Keith understands spanish to a certain extent, but not when Lance talks too fast (like me, a fellow Texan born and raised)
Lance, panicked, just got blown up, asking for his family in a rush? Nope
Lance, quietly calling Keith pretty when he thinks the other boy is sleeping? Yep
Lance getting excited when he meets Adam, and he just rambles for hours about how crazy it is that his childhood hero is gay? Nope
Lance refusing to tell the team he loves them in English unless it's a casual thing, if he's being serious it has to be spanish cause it feels more real that way? Yep
Lance getting pissed off at his niece and nephew for misbehaving, and scolds them rapidly in spanish? Nope
Lance being scared when Keith gets hurt, telling him in spanish "te necesito" (spelling is hard)? Yeah. Keith knows.
Anyways Keith knows but doesn't wanna tell him because then he might stop, and Keith refuses to take away Lance's language or his privacy (but if he thinks "te necesito" right back its okay)
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences (For slight makeout)
One-Shot
Word Count: 3192
Summary: A few months have passed since Team Voltron has had to destroy the Castle of Lions and now, they have to make a pit stop on planet Grijalva to stock up on supplies. Planet Grijalva has a population of aliens who can read the emotions of any living being and, unfortunately, Lance has had some powerful feelings after Keith revealed something Lance didn’t even know he had. This proves to be a little...problematic.
Lance sat in Red, running his hand through Kaltenecker's hair floof at the top of his head, "I don't think it's gonna happen, buddy."
Kaltenecker's just chewed on Lance-had-no-idea-what-because-there-isn't-any-food-on-his-lion. Lance continued though, "I mean, I've been there for her the whole time, yet she still chose Lotor."
Lance groaned and hit his head against the back of his chair, "Feelings are so complicated. This is so stupid. Why am I moping over some girl?"
"I don't know, you tell me."
Lance jumped in his seat and looked wide-eyed at an amused Keith watching him from the screen.
Lance stammered before composing himself and asked/yelled, "How much of that did you hear?!"
"Just the last sentence," Keith assured, "We need to make a pit stop to stock up on food and supplies and Coran found a friendly planet just a lightyear away. Pidge already sent out the coordinates and the Lions are flying there right now. Just wanted to tell you."
Lance nodded.
Before Keith left, though, he asked, "What's this about moping about a girl?"
Lance shook his head, "It's nothing."
"It didn't seem like "nothing". You seemed pretty beat up about it," Keith said.
Lance just pouted.
"Is this about Allura?"
"What?!" Lance exclaimed, "Why would it be Allura?"
"You're right. Why would it be about Allura? It's not like you've been throwing yourself at her since we first arrived," Keith rolled his eyes.
Lance crossed his arms, "Forget it, Keith, you wouldn't understand."
"I would actually."
"I don't see how."
"I went through the same thing. Only, instead of rejecting me, she hated my guts for a few hours."
Lance froze and processed Keith's words and he asked hesitantly, "Hold on, you liked Allura?"
Keith shrugged and avoided his eyes, "Briefly. So did Shiro."
Lance nodded in understanding and let Keith continue, "We've all been through that Lance. Just talk to us if you need something. Even if it is weird."
"Definitely," Lance agreed.
"And," Keith added, "If you ever need to talk about Pidge, it's alright too."
"What about Pidge?"
"You know," Keith paused, "about your crush on her?"
Lance rose an eyebrow, "I don't have a crush on Pidge?"
"Really?" Keith asked.
Lance shook his head.
"Oh," Keith said, "I guess I read the signs wrong."
Lance rose an inquisitive brow, "What signs?"
Keith shrugged, "You know, the stolen gazes, the hovering, the invasion of personal space, your habit of borrowing her stuff, the teasing, the fond looks, and constantly talking about girls with her to get her jealous and then watching her reaction."
Lance gazed at him and Keith asked, "You don't see it?"
"The thing is," Lance drawled, "I see it now."
Keith sat in awkward silence as Lance personified the mesh of confusion and realization rolled up together, "Well, I'm just gonna go..."
Lance just sat in a daze. He never really thought about it that way. But now, it's so obvious.
He has been crushing on Pidge the whole time.
Lance whined and threw himself on Kaltenecker, "Now I really have it bad, girl. I like two girls way out of my league."
Kaltenecker moo-ed.
"I mean, Pidge is so smart. She never lets anyone doubt her and she is so strong and determined. She's pretty, too. And Allura is a princess, for crying out loud."
Kaltenecker nudged her head on to Lance's neck and Lance patted her head again.
"At least you're here. You're probably the only girl I love who actually notices me."
Kaltenecker moo-ed.
"Approaching planet Grijalva," Keith announced in the comms, "Remember, Coran said that they are a planet full of aliens who can read emotions. Keep your emotions in check and we'll be fine."
The Lions landed in a distant field and the paladins went out to town to meet with their leader.
Keith was leading the four, using the coordinates Pidge gave him. They were following a faint path that was completely covered by trees.
In the back, Hunk began rambling, "Hey, Keith, do you think they have chocolate? Their planet is pretty similar to Earth."
Keith shrugged, "I wouldn't know, Hunk, I've never been here before."
Hunk continued on, "Because that would be amazing. We will finally be able to make chocolate milkshakes, hot chocolate, chocolate fondue- oh, God, what if they have flour. I can finally make pancakes!"
"Hunk, budddy, pal, as much as I love your food rambles," Lance pointed to a frustrated Keith, "You're pissing Keith off."
Allura just rose an inquisitive brow, "What's a pancake?"
"Pidge are you sure these coordinates are correct?" Keith showed Pidge his map and she leaned over Lance to look at it.
She adjusted her glasses and narrowed her eyes, "Yeah, we're supposed to be in town-"
Suddenly, behind them, a giant creature took Lance's collar in its beak. The paladins screamed in surprise and took in the majestic creature.
It looked like a Griffin, half-lion and half-eagle, in neon colors.
Keith took out his blade and the rest of the team took out their Bayards. They charged, but by then the Griffin already flew away.
"No!" Pidge yelled and aimed her grappling hook. She fired.
The green grappling hook wound itself around the Griffin's tail and Pidge went flying with the Griffin.
Hunk grabbed on to the petite girl first and held down the Griffin for a second, long enough for Keith and Allura to climb up on the rope, before flying off too.
Keith and Allura made it to the back of the Griffin and pulled Hunk and Pidge in. The four caught their breath and they ran to the Griffin's shoulders and called out, "Lance! Are you alright?!"
"I'm fine, but look! I know why we didn't find the town!"
The team turned to where Lance easy pointing and they gasped when they saw a huge town on the canopy. Each house was carved into the thick blue trunks of the trees. Yellow lights emanated from inside and the pink leaves added a wonderful, warm tone to the town.
They would have enjoyed the view better if they weren't hanging on for their lives atop of a Griffin.
The Griffin circled the town before finding it's landing space. The Griffin landed on a platform and shook itself. It eventually shook out all the Paladins and they landed in a heap on the floor.
The Griffin peered down at them, Lance still hanging from its beak, and made its way to a big building in front of them. It placed Lance on the roof of said building and it squawked loudly.
The Paladins moved toward the building, but the Griffin looked down at them and squawked menacingly and they backed off.
"Lance!" Pidge yelled.
"I'm fine. Just...admiring the view as a Griffin takes me hostage."
Suddenly, the building's door opens and out came a humanoid-looking alien. It seemed to be female and had big, round eyes like an owl. She had webbed hands and her arms almost reached the ground.
She ran to the Griffin and cooed, "Hey, Brokaw. What you doing here?"
The Griffin cooed too and squawked and pointed its head to the Paladins. The alien stared wide-eyed at the Paladins and she approached them, "Oh, Paladins, you're here! Nice to finally meet you! My name's Crohji, Grijalva's Queen."
Keith extended his hand and gave a tight-lipped smile, "I'm Keith. It's an honor to be here, Crohji, but we do have a slight situation."
Crohji frowned and asked, "I sense frustration, is everything alright?"
"Well, your pet has taken one of our Paladins hostage," Allura explained with amusement in her voice.
Crohji turned around and gasped when she saw Lance on the roof. Lance let out a sheepish smile and waved, "Hi!"
Crohji sighed, "Brokaw, would you please explain yourself?"
The Griffin stood protectively in front of Lance and cawed multiple times as if it was actually speaking. Apparently, Crohji understood everything because she came back with a translation.
"Well, Paladins, as you may know, planet Grijalva and it's inhabitants have deep connections with emotion. Our guardian, Brokaw, is the first emotion reader. Her powers are strong and powerful. She felt the Red paladin is in great emotional distress-"
"WHAT? No I'm not!" Lance huffed, crossing his hand and his cheeks blushing in embarrassment.
Crohji ignored him, "and, as our guardian, it is her job to make him feel better. That is why everyone on planet Grijalva is so happy."
Allura stepped up, "Well, how can we help?"
"We will fix it in the traditional Grijalvian way. His friends and family will shower him with honest compliments, and we will know if they're honest, and then we will have a feast in his honor," Crohji clapped in excitement.
"You," she pointed to Keith, "you will go first. I sense a strong bond between you two. Tell him how you feel about your relationship."
"Well," Keith coughed into his hand, "this is getting awkward."
Lance nodded and blushed in embarassment, "Tell me about it."
"Uh," Keith scratched his neck and stepped up, "Well, you are an awesome pilot. The first time we met, you were absolutley horrible, but now, you've really gotten better. We all see it. Um, you're a great right-hand man too. You offer good strategies and you help me out in tough situations. You take leadership responsibly and you really are Paladin material. We need you, man."
Lance smiled ,"Thanks, Keith, that means a lot."
Crohji smiled and pointed to Hunk, "You. You also seem to be close with the red Paladin. Express yourself."
"Man, where to begin," Hunk pondered and stepped up, "You're the absolute, bestest friend a guy can ask for. You always try to break me out of my nervous shell and you know how to have fun. You're my best friend. Love you, bro."
Lance beamed a toothy smile, "Love you too, bro."
Crohji clapped, "Perfect! Now you!" She pointed to Allura, "he has strong feelings for you, Your Highness," Lance turned bet-red and Pidge pouted (though no one saw that), "Express yourself."
Allura fiddled with her hands and stepped up, "Um, I know how you feel about me, Lance, and I regret to say that I don't feel the same," Lance nodded solemnly and avoided eye contact, "You truly are an amazing guy. You are destined for great things. You have brought me up in my darkest moments. I owe you so much and you mean to me more than you realize."
Allura smiled and Lance smiled back, "Thank you, Princess."
Crohji squealed, "Wonderful! Now all we have left is you, young lady," she pointed at Pidge, "his feelings for you are stronger than for any other. It'll be your statement that will make a difference."
Lance smacked his head against the wooden roof.
Pidge was also blushing hard. She cleared her throat and stepped up to begin, "Well, Lance is probably the closest friends I have next to Hunk. He's always trying to help me break out of the shell I build against round me constantly. He proved all my bullies wrong. His hearty compliments and his jokes are what I look forward to. He's my best friend."
Pidge smiled up at Lance and he returned it. Thinking, it was done, Pidge was about to join the rest of the group before Crohji stopped her, "You are hiding something, Green Paladin."
Pidge stopped and turned around, her voice frustrated, "No I'm not!"
Crohji narrowed her eyes, "You're hiding how you truly feel out of fear."
Pidge glared and yelled, "No, I'm not!"
"If she doesn't want to say it, it's fine, Crohji!" Lance screamed from the top of the building.
The Griffin then squawked and took Lance in her beak again.
"What is she doing?" Keith yelled.
Crohji looked down at Pidge, "If you do not reveal how you feel, Brokaw will let your "best friend" fall from that branch."
The team looked up in horror to see the Griffin leave Lance at a branch, him grabbing onto the branch tightly with both hands.
"Are you insane?" Allura yelled.
Keith formed his Bayard's sword and placed it under Crohji's head, "Bring him down, right now!"
Crohji, calm as ever, warned, "If you hurt me, Brokaw will release your friend's grip and he will fall to his death."
Hunk looked up concerned at his struggling best friend, "Hold on, buddy, I'm coming!"
Hunk turned on his jet pack and he leaped up branch to branch, desperately trying you get to Lance before it's too late. Keith and Allura followed closely.
When Pidge tried to follow them, Crohji held her back with the help of two other Grijalvians.
Pidge struggled, "Let me go! I need to help!"
"You can," Crohji soothed, "You just need to reveal your true feelings."
Pidge roared, "Why are you doing this?!"
Crohji lamented, "I lost a loved one because I wouldn't reveal my true feelings. No one should go through that."
Pidge groaned, "This isn't the right way to do that!"
Crohji sighed, "Your friend is slipping he'll fall in five..."
Hunk is only about three branches away.
"...four..."
Lance is hanging on by one hand.
"...three..."
Keith and Allura are yelling at Pidge.
"...two..."
Lance tries to grab on with his other hand but he almost slipped. A tear falls down Pidge's cheek.
"...o-"
"I LOVE LANCE!"
Silence.
The Griffin appeared under Lance and he fell onto its back. His face in awe as he listened to Pidge.
"There..." she whispered defeatedly, "I said it. I am in love with Lance McClain."
Crohji smiled and was about to put a hand on Pidge's shoulder before Pidge shoved her hand away and spat, "I'm leaving."
The teen twirled in her heels and headed for the woods.
"Wait! We still have the feast!" Crohji called.
"I don't care!" Pidge yelled back.
Once the Griffin landed, Lance jumped off and ran after Pidge, "Pidge! Wait up!"
The paladins were going to follow, but then the Griffin held up a wing to stop them and she cawed.
"What did she say?" Allura asked.
"She said," Crohji gazed in the direction the two ran off to, "To give them privacy."
°•○●○•°
"Pidge! Piiidge! Pidgey? Pigeon! Where are you?" Lance called.
"Nowhere." Pidge deadpanned.
Lance followed the voice and found Pidge kicking the roots of a tree in anger.
"Hey, what did the tree ever do to you?"
"Lance, I don't want your pity. You didn't have to come after me." Pidge pouted and crossed her arms.
"You're right," Lance approached her, "I didn't have to... I needed to."
Pidge huffed and turned away, "Why are your showing me affection now."
"Well," Lance began, "After-"
"I won't be your rebound, Lance. I'm not any body's second choice," Pidge spat solemnly.
"Good thing you aren't mine, then." Lance got closer and Pidge backed up against a tree.
"What are you doing?" Pidge stammered, a blush coming up from Lance's intense gaze.
Lance placed his left forearm beside Pidge's head and his right hand cupped Pidge's jaw, "Something I should have done a long time ago."
Pidge bit her lip.
"Pidge, I never realized my feelings for you until Keith shoved them down my throat a few vargas ago. Our relationship was so fluid and easy, I never realized when our teasing became stronger. I never realized how much I treasured you. When you left to go find your brother, I thought the hole in me was me missing my best friend. I now realize that what we have is so much stronger. Keith opening my eyes to my crush on you was almost like Romeo. He was in love and heartbroken with Rosaline, but once he saw Juliet, everything faded away."
Lance smiled down at Pidge, "You're my Juliet, Pidge, just a smarter, badass version of her."
"Don't forget cooler." Pidge teased, her hands wrapping around Lance's neck.
Lance chuckled, "Definitely cooler."
Lance leaned in and asked, "Can I kiss you?"
Pidge nodded, "Yes."
Their kiss was like Hazel Grace falling asleep and falling in love: it was slow, then all at once.
The two were fairly inexperienced. The only kiss Lance had was with Jenny Shaybon and that was just a peck when he as fifteen. Pidge hasn't had a first kiss.
This was different. It was Pidge. It was so much better.
She pulled at his hair and he pulled her neck in closer so he can have a better grip and position. Their lips were clumsy as they moved against each other.
They were short, fluid kisses that would last a second before they would separate and come back together like magnets.
Lance relaxed his hand and let himself smush Pidge, causing her to giggle as he did so. Her hands cupped his cheeks as he planted more short and frantic kisses, each sucking a bit on her lips.
Lance then shifted his head and started to kiss her jaw, but Pidge stopped him and placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away slightly.
Lance got the memo and immediately stopped, instead planting a kiss on Pidge's forehead and resting his forehead on hers, "Too much?"
Pidge nodded.
"No problem, Pigeon. We'll go at your pace."
Pidge smiled and placed another kiss on his lips, this one long and soft.
Their lips popped as they disconnected and the two let out a sigh. Pidge laid her head on his shoulder an Lance hugged her and breathed in her scent. Peanut butter.
"I can't believe it."
Lance smiled, "Can't believe what?"
Pidge moved away and smirked, "That you finally opened your eyes."
Lance laughed, "That I did," Pidge squeaked as Lance wrapped her in his arms and started kissing her cheeks, "But you're going to have to get used to it 'cause I'm never letting you go now."
When the two returned, their friends were waiting for them. Shiro, Romelle, Krolia, and Coran also came in to join in the feast.
Lance and Pidge materialised from the forest with joint hands and he lifted them up, announcing loudly, "I have found the love of my life!"
The Grijalvians cheered loudly, happy to help two people fix their emotional distress, and team Voltron clapped and smiled for their friends. Coran, Hunk, and Romelle teared up (well, Hunk and Coran actually cried).
Pidge was laughing and Lance took that as a cue to pick her up and twirl her in the air and then bring her down to kiss her soundly. Pidge's hands cupped his cheeks and she smiled in to the kiss.
Lance pulled away and carried her with one hand and faced the crowd and pumped a fist in the air, "Now let's eat some food!"
Pidge smiled and shook her head in amusement, "This is exactly how I imagined our getting together to be like."
Lance laughed and joined their foreheads. He then separated and ran to the table, Pidge bumping up and down in his arm, "Lance put me down!"
Summary: It's Lance's birthday and no one seems to remember that little fact. What is shaping up to be his worst day every gets an unexpected twist when a message is left for him by the Blade of Marmora that only he is allowed to see.
Rating: K+
Pairings: Background Klance
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1,344
A/N: I know this is a little late, but better late than never right? I hope you appreciate this short little thing I wrote for Lance's birthday. This was just a little idea I had while working on my next chapter for my Youtube AU. Hopefully my next chapter for that will be out by the end of the month.
Tag List: @annikathesith
Lance groaned as he hit the floor for the fifth time during his training session. As the training sequence ended, he gace a sigh as he stood up. Today had just not been Lance’s day. He knew that time moved a little differently where they were than on Earth - he had gotten Pidge to explain it to him - and if her math was correct then this was shaping up to be his worst birthday to date.
He understood that there was a lot going on and they were all trying to save the universe and make the coalition bigger, but it would be nice if at least one person would remember it was his birthday. Hunk hadn’t even come and given him a crushing bear hug like he always did. At least when he was around Lance that is.
Lance shook his head as he tried to knock his thoughts loose. This was just him overthinking things again.
He had almost made it to the showers when he ran into Pidge in the corridor.
“Lance! Glad I found you. A comm came in a few minutes ago,” she said.
“Was it anything important? I was in the training room so I didn’t hear it.”
“I have no idea. Allura said it was held on a portable recording device that some of The Blades dropped off earlier today. Apparently they very explicitly said that the only one that was allowed to view it was you, Lance.”
“The Marmorites were here? Was Kei - wait. They said only I could look at it?” Lance’s head was reeling. What could the Marmorites possibley have to say to just him? He tried not to get his hopes up too much that a certain someone with the Blades had come to help deliver it.
“Yeah, I just put it in your room while I was trying to find you. I mean I could go and listen to it for myself. Or just make sure I’m there to overhear it.” Pidge gave Lance her mischievous grin. Lance knew her well enough now to be able to tell that she was only (mostly) joking.
“Well I suppose I better go check this out. Though I have no idea whhy they would send a message for only me.”
Pidge smirked, “Maybe it’s a reprimand for the last mission we had with them?”
“Why would they do that?! They haven’t had problems with it in the past!”
Pidge simply shrugged, a smirk firmly plastered on her face, as she started heading back towards the hangar with the lions. Lance waited until Pidge had rounded the corner before rushing the opposite way down the hall toward his room. The shower would have to wait.
As soon as Lance had gotten into his room, he locked the door behind him before searching the room for the comm device. Lance double-checke dthat the door was locked before settling down onto his bed. His heart hammered. It was so loud he was afraid the others would be able to hear it in the hall. Lance’s fingers shook as they hovered over the play button. He wasn’t sure why he hesitated, but he did. Lance stayed that way for several minutes before he finally got the nerve to start it.
A holographic screen popped up and Lance almost threw the device across the room. He thought it was just going to be audio. Not some kind of video. Lance stared intently at the projection trying to see if he had pressed the right button. There was some muttering in the background of the feed for several minutes. In the background he could make out some of the details of one of the Marmorites’ ships. At least those were signs that the video was playing.
His thoughts had just begun to drift when they were interrupted by the sound of a ship door closing and footsteps shuffling back toward the camera. Lance could feel the blood rush to his face as he saw who it was.
It was Keith.
He was wearing the same suit that the rest of the Blades wore, but how did he look so much better than all the rest of them? The suit hugged his body in all the right places. And the hood he was wearing made him look so adorable that it should have been illegal. The only thing that Lance didn’t about it was that he wasn’t able to see Keith’s mullet very well. Okay, so yes he liked Keith’s mullet. Though that thought was never going to come out of his mouth. Especially to Keith. Lance tried to hide his blush behind his own hood even though he knew Keith couldn’t see him. Keith shuffled awkwardly in front of the camera before clearing his throat and finally starting.
“Um, hi Lance. I’m sorry about all that. Kolivan wasn’t sure about letting me do this but I managed to talk him around with some stipulations. But, um, you don’t need to worry about all that.” Keith was refusing to look at the camera. Which was a shame since Lance loved looking into his purple-grey eyes. He had never seen any other eyes quite like Keith’s.
“Anyways,” Keith continued. His eyes shifted to look at the other side of the camera, he still refused to look at where Lance was. “Um Pidge and Hunk told me before I actually left to come join the Blades that your birthday was coming up. If this calendar thing that Pidge made is correct and I timed this right, then that should be today.”
Keith paused for another minute looking down toward the ground. He seemed to be steeling his nerves for something. Lance felt his face continue to heat up. At this point Lance was sure he was as red as the red lion. Keith knew it was his birthday. Not only that, but he had done his best to make sure Lance got this on his actual birthday. That was more than enough of a birthday present for Lance.
“Anyway, I can’t believe I’m actually going to say this, but I wish I could be there to celebrate with you.” Keith finally looked straight at the camera. Lance gasped . Keith’s eyes were so vibrant and he had a beautiful half smirk. But what really made this the most beautiful look Lance had seen on Keith, was the light blush dotting his cheeks. It took Lance’s breath away. So much so that he almost missed what Keith said next.
“Happy birthday Lance. I hope you have a great day even if I can’t be there. I lo-” Keith’s face went bright red and he cut himself off. Lance couldn’t stop grinning and couldn’t help but hope about what Keith had been about to say.
The video ended shortly after that and Lance just leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. He didn’t want anything to ruin this moment.
“Lance open up! You need to come with me!”
Lance sighed. The moment was gone.
He pushed himself off his bed and opened the door. “What do you want Pidge?”
“I need you to come with me.”
“Why would I do that? I have this top secret video that you told me I need to watch.”
“Oh that birthday message for you from Keith?” Pidge smirked. “You’ve finished that by now judging by that look on your face. Now you need to come with me to the party we planned for you.”
“You guys planned a party for me?!?”
Pidge groaned. “Yes. We did. It was supposed to be a surprise party. So when we get in there you need to act surprised or Hunk will never let me live it down.”
Lance grinned down at Pidge. Ever since her gender reveal, they had decided to not keep secrets unless absolutely necessary. There were more than a few slipped secrets bewtween the two of them.
“I think I can manage that Pidge,” Lance said as the two of them made their way toward the lounge room.
Lance sees dead people, Shiro, Hunk, Keith and Pidge are his ghostly friends. They like hanging around Lance because he is the only living who can see them.
They meet because Lance accidentally made eye-contact with one of them. The accident was a blessing in disguise.
They like to help Lance. Pidge and Hunk give him answers at school (which is usually unwanted because Lance feels that it's cheating). Shiro acts like a space dad or something and makes sure Lance doesn't so stupid things. Keith glares at other ghosts and keeps them away from Lance.
The ghosts can possess Lance with Lance's permission. When a ghost possesses Lance, Lance becomes a temporary ghost, he can force a ghost out of his body and regain control anytime, since he is the rightful owner of the body.
People don't believe in ghosts so they just think Lance has MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder). Lance notices that people are always asking to talk to his other "personalities" but never him, so he starts getting self-esteem issues. The ghosts help reassure him that people want to talk to him too.
Pidge and Hunk, being the geniuses that they are, take turns possessing Lance and creates a computer that can react to temperatures and since ghosts are cold it of course means that ghosts can use the computer.
Next Chap: https://sailormew4.tumblr.com/post/166050863886/mind-trap-chapter-3-triste-hehe-hi-ready-for
Chapter Summary: Paladins first moments in the mind are surprising to say the least.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Paladins quickly rush to the hammock as Keith takes a closer look at Lance and he's right... he's different. Not a bad different. He seems content like all burdens are gone.
"Lance?" greets Hunk cautiously, so he sees the difference.
Lance opens his eyes as Keith practically could see them bouncing in energy as he swings his legs off the hammock as he greets happily, "Hey, guys and gals. Whatcha doin' in here?"
"Well we were actually looking for you so - wait you know where we are?" asks Pidge confused as to how.
"Of course Silly Pigeon, we're in my Happy Place. No way would Varadero Beach be this empty. Better question is what are my best friends in the universe doing here?" asks Lance as he swings on the hammock like a child on a swing.
Keith then answers, "We're trying to save you. Don't you remember?"
Lance snorts and laughs as he answers, "Of course I remember I took the hit for you Samurai. And I would do it again."
"Lance, we should go now that we've found you," comments Allura with a serious tone.
The smile doesn't leave his face as he giggles and says, "But Space Mom, you guys aren't looking for me. Your looking for the bad thing. That's not here... it's a bit deeper my mind."
"Wait what?! You know what's going on and that it's killing you and didn't say anything! Why aren't you stopping it!" yells Keith angry at him, angry at the situation, angry at this supposed bad thing, and angry at himself for letting Lance get hurt in the first place!
"Sorry," apologizes Lance with apologetic smile.
That single word throws the entire team off as Pidge asks, "That's it? You're not going to argue with him?"
Lance shakes his head as he asks jokingly, "Would it make Keith happy if I did? Call him Mullet for laughs?"
Keith is officially sure that they died. They died with Lance. No way would Lance McClain not take the chance to argue with him even for laughs. Shiro clears his throat as he asks, "So uh Lance can you lead us to where the "bad thing" is?"
"Sure Space Dad, but I can't take you all the way... I got things to do. Hope you don't mind," agrees Lance as he looks at a cave in the distance.
Keith is about to argue before Shiro cuts him off, "As far as you can. That would perfect."
"Alrighty. Vamonos, everybody," cheers Lance as he jumps off the hammock as he hums happily across the beach leading them to who knows where.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After what seems to be an endless walk Keith observes Lance as some things were definitely different. He is making more jokes. Through this walk though he's been acting a bit odd to the other Paladins. He tried to converse with Keith and Shiro which he hardly does, he keeps making Hunk and Pidge laugh about stories about Garrison, and he's been fairly appropriate with Allura hasn't flirted once however.
Though that's not just it. There's small differences like anytime someone made a bad joke he would still laugh, his smile is bit more brighter - not that he looks at his smile constantly -, and he seems completely at ease with himself. He's just happy.
Shiro nudges Keith as he asks, "You seem on edge. What's wrong?"
Keith was about to just he's fine but instead he answers, "I don't know, doesn't Lance seem different?"
Shiro answers, "I don't think so. He seems normal."
"Hey Space Dad! Come over here Pidgey just told me this great joke!" yells Lance as Shiro shrugs and goes over.
Keith still can't shake the feeling till he feels a hand on his shoulder to see it's Hunk as he says, "I heard what you said to Shiro. You're getting that feeling too?"
"You see too?" says Keith. It wasn't a question.
"Yeah, I knew Lance for a long time. I've never seen him this carefree before... and that says something," agrees Hunk as he knows like the back of his hand.
Keith hums in agreement though he then asks, "Is Varadero Beach really his happy place?"
Hunk nods as he adds, "It was his favorite spot back home. Always kept him calm under pressure, he really misses it, even back at the Garrison. One time he found this cave and there was a swimming hole. He made it his personal spot. Only took the people he's closest with."
Hunk smiles at the memories which makes Keith kinda envious Hunk knew this much. His negative thoughts were interrupted when Hunk comments, "Maybe when we go back to Earth he'll take the rest of there.
"Alrighty Team into the cave!" cheers Lance as he points to a cave.
"You mean that cave?" asks Keith as Hunk nods dumbly shocked.
"Now when we enter I say 'Vol' you say 'Tron'! Vol!" cheers Lance happily.
"Voltron! We're done lets go!" yells Keith frustrated.
Though soon Lance wraps his arms around his shoulder as he says, "Thanks for trying. I know I come off as loud, but it means a lot to me."
Keith looks at his hand as he smiles and says, "Anything to get out of your mind."
Keith hopes for a retort but Lance chuckles as he compliments, "Good one Samurai."
He has mixed feelings about the response. He's upset that they aren't arguing, but he's happy to see him so well happy.
As Lance leads them through the cave. Keith takes notice of the water. They have memories. Happy ones like ones with family and them. He recognises some as he hears some of the others laughing.
He sees Hunk smiling at a memory of Lance dancing in front a Garrison scoreboard.
Pidge is snorting as she watches a memory of them running from a fountain with loose change in their pockets with a look of achievement.
Allura giggles at the memory of Lance giving his Bayard.
Shiro smiles proudly at the memory of when they were making bad sound effects.
Keith then sees a memory float to him of the "bonding moment" as he smiles and chuckles as the memory of Lance says, "We did it... we are good team."
Though that's not the only memory he sees. He sees when they tease and argue with each other. The moments alone with their own form of getting along. They are so distracted they don't notice they reached the end of the cave.
When they walk through it a bright light blinds them to see there in what seems to be a dorm, a Garrison dorm to be precise. However as Keith looks around he comments, "Where's Lance?"
Some alien gives pinning keith a love potion to give to lance. Keith then (while thinking about giving it to lance) accidentally spills it on lance making him fall in love with keith. Keith loves it but at the same time hates it cause he knows it's not true love.
Ahhhhhh poor baby
—
“What is this?” Keith rubbed his thumb across the label, the dust falling to the floor. He was in a slightly cramped room, bookshelves creating narrow pathways as the light attempted to filter into the dusty room.
A pair of eyes dug into Keith, their green eyes clashing with their bright orange skin. The stood about four feet tall and had beaks for mouths, topped off with antennas. Their voices sounded slightly robotic and usually ended on a high note. “Oh! That is called grimsbane, it’s a potion that makes feelings more intense.” They wiggled their eyes slightly at the Red Paladin, obviously not understanding the wiggles.
“Um more intense? What feelings?” Keith twirled the bottle in his hands, watching how the liquid moved around. It moved just like an other liquid but it sparkled slightly.
The alien stared at Keith then smiled. “Well they take the feelings you have for the person you give out to and enhances them. For example if you dislike the person, their feelings for you would turn negative towards you.”
Keith blinked a few times, why would anyone want that? “Um sounds fun I guess.”
“You know the feelings can go both ways, so if you like someone they would like you.” The alien winked at Keith and pulled a few boxes off the shelf, returning to their job of restacking or whatever. “But be warned, the effects are usually permanent.”
Keith shrugged his shoulders, he moved his arm to put the potion back on the shelf but stopped before he placed the bottle down. Lance. If I use this Lance would like me back. Keith brought the potion back down. He had been pining over Lance since the first day he laid eyes on him. He had started to forget about the tanner skinned boy when he was removed from the Garrison but being shot into space with said boy had made the feelings resurface and Keith wasn’t handling it well.
He kept his mind occupied by training and learning new things but every time he saw Lance or heard him talk his heart would jump slightly. He knew that Lance didn’t feel the same about him, he knew Lance only saw him as a rival and that hurt Keith more than anything. This could be my only chance. Should I do it? He gripped the bottle tighter and turned towards the alien, “how much?”
-
So that’s how Keith found himself standing outside Lance’s bed room and hour or so after everyone had turned in for the night. He held the bottle close to his chest and he stared down at the unfamiliar label. Should I even do this? The feeling wouldn’t be real, it would just be forced upon him, he wouldn’t really like me. Keith raised his hand to knock, biting his lip. What would Shiro say? He wouldn’t approve, I need to leave, this is so stupid. Keith lowered his fist and turned away from the door.
Keith was halfway down the hallway when Lance’s door opened, revealing a sleep deprived boy in a blue robe and a green face mask on. “Keith? You good?”
Keith stopped in his tracks, how did he wake him? “No I’m fine, sorry if I woke you.” He didn’t even spare a glance at the tanner boy, keeping his eyes on the floor.
“You didn’t wake me, I grew up with siblings I can tell when someone is standing outside my door. So what’s the reason, nightmares?” He scratched his head, slightly hoping Keith would turn around and looked at him.
Keith shook his head, he wished his problem was a nightmare or two. “No I’m fine, I just needed to think and I was going to ask you for advice but decided against it. Sorry.” Keith started to walk away, I just need to pour this potion down the drain and go to bed.
Lance sighed and started to walk towards the raven haired boy using his long stride to catch up to Keith quickly, “Keith wait.” He reached out and spun the boy around, slamming into Keith in the process, getting slightly wet by something. “Oh what the hell?!”
Keith’s eyes were the size of the moon, shit shit shit shit shit, no no no this isn’t good. The bottle top had fell off during the spin and the liquid spilled all over Lance.
Lance shook his head a few times, stepping back, using his hands to wipe his robe down. He didn’t say anything for a few ticks and Keith could hear his heartbeat in his ears. After a few moments Lance looked up at Keith and smiled, “hey pretty boy.”
-
Keith woke up to arms wrapped around him, a nose rubbing into the back of his neck. Where am I? Memories flooded Keith’s mind from the night before. Lance flirting with him, hugging him and trying to kiss him as Keith attempted to convince him to fall asleep. He had finally compromised with Lance, letting the slightly taller boy spoon him and sleep by him. Oh that’s right. The potion. Keith turned himself around so he could face the boy, prying the hands away from his waist. “Lance. Wake up.”
Lance slowly opened his eyes, muttering something under his breath before burying his face in Keith’s neck. “Come on, like 5 more minutes.”
Keith smiled slightly and pulled Lance’s head up from his neck, he’s so cute but this isn’t really Lance. His face fell into a slight frown and Lance mimicked his face.
“Why are you frowning?” He began to run his hands through the dark locks of Keith’s hair and he leaned into the touch.
“This isn’t real.” Keith’s voice sounded foreign to him, it sounded empty.
Lance gave the other boy a confused look before bringing him into a tight hug. “What are you talking about? I like you.”
Keith felt tears start to burn behind his eyes, this isn’t real, this isn’t right. He doesn’t actually like me. Keith inhaled, letting Lance’s smell filled his senses. He smelt like the ocean, slightly salty but warm, like a breeze. It reminded Keith fo the few time he would go to a beach when he was younger. “Whatever you say Lance,” I know you don’t, these aren’t your real feelings.
Lance hummed slightly, rubbing his hands up and down Keith’s back, Keith fighting back the shivers that threatened to consume him. They continued to lay there and cuddle for a few more hours, Lance eventually drifting back off to sleep after mumbling I love you in Keith’s hair.
Keith tried to enjoy himself, he really did, this is what he wanted. This is what he has been craving for years but now that he has it he doesn’t want it anymore. This isn’t real, he doesn’t like me. If it was genuine Keith would be more than willing to cuddle Lance and kiss his tan skin but it wasn’t. Lance probably doesn’t even know what he is doing, how can I fix this? Keith let his mind wander to where the problem started, letting the aliens words repeat in his head.
Well they take the feelings you have for the person you give out to and enhances them., For example if you dislike the person, their feelings for you would turn negative towards you along with but be warned, the effects are usually permanent. Keith’s eyes widened and he felt bile move up his throat. If I’m going to fix Lance, I’m going to have to hate him. Keith felt dizzy and the longer he laid in Lance’s arms the more his brain attempted to convince him not to change what happened. I need to hate him or else he’ll be in love with me when he doesn’t want to be.
Keith slumped closer to Lance, he could enjoy this for a bit longer right?
Hear me out: -Let's say Blue knows she won't make it through this particular crash/hit/injury. -Lance is inside, hurt as well, but he'll definitely make it. -(Blue made sure he'd make it. That's why her damage is so severe) -Lance asks her if she's okay, tells her she's a good girl and help is on the way. -He feels an incredibly warm sensation in his heart. -(But at the same time all he feels from blue is fear and sadness?) -Lance is confused as he cannot understand what Blue is trying to tell him. He's always clearly understood her. -The thing is: he can't understand what she's saying bc she's never had to say this before. 'Goodbye' -Blues life/energy forced dies and she becomes a cold hunk of metal. -immediately Lance feels something is different. -His chest is so... cold? -He can't breathe properly, like he had just faced death and survived -Everything inside of him just feels completely empty and useless. -Why does his gut feel so heavy? -His thoughts are surprisingly quiet too... -Then it all clicks. The emptiness, the silence, the loneliness, and the unbearable icy cold in his chest. -"I-I can't feel Blue anymore."
In which Lance has some sort of psychic ability (that he most likely gained from the Blue Lion) that allows him to sometimes see the future in his dreams and connect// talk with ghosts and has a sixth sense that allows him to feel a sharp sting in his chest and when someone close to him dies. He hasn't told anyone else on the team, including Hunk.
The only problem with his dreams is that it’s hard to remember them// interpret them. Like he’ll have a dream about a certain planet or an alien but it’s so vague// he forgets most of the evens in his dream and he just can’t understand what his ability is trying to tell him. So let’s just say that Hunk and Lance, a couple weeks after Shiro goes missing, find some weird alien herbs//plants and after getting examined//tested by Coran, they use the plants to cook something to cheer their fellow team members up.
While cutting something up, Lance feels a sharp tinge in his chest, and feels like all the air inside of him has left his body. He lets go of everything and he collapses on the ground, hyperventilating and trying not to bawl his eyes out
His younger brother Hugo, the sibling who loved going to the beach with Lance and stargazer at night had heavy cancer. Hugo sometimes hummed a song to himself whenever he was excited. He was a ten year old that dreamed of flying into space one day.
Lance stands up from the floor and after gently waving off Hunk’s questioning and telling his friend he just needed some rest, he quickly walks off to the hangars, and inside the Red lion ( since he had to switch lions). He crawls up in a bawl and starts crying and telling himself how he should’ve been by Hugo’s side as he left or how he should’ve been holding his mama as they both cried.
Red attempts to calm him down (key word: try) and starts purring and mumbling things to Lance.
Lance doesn’t remember how or when, but he finds himself laying down on some sort of beach on a warm and sunny day. He hears his name being called, from a far, so he shoots up and looks for the person who’s calling him..
In the distance, he can see a boy skipping up to him, a blue colored lion trotting besides him, humming his favorite song.
Lance can’t stop the grin that grows on his face as he runs up to scoop up the little boy
The Blue lion is the dream version of the actually Blue Lion that Lance used to pilot There’s a bunch of plot holes I’m sorry XD
