stop him now. He glances at his fellow paladins fighting for their lives. He then looks at the fighter and the looming galra cruiser towering behind that fighter. The world goes quiet. All he's focused on is the engine panel on the cruiser and the small weak spot in the fighter's armor. He knows what he has to do. Red also knows what his plan is, she sends warning signals through their bond. Almost as if to say please don't do this cub, you will die. He knows he could die trying to accomplish this. Who would care? At least he would go out helping to save others. That's all he's ever wanted to do. One breath in.One breath out.“It's now or never,” lance whispered. “Hey red? Tell Keith I love him,” he slammed his bayard into the console and jerked his controls forward. Letting muscle memory take over. Closing his eyes and accepting is fast approaching fate. Reds jaw blade had formed, flames licking up the blade's edge. Despite the lack of oxygen present to feed the fire. It all happened in slow motion. Red leaped forward cutting through the fighter with ease. Then continuing at top speeds slicing through the hull of the cruiser and snapping the engine clean in two. It was over. Lance had done it. His awe was short lived as the coming explosion rocked red and shot them tumbling straight towards the uninhabited forest planet they swore to protect. The red lion flipped and flopped twisting lances stomach and bringing nausea and whiplash. He could feel his vocal chords straining from his shouts of surprise and pain. He could hear nothing over the sounds of systems shutting down and the rushing of blood in his ears. As he entered the atmosphere debris that was previously floating was now crashing down on him. He felt pieces of plastic slice into the skin of his face. Unable to remember when his helmet was ripped off. He was getting closer and closer to the ground when his belt was cut from a flying piece of glass. As he flew up out of his seat the world slowed down. It was almost a place of peace amongst chaos. This lasted only a tick until his body was thrown into the ceiling and then slammed back into the floor. The lion finally crashed into the surface. As for lance, he suspected these last moments of pain would be his last. His breaths were labored and his vision blurry. He was cold, the air hitting his skin like knives. His only thought at that moment is what Keith would think. This was his last thought before he gave up. Ignoring red roars of distress. He accepted the peace that lay in the dark. Keith had a feeling of impending dread that filled his entire being. He woke up this morning on his shuttle to a cold sweat. As he and Kolivan traveled closer to the forest planet voltron just liberated. He had time to try and figure out what could be causing his anxiety. He doesnt think it has anything to do with the mission. The mission was simple, check the plant for an intelligent or active civilization. Or as kolivan likes to call it, cleaning up voltrons' mess. As a former paladin he's offended but unable to disagree. This still doesn't make him feel any better. Why would he be so off put by a simple scouting mission?“Keith stop pacing.” Kolivan murmured. Amusement heavily in his voice. “Sorry, something just seems wrong, I'm probably overthinking. Dont worry about me”“I'm sure everything will sort out. Stay focused keith." The soft amusement is now gone. Keith knows it's time to lock into the mission. No task should be underestimated when in the hands of the galra empire. He just hopes lance is okay.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Him and kolivan had split up to try and cover more ground. This job would be a whole lot easier with scanners, but pidge is a part of voltron and voltron can't stay in one place for too long. So here he was trekking through thick jungle with only his mind to occupy him. On missions like this many things cross his mind. What he would be doing if he were still on earth. Would he continue to search for shiro for the rest of his life? Would science have advanced enough to where we could have become a space faring race? Was the blue lion destined to be found one way or another? Was Lance destined to be pulled into piloting the lion no matter the outcome? He knows Lance has spent most of his free time missing his family. Could he have prevented Lance from the suffering of space? Would he have wanted to? If he could go back, he doubts he would have done anything differently. The pull to have lance close is too strong. He's selfish like that. He would rather drag the boy he likes through hell and back then regret ever meeting him. Does this make him a bad person? Causing harm to whom you love for the sake of your own feelings?A conundrum debated over for centuries. Luckily he is not a time traveling wizard so he will not have to decide his morals in real life any time soon. For now his right hand man will stay close. Keith continues to toss thoughts back and forth in his head when he comes across a thick wall of vines. Lifting his blade he sliced through creating a hole for him to step through. What he saw on the other side made him stop. It was the red lion. What could the red lion be doing here? Why does it look like she crashed? How did she get here? Why didn't voltron alert kolivan of- his racing thoughts came to a stop. “Lance?” his eyebrows furrowed. “Omg, lance!” Keith took off in a sprint to the lion. The lion that was crumpled on her stomach. “Shit, shit, red please open up, i need to reach him.” please be alive. Please be alive. After a few seconds of deliberation, Red mouth opened up, allowing Keith inside. It was a gruesome scene. Blood was smeared across the floor, and glass and debris littered the cockpit. The one thing his eyes focused on was lance lying in the middle barely breathing. But he was breathing. Keith was at his side in an instant. “Shit lance, it's gonna be okay.” he slowly pulls him into his lap. “Please wake up, i need you to wake up” tears slowly start to fill up his eyes. How could this have happened? Lance begins to stir. “k…e..th?” Keith sucks in a breath at lance recognising him. “Yeah, it's me buddy.” he replies, wincing at lances wet coughs as they wrack his body. “You're gonna be okay, it's all going to be okay.” Keith doesn't know if he's reassuring lance or himself. “You ... .came..ack” lance whispers. His eyes were shining in a way that was beautiful, a stark contrast to the horrors at which he lay. “Save your strength, okay? I'm going to comm kolivan and get you back to the castle. Don't worry.” it took a second to get his comm. The blood on his hands making anything he grabs slip out of his hands. “Kolivan, do you copy?” he realizes his voice is hoarse from his cries of anguish.“Copy, what is the situation?” kolivans voice filtered through.
“I- I found the red lion crashed with lan- the red paladin injured inside. His condition is critical and I might need to pilot the red lion back to the castle to save his life.” he knew his voice gave away his emotions. He was too worried to care. If Kolivan noticed he didn't make that fact known. “Copy, do what you have to do keith. You have my full permission. Go save Mclain." Keith could hug Kolivan right now. Though that will have to wait. He tosses the comm to the side and focuses on the next step. “Hey red,” his voice shakes. “I know I'm not your pilot, but can I please pilot you for the sake of lance?” he waits for the rejection, for the moment he has to spring into action and carry lance back to the blade transport.
You didn't even have to ask
That's all the confirmation he needs to get moving. He turned toward lance gearing up to pick him up and move him to a safer spot. “Hey I'm gonna pick you up, okay?” He leans over and sets his arms underneath lances, legs and upper back. “M’kay” was a simple response. Keith knew Lance wasn't awake enough for him to fully understand what was going on. As Keith slowly lifted up, Lance started to whimper in pain. It broke his heart to hear such noises come out of someone who was always so happy. “Hey, hey shhhh, you're okay it's gonna be okay.” He ultimately decided the most secure place lance could be is in his lap. Any other day he would be a mess. But right now all he can focus on is making sure Lance survives this journey. He maneuvered red out of the forest and into the sky, and put in the coordinates of the castle. He intended on leaving red to autopilot herself so he could focus on lance. Once he's sorted out all of the navigation he peers at lance below him. Curled over the seat with his legs dangling over the right arm. While his head rested on Keiths lap. Keith knew that letting him sleep is not ideal in terms of medical advice. But as long as Lance was breathing and still alive he would let him rest. Even in his sleep Keith noticed the deep circles under his eyes, and the worry lines that only plagued the toughest of veterans after long battles. Is that who they were now? Soldiers who have seen all too much of the world. His next course of action was calling the castle and asking why the hell they left him on the forest planet. As he was about to patch himself through he felt a wave of discomfort come from red. This made him worry as she had only done that whenever the castle was mentioned. What has the team done to lance to make the red lion not want to go back to her home, her pack. “I dont know whats going on girl, but the castle is the best place to heal him. Don't worry though, I will tear whoever hurt lance a new one. And that's a promise.” After reassuring Red, he finally patched the comms to the castle. “This is Keith piloting the red lion, does anyone copy?” he tried to sound professional and hide the anger in his voice. “Keith? Why are you in the red lion?” he could point out that voice anywhere. What made him more angry was she probably didn't know the red lion wasn't even in the castle. Unbelievable. His back molars grinded in frustration. “Katie, I want you to listen closely and carefully and do whatever I say. Am I clear?” he gritted through his teeth. Knowing the use of her real name would set the tone. “Keith i dont-” she tried to respond. “Am i clear!?” he yelled back “Uh yes, go ahead” “Good, i want you to call coran and tell him to prepare a pod for lance. After and only after you do that I want you to get allura and wormhole to my position. Once you complete those tasks I want you to explain why I found Lance on a forest planet crashed and injured with no prior notice of him missing." Keith gritted out. “Uh yes, I'll do that right now. Hold tight.” she responded. Panic evident in her voice. Keith took a sigh of relief, and leaned back with his head up. Trying to reign in the building frustration and anger that overtook his being. He can't afford to get angry until Lance is safe in a pod. As she promised, It only took a few minutes for the castle to appear in front of the lion. It felt like a blur carrying lance to the med bay and helping coran in putting him into the pod. He doesn't know how much time has passed in the meantime. He feels the stares of the team behind him as he gazes at Lance's face through the tinted pod glass. He knows at least someone feels remorse as he can hear the sniffles of hunk a mile away. He waits to say anything, wanting the situation to really settle into everyone's skin. He wants them all to think about what has happened. “I will not claim I know the full story,” Keith began as he turned around to face the room. He doesn’t think of a time that he has been more serious than in this moment. Maybe it's all the time spent being the protege of the most powerful rebel galra. Or possibly out of pure spite. “But, from how I perceive it. You all failed to notice Lance's absence at the end of a tough battle. You failed to notice his absence in the castle a whole day after the battle.” he continues, staring into the eyes of each and every person. “I want to know why, and to be frank, how you could forget about someone you consider family?” Everyone remained silent. Hunk has tears running down his face, and Pidge looks like one step away from being in the same boat. Allura and Shiro have hardened faces, barely having one ounce of sympathy. This makes Keith seethe in anger. But one thing makes him stop. It was coran, staring at lance through eyes of pure regret and concern. It makes Keith wonder what the old man could be thinking. “Why did I let this go on?” coran whispered.“Why did this poor boy suffer, because I refused to believe his family would betray him..” coran walked up to the pod placing his hand on the glass. “Coran, what are you talking about?” Keith questioned. “It all started the week after you left for the blades.” he trailed, “it was simple moments, easily being passed up as stress. I stray remark here and there. Telling Lance they were busy, that they didn't have time for him.” coran began to explain “i didnt start to really notice until shiro started to target him, i should have stopped it then. It only spiraled. Not long later the princess started to yell at him. It was after the first injury that required a pod. I was going to stage an intervention, but everything fell apart. I couldn't protect him.” Coran was in tears now. “As of the last battle, I asked Shiro where the red paladin was. He had told me he was in his room. That he had returned safely. And I believed him.” Keith was shocked at corans confession. At how Shiro and the team treated Lance in his absence. How could they?“Shiro, is what he said true?” Keith spoke quietly. “Keith, bud you know me. I would nev-" Shiro argued.“I said! Is what Coran said the truth!” he was all out yelling now. Seething in anger. “Yes”“I want everyone but coran out! Now!” he growled. It didn't take much since everyone filed out of the room quickly. He took a breath, coran didn't deserve his anger. “Please make sure he is okay, he is my top priority.” coran nodded. “Keith, I thank you for caring for Lance when no one else did. I'm in your debt”Keith grunted in response. Taking his place next to Lance's pod, preparing to wait until he got out. Counting down the agonizing seconds until Keith can finally understand how this could all happen.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Was the world spinning or was it just him? Is what his mind supplied to him the second he was able to form thoughts. Were they coherent thoughts? No. Is he falling? Lances tried to flail out his limbs to find any anchor point, something to prevent him from landing flat on his face. Just his luck his long arms would not move. Down he went. Closing his blurry eyes he waited for the inevitable impact. “Mph” lance doesn't remember the floor evening being soft. “Hey, lance? Buddy? Can you hear me?” Was that keith? Lance could feel the tension between his eyebrows as he tried to recall the last things he remembers. The forest plant and the fight to keep it safe. His last ditch plan to leave the cruiser out of commission. The crash, how did he survive that crash? It should have killed him. His next breaths were quick and harsh, trying to reel in oxygen as if his life depended on it. Ha, funny. “Lance slow the hell down, listen to my voice okay” all lance would do was nod. It's Keith, all it is, is keith. He can do this. After a few steady moments of Keith holding lance, and lance trying, and for once, exceeding in calming the hell down. He lifted his head from Keith's shoulder to stare into his eyes. Searching for any ounce of malice and anger he has received over and over. Nothing. “Hey, Lance you with me?” Keith questioned. “I, uh, yes. I'm cool now.” Suddenly the space between them kneeling on the floor felt all too real. Sitting back off his knees and unto his back side he waited for Keith to initiate the conversation. “I'm assuming you remember what got you here?” Keith stated. Lance took a moment to collect his thoughts“Yes…I'm sorry you had to deal… with me” lance breathed out “it wasn't my intention to, uh you know nevermind” lance didn't want to admit that when he went to slice that cruiser, he didn't intend to make it out alive. “Lance, I don't know what happened or what led to you crashing on that planet, but I'm here now. Talk to me.” Keith pleaded. His once sharp eyes softened to show a rare form of affection lance had never experienced. Lance could feel his words catch in his throat. Thinking of the times he has been mentally beat down. He looked down at his hands, and the scars that litter his palms. The hours spent trying to prove his worth to a leader he once looked up to, leaving permanent reminders of his supposed failure. “Am I worth it?” lance whispered. Keith's eyebrows drew together. “What are you talking about?” “Keith, I was supposed to get replaced once we left the battle. Shiro had made a threat. I-. my crash was an excuse to get rid of me!” his hands went to grip his hair to ground him through this striking realization. “Lance breathe please” Keith spoke as he softly grabbed Lance's hands in his own. Pulling them from his head and into Keith's lap. “Everything that the team told you is complete bullshit. Do you hear me? I knew something was off when you called me. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you.” Keith out of his peripheral vision saw the scars. He whispered “what happened?” “I needed to prove myself, the scars are just a consequence from my training” lance responded. “Lance?”. “Mhm?” lance huffed. “Can I hug you?”Lance nodded. Keith encircled his arms slowly trying not to make the other more uncomfortable. Keith never claimed to be good at comforting people, or good with people in general. But this isn't about him. It's about Lance, and how he was mistreated. Lance simply broke. His tears welled up in pools on Keiths shoulder and collarbone. His sobs are quiet and sorrowful as he clung to Keith like a lifeline. Minutes passed before Lance was able to calm himself enough to speak up. “Where is everyone?” lance questioned. Confused as to why not a single person has entered in the time he was awake. “I told them to stay out,” Keith explained simply. “You deserve a good support system right now, they have showed their incompetence” Lance thought about pidge and hunk and what they were thinking right now. He knows logically they are kicking themselves. But his heart has been cracked to the point he doesn't know whether they would bother with him. “Do you want to see them?” Keith asked. “Pidge and hunk, they didn't give me a reason to not trust them” lances shrugged. The lie easily falls past his tongue. Keith ignores it. “Stay here, i'll go get them” lances nodded and went to sit on the medical cot in the corner as Keith got up to leave the room. Keith glanced back to see if lance would be okay, then he left.With nothing to do but think, Lance reminisced. Why was Keith acting so nice to him? Was he really mentally abused so much that he couldn't see Keith helping him or yet understanding him? Sticking up for him? What happened to him? All of this comes back to shiro. If shiro says something the team follows. Whatever he states becomes law. Like the commander and chief signing a bill into executive order. As he thinks about it now, Shiro had never been like this after the first time he was captured. The more he reaches into his memory the more instances resurface of any member of the team failing and not once did shiro ever raise a hand or voice. Let alone threaten a group mate. Is it hard to believe that after so many months in captivity a person can change? No, that type of trauma would change anyone. But despite that fact Shiro did not lose his kindness and patience. Now he has a completely different personality. It's almost like he's a different person. “Lance!” Lance's head snapped up to the door. Previous thoughts quickly forgotten. “Pidge?” He responded to the young girl. She looked worse for wear he thought. Eyes rimmed red behind her glasses. Exhaustion seeps from her frail frame. As much as he might be frustrated with her for not listening he could not turn her away. He's an older brother, helping his siblings through hard times is what he was made for. “Oh, Pidgey, come here.” he muttered. It's as if that was all she needed. In a flash she was crawling onto the bed into his arms. “I'm sorry, I could have done something. We are your family” she sobbed into his chest. It broke Lance's heart to see her in this state. “Shhh, Katie it's okay, I'm okay” he didn't say he forgave her, that will come with time. But he can reassure her. Nothing could separate him from his family. Even if it's not by blood. “No, lance it's not okay, i will never be” she started. “Lance?” another soft voice answered from the corner. He was too distracted to even notice hunk and Keith walking back in. Lance didn't even get to speak before Hunk had pulled him and pidge into a bear hug. And oh how he missed this. “Hey guys? Did I ever tell you about what I heard in the astral plane?” lance spoke, only slightly muffled by hunks vest. “You entered the astral plane?” pidge inquired. Huh? He would have thought shiro would mention it. “That's funny shiro never said anything he was there too” lance spoke back. And then it hit him. What shiro had said “D…t….li…en…..t….im…… es …..a….clone! lance…..Pl..ea.s…..”.Back then he thought shiro was making some sort of sick joke. His brain had supplied him with the astral plane, as the comms were off and he still heard shiro. But he knows now. What shiro had said was “don't listen to him, he's a clone”. Lance gasps. He hears keiths boots rush to the bed. “Lance what is it?” Keith questions gesturing for hunk and pidge to give him some space. “That shiro is not our shiro” he states while staring Keith directly in his eyes, conveying his seriousness. “Lance, please elaborate,” Keith pleaded. Not wanting to believe the person he thought was his brother was anything else. “During battle I heard this voice as I spun out of control, like, like the world entered slow motion. It was shiro. At the moment I couldn't quite understand what he was saying. He told me not to trust him, that he was a clone. He practically begged me to- and i didnt” lances hand flew to his mouth. How could he have missed this? “Lance, are you positive?” Keith asked. “Positive” he clipped back. Pidge then spoke up. “So what's the game plan?” hunk nodded and then agreed. “Yeah no seriously. This is wild.” “Here's the plan. This is a delicate situation. Not shiro doesn't know that we know. And as of now we aren't in any danger. It's getting late, so we will think of a plan after a sleep. Hunk, pidge, I'd prefer if you guys were to stay together tonight for my own peace of mind,” the duo nodded." I'll take Lance and we meet in Reds hangar at 8. Are we clear?” they all gave their different forms of agreement. “Wow mullet, didn't know you'd get wise over your little expedition” lance wiggles his eyebrows. “Com’n sharpshoot lets get you to bed” he drawled. It didn't take long for them to reach Lance's room. Once they got inside Keith ushered lance into the bathroom to change into comfortable nightwear. After they both were ready, Lance spoke. “Why do you care?” Keith turned around at Lance's question. “What do you mean?” “Idk you've always been closed off, you just didn't seem the type too,” lance shrugged. “Despite what I've shown lance, I do care deeply about you, all of you. I mean the team.” good save Keith he thought “lets just go to bed okay? I can take the floor.” Lance ponders Keith's response. “You could always sleep up here ya know” lance lifts the comforter. Play it cool. “The floor will be uncomfortable” it's like Keith froze in place. Get it together he thought. “Uh okay, yeah, just stay on your side.” he quipped. “Aye aye captain” lance responded. As Keith layed down and they were enshrouded into darkness the world faded away. In other times lance would have been over thinking, but right now. All he could think of is how he has who he needs right where he needs him. And tomorrow they will face the storm together.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
6:00
“So, uh… what's the plan?” Lance asked as he rocked back and forth on his heels. Him, Keith, Pidge, and hunk had met in the hangar as planned to discuss the elephant in the room. Or rather the clone in the ship. Imposter in the pasta? He decided to end that thought there. “Yeah, not to be a downer, but we uh, can't just stroll up to shiro. Not shiro? And ask ““are you a clone?”” hunk quipped. Wringing his hands, outwardly nervous about the coming escapades. His eyes darted around the room trying to gather the overall atmosphere of the room. “Hunk, pal, that's the stupidest idea I've ever heard.” Lance smirked, “I say we trick him into revealing his identity through deception.” He suggested slightly bowing with hands spread. A smirk slowly sliding across his face. “Lance that is the dum…well actually you know. That could work” pidge added then turning to keith “his idea actually sounds pretty good… for once” jutting her thumb out to lance who's slightly behind her. He now has his arms crossed with a closed off stance. A wince had flashed across him, barely even noticeable. It was a call back to the pain and failure lance must have felt at his teammates slander. In a moment it was gone, he was back to his eccentric self. “Wooooo! You hear that, I'm a fountain of knowledge," Lance cheered, turning to face keith. Keith's lips tilt up. Happy at the tension Lance was able to naturally ease out of the group in difficult times. The tension Keith knows lance still holds within. “Slow down sharpshooter, we need to refine the plan before executing.” Keith had almost added the infamous quote of shiro. Patience yields focus. It was a bitter thought to think that shiro wasn't even there. They didnt know if he was even alive. As the last events occurred he made a choice to push down his emotions of his missing brother to fulfill his duty as leader. It wasn't like him to not explode in anger and lash out at those around him. Lance did not deserve that. It was a miracle that he is able to even be civil with hunk and pidge. “So here's the plan.”
One hour later
“Oh man, I slept like a baby!” Lance yawned as he walked into the dining room. Just as they had expected, the only one in the room was shiro. He sat alone in the middle chair on the right side. He looked perplexed, like he wasn't all quite there. What he's doing doesn't matter, Lance has a mission to complete. Now to start what lance (to Keiths dismay) had dubbed, operation: imposter defroster. “Good morning lance. Have you heard from the other paladins? I haven't seen anyone this morning,” Shiro responded without looking up from his goo. Normally lance would be concerned about the absence of the other occupants of the castle. Not today. The four of them gathered both coran and allura into the bridge where Pidge could distract them. Hunk and Keith are stationed outside of the dining room ready for intervention. Keith himself hadn't even wanted lance to go in alone. “I think everyone is on the other side of the castle playing monsters and mana. Way too boring for me to play,” Lance stated. He then made his way to the table, and sat in the chair directly across from shiro. It's go time, he thought. “No one will bother us for a few hours..” he trailed. Place the bait and poke the bear, exactly as Keith suggested. “Interesting” shiro clipped. His eyebrows were drawn together, and lance could discern a shadow of a smirk flash across his face. Shiro looked up, his eyes flickering purple. Oh crap, lance thought. “Don't act foolish Lance, I know you know,” Shiro slowly stood. In the moment all Lance could think was how he heard the conversation with both him and keith. He could feel the sweat start to build in his palms. “Uh, you do?” he squeaked. This is not good. So not good. Lance scrambled out of his chair and took a step back. “And you know what lance mcclain? Who would even believe you if you told them I was a clone? Mhm? Who would believe the stupid, foolish, loverboy, over a leader. The leader of voltron” shiro hissed. Suddenly he was right in front of Lance. Wait, that means he doesn't know that Keith knows. His thoughts were halted when Shiro lifted him up by the neck. Fingers slowly closing around his esophagus. “I've been wanting to get rid of you since I was placed in the castle” he all but spat into Lance's face. He scratched at Shiro's hands trying to get him to let go. His nails leave angry red marks in Shiro's flesh arm. “Do not touch him!” a voice spoke with malice. It came from the doorway. Keith, his mind supplied him through the fog as his brain lost oxygen. “Ah, Keith, it seems my cover is blown” shiro tossed lance into the counter, like it was nothing. His back hit the counter top with a crack, knocking what air he has left out of his lungs. Falling to the ground, dark spots danced across his vision. The world spinning out of focus. In his blurry vision he could see Keith take a step further in. Then his body slumped to the ground out cold. “Lance!” Keith cried. He wanted to run over and check if he was okay, but the threat right now is the clone. “You are gonna regret that” he hissed. “You will never defeat me keith.” Shiro boasted his arms outstretched, an invitation to try and best him. “I always thought you were weak, brother. The poor orphan boy who has nobody” he mocked. “You are not my brother,” Keith shouted.“You are gonna die just like your dad, and just like lance” shiro quipped back gesturing to the unmoving boy behind him. That was all Keith needed to run at him. What this shiro didn't know is he spent hours of every day training against kolivan. Shiro blocked Keith's first punch and swung underneath his arm towards Keith's abdomen. Keith swerved left twisting until he stood behind shiro. “You've gotten better keith i applaud you, yet you are not good enough” shiro turned around fully, his back now facing the door. “It's not me you should be worried about,” Keith said with a smirk. At that hunk peered through the doorway and shot shiro with a blaster set to stun. The look of surprise hung on to Shiro's face as he fell to the ground unconscious. At that Keith turned to lance and rushed to his side. “Hey lance, can you hear me?” he whispered as he placed Lance's upper body in his lap. Hunk now kneeling on the other side. Lance's eyes slowly blinked open revealing an array of burst blood vessels in his eyes. “Loud and clear red leader” he croaked with a soft smile. His voice hoarse from the trauma applied to his throat. “Wow, Lance even injured you still make movie references” Hunk whispered. Clearly trying to lighten the dark atmosphere. “We should get him and shiro into pods, we can discuss the next steps in the med bay”
Twenty minutes later
“I think I'm getting deja vu” Pidge voiced to the room. The entire team was currently lounged in the med bay waiting for Lance to wake up. This time they were on good terms, well mostly good terms. Keith himself stands in front of the pod that houses lance. While hunk and pidge sit on a cot playing go fish shrouded in blankets and pillows. They had built it in anticipation of Lance getting released. Lastly, coran sits next to allura against shiro's pod. Both disregard the man behind them to focus on Lance's pod. Both of them already have gotten caught up on what had transpired that very morning. “I also agree with you little green one, I am optimistic that future missions will not end in major injury. I intend to implement communication team building to help in our weak spots.” coran explained. The team all nodded and voiced their agreement. The room slowly settled into a comfortable silence. Until allura spoke up. “My actions thus far have not been up to my peoples standards as a princess” she spoke. Her voice breaking with raw emotion. “And they have not been to the standards of you, my friends.” she pulled her legs to her chest. Taking a breath she continued “I don't just owe an apology to Lance, but I owe an apology to all of you. Had i stuck up to shiro, i- just following behind him mindlessly i took away any opinions anyone else had. This is a team, a family, and none of you deserved this treatment and I apologize.” At that hunk and pidge abandoned their game of go fish to group hug both coran and allura. Keith decided to stay and observe due to his own reservations about the others. He will get over it for the sake of Voltron and his family, but that doesn't mean he can't be bitter now. He looks back at the pod after hearing the releasement beep. The glass slides away and lance slowly slumps into Keith's arms. “Hey samurai.” lance whispers into Keith's shoulder. “Howdy, sharpshooter,” he whispers back. “Let's get you to the cot.” he says as he helps lance to the corner of the room. Once he's sat and effectively swaddled into every blanket in the castle, Pidge climbs up and places herself next to him on the headboard. The others all filter around whether that be on the bed around it or on a chair. “Hey guys. How's it going” Lance asks questionaly. Pidge slowly leans into his ear and says “you get hurt again so help me i will break all of your bones.” “Uhhhhh” lance gulps. As if forgetting what she said, Pidge reached over with both arms tucking herself around lance. “I love you” “Aw, hermana, i love you too” he spoke into her hair letting her cling onto him. Then he looked up and saw keith. He didn't just see Keith, he saw him. His deep purple eyes and soft smile, the deep eyebags that accompany them. How his hand sits next to his on the downy blankets. It's as if everything in that moment became clear. The boy he's always seen as a small crush now sits before him as what may be the brightest star in the galaxy. He was too lost in his staring to notice Keith started speaking. “The discussion for what to do with Shiro is urgent, but Lance needs to rest, and so do you all.” he declared softly gesturing the group out of the med bay. At that pidge whispered to lance once more “please tell him. That was painful” pidge whispered then slowly dissolved into giggles. Lance sputtered with his face slowly burning up. “Okay kid time for bed” Keith commanded fondly. Once everyone was out Keith waited at the door debating on staying or walking away. “Keith, stay,” Lance called out. His hand outstretched, and eyes longing. “Why?” Keith's voice broke, betraying him. As a response, Lance got out of the bed and took a few wobbly steps. “Lance, sit down please” Keith pleaded. Body moving forward to help lance. “Why?! Keith? Why…? Why would I force the one person who trusted me and believed me to leave me? You were my light when shrouded in darkness. You flipped the switch. Why would I want you to leave?” he spoke with ferver, tears running down his cheeks. “Keith all i could ever want is you” he cried. Lance slowly fell to the ground in sobs. He's hunched over, hands placed on the floor, tears starting to accumulate beneath him. Keith took slow steady steps and dropped beside him. His hands hovering over lances back in hesitation. “Lance i- i didn't know i-” he stuttered. “Forget it. Just go…please” lance trailed off. He clenched his hands into fists and refused to move. Maybe if he stayed here Keith would leave him. He doesn't want to be alone, but the possibility of further rejection plagues him. “Lance, sit up…please.” Keith whispered, a string of sadness rang through his voice. Slowly lowering his hands onto lance he lifted his back softly until lance was face to face with him. Keith took in every detail of Lance's face, eyes roaming all over. Those same crystal blue eyes he walked away from, the eyes he found broken and afraid. He didn't say anything. How could he? Keith lifted his hand off Lance's shoulders and gently set them on either side of Lance's face. All he could do was try and convey his feelings through his own eyes. “Keith?” lance questioned with eyebrows cinched together. He was prepared to ask Keith what he was doing, but Keith beat him to it. Keith leaned forward until their breaths danced together. “Is this okay?” Keith whispered. All lance could do was nod. It was as if all moments led up to this, the goodbye, the rough hello, sharing a bed to a petty fight. A red string tied on their pinkies since the early garrison days. Something bigger than them delaying the time when finally their paths converge. It felt as if all time and space stopped for a single kiss. The dark room surrounds them, and the med pods lighting up the room with a soft glow. They were out of breath, a long tender embrace lasting mere seconds but feeling like a lifetime. As they pulled apart they gently rested their foreheads against one another. “I'm sorry I was never strong enough to show you I care. You deserved better lance," Keith murmured. “The past doesn't matter, right now we look to the future. We look to earth and we will find a way to bring shiro back. I know how.” Lance spoke with determination. “You know how?” Keith asked. “With the help of the black lion,” Lance smiled.Things were starting to look up for them and for the team. For right now they will take this road one step at a time. “Oh keith” “Yeah?” “I love when you cradle me in your arms. It's like a bonding moment," Lance stated. Keiths mouth tilted up in a smirk. “Hey lance” “Yeah?” “I love you”