See you soon
“Do we have any snorlax left?” Lance as he walked into the lounge, his jumper half zipped up and falling off one shoulder. His hair was a mess, he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “Snac-lax Lance. It’s called snac-lax. Not snorlax!” Keith didn’t look at Lance, “Why are you guys talking about pokemon?” Pidge asked as they looked up from their computer, Keith sighed. “We’re not, Lance keeps calling the alien coffee snorlax. It’s called snac-lax.” Keith still hadn’t looked up, “There has been alien coffee and no one told me!” Pidge almost yelled, “Ugh, Keith, make them shut up.” Lance flopped onto the couch and fell onto Keith’s shoulder and flailed one arm out in Pidge’s direction. Keith finally looked at Lance. He was sitting close and leaning against himself, Lance’s eyes were shut as if he was trying to sleep. “Why are you practically sitting on me?” Keith asked, “Warm, and quiet.” Lance mumbled as he moved slightly closer to Keith. “Sorry to interrupt this adorable bonding moment but I still want to know about why no one told me about alien coffee.” Pidge complained, “We thought you knew, plus what do you think Lance is always drinking?” Keith spoke quietly as to not disturb Lance who was slowly falling asleep but loud enough that Pidge could hear him. Pidge shrugged, “We should still have some left, top left hand corner of the pantry in the kitchen. You won't be able to reach it though, get Hunk to help.” Keith still spoke quietly. “Oh come on! You're just saying that so I don't drink it, aren’t you?” Pidge whined. “No, I'm saying that because I can’t reach it either. Lance put it there so I didn’t drink all of it, I have to get him to grab it for me.” Keith said matter of factly, “Oh.” Pidge laughed and left to find the Snac-lax. Pidge had left Keith alone… with Lance. With Lance hugging his arm and falling asleep. “What am I supposed to do now?” Keith asked himself, Lanced mumbled something. Keith had no idea what Lance said but he assumed Lance wanted him to shut up, besides Lance just tightened his grip on Keith's arm so he wasn’t going anywhere. Might as well try to sleep, right?
Lance was sleeping the best he had in ages, he wasn’t sure why though. Maybe Keith’s body heat reminded him of when his younger siblings had nightmares and slept in his bed or maybe it was because Keith. Maybe it was his body heat reminding Lance that he’s not alone, maybe it was Keith’s steady heartbeat that sounded like a calming melody in Lance’s head. No, it wasn't Keith. Lance had just slept properly for the first time in a while and he happened to be cuddling Keith at the time, nothing unusual. “Hey Keith? How are we supposed to make this space alien coffee thing?” Pidge asked as they walked into the room with Hunk. “oh! Sorry guys, we'll come back later.” Hunk whispered loudly as he dragged Pidge out of the room, “At least they're not arguing.” Hunk shrugged. “That’s it! That’s your reaction!” Pidge whispered very loudly, “I mean, yeah. Lance used to hug my arm and fall asleep on it all the time back on earth.” Hunk spoke quietly as he walked back to the kitchen. “Wait, really?” Pidge asked, they were very confused. Hunk nodded, “It’s not really my place to say but Lance didn’t have the best home life before we left earth. He hugs people and falls asleep on them when something troubling him. However he only does it with people he trusts, I've only ever seen him do it with his twin and myself.” Hunk spoke gently, he really hoped he hadn’t crossed any lines by telling Pidge. “Oh, I hope he’s ok. He hasn’t really seemed to be himself recently, but I'm glad he can trust Keith.” Pidge spoke softly, they would never have guessed that Lance had a tough home life. I mean he’s always talking about his siblings, although he doesn’t bring up his parents often.
Lance groaned quietly as he rubbed his eyes and lifted his head. Oh shit. “Lance?” Keith mumbled, not moving a muscle, “Uh, yeah. I’ll get off you now.” Lance tried to push himself up from where he lay on Keith’s chest. “Don’t.” It wasn’t forceful, it was gentle. It was a request, Lance smiled. Lance didn’t respond but he found himself settling back against Keith’s chest. Despite being taller by a fair amount Lance was lying on top of Keith. His head rested by Keith’s collar bones, his breath was warm and soothing against Keith’s skin. Keith had tilted his head to the right to allow for Lance’s head to rest in the crook of his neck, one of Keith’s hands rested on the back of Lance’s head. Fingers occasionally toying with Lance’s hair. His other hand rested at Lance’s hips. Keith’s leg that was the closest to the back of the couch was raised slightly as a result of somehow moving from sleeping upright to on his back. “Why?” Lance whispered sadly, “Why, what?” Keith questioned. “Why are you letting me lie down like this? Why are you not angry?” Lance whispered, his voice shaky and unstable. “I’m not a monster Lance. I could tell you needed to sleep so I let you, I didn’t plan on myself falling asleep though.” Keith smiled, he hoped Lance knew. “Plus it feels nice knowing you trust me enough to fall asleep around me.” Keith tightened his hug on Lance slightly. “Thank you.” Keith could feel Lance smile, it made his heart flutter and he couldn’t give a damn if Lance could feel his heart beating quicker.
“Paladins, Matt and Samual to the bridge asap. We have news about the trip back to earth.” Coran spoke gleefully, “I uh guess we better go.” Lance carefully lifted himself off Keith, “Yeah guess so.” Keith smiled and took Lance’s hand that was held out for him, “Before we go, I just want to say thanks. You know for letting me sleep on you.” Lance giggled, it sounded weird saying he slept on Keith. “I used to hug my sister's arm all the time, I guess I was so tired that I did it to you but fell asleep.” Lance was quiet as if it was preventing Keith from getting angry at him, “Like I said before, I’m not a monster. Besides, I slept well, can’t really complain, can I?” Keith chuckled as he walked off. “But what about the others, what if they saw? Aren’t you worried about what they’ll think of it?” Lance was anxious, Keith paused. “If you don’t want me to mention it, I won’t. Your choice.” Keith was gentle, “I- i’d prefer if we didn’t mention it.” Lance stuttered anxiously, Keith nodded and urged Lance to continue walking to the bridge. “Wonderful! Everyone is here!” Coran called out happily. “We’ve just had contact with earth.” Shiro was smiling brightly, “They are preparing for our arrival, everyone's families are being informed and brought to the Garrion.” Shiro continued to smile. “You're awfully happy.” Keith commented with a cocky smile, “Your boyfriend answer the call?” Keith teased with a raised eyebrow, Shiro went pink. “Commander Adam, answered the transmission. Nothing more, nothing less.” Shiro turned away from Keith and his teasing, “Home? We’re going home. I can see my family, I can see my sister…” Lance spoke solemnly.
Tears started to form in Lance’s eyes. He missed his family dearly, he wanted to see his sister. He had to see his sister, she was the only one from his family that he saw when he entered the white abyss. Lance had to meet who he was supposed to protect. “Does this mean the war is over?” Hunk asked with a hopeful smile, “I don’t know, but we’ll have back up now.” Shiro smiled. “We’ll finally be with mum again.” Matt smiled with tears falling down his cheeks, “Oh no… I’m going to be grounded for years!” Pidge whined playfully, they were truly scared of getting grounded though. Matt and Sam laughed, “Well, to be fair you did just leave. At least we were supposed to go to space.” Sam commented, Pidge’s jaw dropped. “It’s not my fault! Lance was the one who snuck out!” Pidge tried to shift the blame elsewhere, “Hey! Don’t blame me! Sure, I'm the reason Hunk is here but you had already snuck out and you found out about Voltron before we even left earth.” Lance accused, Matt laughed. “Well, technically speaking all of you are at fault. You were the ones who followed me into that ship.” Keith pointed out, Shiro wasn’t a hundred percent with the conversation. After all he was knocked out at the time, “Well… you snuck out of the garrison too. So, meh.” Lance stuck his tongue out at Keith. “I wasn’t a student, I got kicked out. Remember. Which you should because that’s what got you into the fighter pilot course.” Keith teased. Lance faked being offended. The friendly banter between everyone continued for a while even during the wormhole trip.
—
“Commander Adam, this is pilot Takashi Shirogane from the Castle of Lions requesting permission to land.” Shiro spoke kindly while the castle floated just outside Earth's atmosphere. “Commander Adam speaking. Yes, permission to land, granted. Transportation vehicles will meet you when you land.” Adam spoke professionally. “Ok, Allura. You're all good to enter the atmosphere and land.” Shiro looked at Allura then the rest of the team who sat in their respective chairs. They were finally home. Maybe not free from war, but they were home. Everyone walked out of the castle to meet the drivers of the cars taking them back to the Garrison. “Who are you? We were told we’re meeting Shiro, Matt, Samuel, Hunk, Pidge, Keith and Lance.” One of the drivers said in a sour tone. “Hey, James.” Lance rolled his eyes. James had never taken a liking to Lance, “You? You’re Lance?” James questioned. “Yes, now can we please go. I want to see my family.” Lance groaned, “You look… different.” James commented as he walked back to the vehicles. “Yeah, well fighting a war does that to people.” Lance said backhandedly. “Can we just go?’ Lance spat angrily. The drive back to the garrison was quiet and full of anxiety. “Are you guys ready to see your families again?” Shiro asked happily, everyone nodded and Shiro opened the door. “Hunk! Over here!” Hunk stepped out of the car and turned to see his younger brother, Hunk ran over and embraced his brother tightly. “Where’s mum and dad? Are they ok?” Hunk asked full of anxiety, “Yeah, they should be here soon.” Hunk’s brother called out happily. “We’re here! We’re here!” Hunk’s dad called out as he walked up to his son. “We had to make our baby boy some fresh banana bread!” Hunk’s mum fussed, Hunk let out his tears. “Awe guys you didn’t have to.” Hunk cried into his family's arms.
“Mum!” Pidge practically threw themselves out of the car and into their mother’s arms, Matt and Sam joined the hug embracing each other tightly. “Finally we’re a family again.” Pidge’s mum cried, “You’ve all grown up so much since I last saw you.” PIdge’s mum smiled, “Coleen…” Sam whispered. “Samual.” Coleen hugged her husband tightly. “You're proud of them aren’t you.” a deep voice spoke after a loud sipping noise, Shiro turned to the voice. Shiro froze, he watched the man that spoke put his coffee down and walk closer. “I’ve missed you.” the man said before putting a gentle kiss on Shiro’s cheek. “Adam!” Shiro cried as he hugged Adam tightly, Adam returned the hug. “I am so sorry for leaving.” Shiro was firm but gentle at the same time, Adam smiled. Adam pulled out of the hug and ran a hand down Shiro’s prosthetic, “I forgive you, it seems karma got to you before I could.” Adam chuckled, Shiro smiled and kissed Adam. “Not a family person huh?” James asked Keith, “More like, I don’t have a family.” Keith said absentmindedly, “Oh- I uh, I didn’t mean to uhh.” James panicked. “Don’t worry, I'm used to it. I’ve got my wolf.” Keith hadn’t realised his wolf wasn’t with him until it had teleported in front of him and James. Safe to say James was shocked.
“Lance! Over here!” a young girl called out, “Uncle Lance!” a young boy called out. Lance turned his head to see a small crowd calling out his name, Lance ran as quickly as his legs would let him. He almost tripped but he didn’t, he was however tackled by his family. Sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews hugged him tightly and cried openly. “¡Oh mi! ¡Os he echado mucho de menos a todos! Lo digo en serio, ha sido un infierno sin todos ustedes. (Oh my! I have missed you all so much! I'm serious, it's been hell without all of you)” Lance cried loudly, his tears staining his face. His family hugged for a few more minutes before anyone even considered moving and when they did that’s when he noticed. “Where is Veronica?” Lance looked around to see if he had missed her, he hadn’t. “Where is she!” Lance cried, he needed to see his sister. She was the person he was closest to out of everyone in his entire life, including Hunk. “Lance, we have some news…” Commander Iverson spoke plainly, “I suggest you sit down-” Commander Iverson was interrupted. “Where is she! I want to see my sister!” Lance yelled. “Veronica… She was a noble and loyal pilot. Unfortunately she didn’t win her fight.” Commander Iverson was being frustratingly vague. “What. Happened. To. My. Sister.” Lance asked slowly but commandingly. “Veronica, passed away. 4 months ago, she developed lung cancer. Her treatment was unsuccessful.” Commander Iverson spoke quietly as if it was going to soften the news. Lance faltered, he took sudden steps back. The person he missed and loved the most. Dead. Is that why Lance saw her when he was dead for a few minutes. “No.” Lance whispered as he took a step back, his legs gave out and he fell to the ground.
Keith saw Lance fall, he thought nothing of it until he heard sobs. Loud, unnerving sobs of someone who had just lost a loved one. Keith knew those tears all too well and so he rushed over and knelt beside Lance. Keith rubbed Lance's upper arm but was shoved away. This had to be a cruel joke, his sister couldn't be gone. Lance wept loudly, not caring if anyone heard or saw him. He was mourning, he was allowed to cry. "Lance…" Keith was gentle, he didn't want to hurt Lance. "No!" Lance yelled in response, he wiped his tears from his face but it was pointless. They just kept flowing, "Lance, please how can I help?" Keith hadn't moved any closer. From his own experiences he knew that Lance needed space. "Leave! Leave me alone!" Lance flung his arms out trying to push Keith away and when he couldn’t feel Keith within arms reach he stood and ran. He ran quickly and far, he needed to escape. He needed to be free, he needed to be with his sister. There was only one way that was going to happen. "Take me to him." Keith said sternly to his wolf as he placed a hand on his wolf's fur. Keith ran. He ran hard, and fell even harder. "Keith what are you doing!" Lance yelled, "Saving your dumbass, like you've done for me so many times before." Keith was forcibly holding Lance to the ground, for someone with such a slim figure Lance held a lot of hidden strength. "She's gone Keith! You don't understand how I feel!" Lance cried as he tried to escape Keith's tightening grip. "I know exactly how you feel! I lost my dad, my mum. The only people who truly understood me! There gone, there was nothing I could do." Keith felt a sting in his chest, he hated reliving the emotions he felt when his father died. Lance just cried louder, "I grieved my family just as much as you're grieving your sister, but killing yourself isn't going to change that!" Keith yelled, he wouldn't lie. He was pissed that Lance's first thought was to kill himself. Keith released his grip slowly and helped Lance to stand. "I- i- I don't know what to do. I'm-" Lance sputtered through his heavy tears, Keith pulled Lance close and gave him the hug he needed when his father died. "I'm scared Keith." Lance whispered, his tears starting to slow. "I know. And that's ok." Keith whispered reassuringly as he pulled Lance closer.