lancey-hance

[lancey-hance]

I just wish I could give lance all the hugs!! Also the raging seems to be working again so thx!

Song of the sea 32

“So, this is the everything in a nutshell,” Allura reiterated as they sat around on the bridge, “the five of us will leave in our lions and hunt down Alliance facilities.  Any captives we find or nests we find on the way we will take to…code name: Safe House.”

“Yup.”

“seems about right.”

“Furthermore,” Allura continued, “Coran, Ollie, and Pennel will take the ship and go in search of a planet that will ensure the natural safety the other planet offers.”

“How am I going to help anyone if I’m on the ship?” Pennel asked, cutting in.

“Isn’t she so smart?” Lance gushed patting her on the head.

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[lancey-hance]

This is cute but upsetting at the same time lol cause Lotor is annoying as hell

Young Mage

Part 6:

When Lance woke up he was surprised to find Lotor sitting in the bed next to him slowly brushing his fingers through his hair.

Such affection from his master was reserved for when he had done something perfectly, or gotten himself hurt again.

“Master Lotor?” Lance asked looking up at him in confusion.

“Yes little one? How are you feeling?”

Lance shrugged struggling to sit up, he felt so weak like his entire body had been drained of all its energy.

Lotor quickly steadied him bringing the boy closer so he could lean against him “what’s the last thing you remember?”

Frowning Lance thought hard. Everything seems fuzzy and distant like he was trying to remember a long forgotten dream “I woke up on the altar and there were two men in a cage.”

Lotor sighed with relief “Good i was worried perhaps the poison had done some serious damage.”

“Poison?”

Lotor nodded grimly “yes those men you saw slipped you some poison somehow, your lucky to be alive.”

“Oh” suddenly the affection made sense, when he was younger before he got his amulet Lance would often be struck with terrible fevers as his magic tried to burst through. Lotor would spend days with him, just softly telling him stories and doing small tricks to keep the boy amused.

If he had been in as much danger as he says then it really is no wonder Lotor was all but cuddling him.

“I feel tired” Lance mumbled as he rubbed his eye “when will that stop?”

Lotor pressed a kiss to the top of his head “not for a while i’m afraid my little one. But you do not need to worry about anything, all you need to do is rest and regain your strength.”

Lance nodded as he leaned into Lotor’s embrace “Thank you master.”

“I think we have known each other long enough to lose such formalities, you can simply call me Lotor.”

Lance smiled as his eyes slid shut “ok…Lotor.”

Keith and Shiro had been trapped for almost two days now and during that time they had only grown more and more frantic.

They discovered quickly that their weapons had no effect on the cage and though food and water appeared there was no visible way in or out.

It was like nothing but an impenetrable darkness existed outside the bars. One that even the dim light as their candles when thrown couldn’t penetrate.

“He must need us for something” Shiro said finally as Keith hacked at the metal with his sword.

He turned to look at the older knight “what could that be?”

Shiro shrugged “i don’t know, if he ransomed us back to Allura then we would be able to return with an army. He seems too smart just to keep us here to gloat, so there must be a reason.”

“You are correct black knight of Altea, i do need the two of you.” Lotors voice came from the darkness quickly followed by the man himself.

He looked tired, like he had slept as much as keith and Shiro had in the last couple days, which honestly wasn’t much at all.

“Where’s Lance?!” Keith snarled trying to reach through the bars but fell just short.

“He is currently fast asleep in his room, not that it is any of your concern of course.”

“Why are you doing this? Lance can’t use his magic like this, what possible reason could you have for wanting him a child?” Shiro watched as a small almost missable smiled spread across Lotors features.

“Have you ever been depended on? Held another person’s life in your hands and they trusted you completely? To be loved is truly incredible.”

Keith looked to Shiro who only frowned.

“So what you want Lance to love you?” Keith asked pulling his attention back to Lotor.

Lotro rested a finger against his chin in a thoughtful expression “in a way yes. I raised him and i came to consider him as my son. The problems arises when he grew older and i focused on being a teacher and not a parent, i know he presented me and that’s why he left. So i knew i had to return him to a time before.”

Keith and Shiro exchanged a look, they both thought that lance ended up like this because he messed up a spell, but from the sounds of it Lotor played a greater part in the ‘accident’ then anyone would have thought.

“You still haven’t told us what you want with us.” Shiro moved so he was standing next to Keith.

“At his current age Lance still trusts me, but the seeds of doubt are planted. If i truly want him to never leave i need to start again.From the beginning. To do that i need the two of you.”

Lotor snapped his fingers and chains materialised around the pairs wrists pulling them away from each other.

They tried to fight to stay together but ultimately they ended up suspended against the bars on opposite sides of the cage.

“So what?! Your going to turn Lance into a baby so you can play happy family?” Keith spat.

Lotor materialized in front of him holding a long black knife “in a way, though i wouldn’t be foolish enough to return him to an infant state. The magic repressors would surely fail then. No i was thinking more two or three, perhaps one and a half if i can find a way to strengthen the repressors.”

“You can’t do that to him! You can’t just take away his life like that!” Keith yells fell silent as the knife was held to his throat.

“I can do whatever i please. Now be quiet or i will use your little friend for the blood and you the hair i need.”

Keith glared but ultimately stayed quiet as Lotor ran the knife across his palm and collected the blood into a bowl “The blood of a loyal friend.” he muttered before he materialised next to Shiro.

Keith couldn’t hear what was being said but he did see the moment that shiro’s hair was cut away leaving just one poof on the top of his head.

“And the hair of a trusted alli. Soon my youth potion will be complete and Lance will be mine forever.”

“And us?” Keith asked.

“Well you two shall remain here incase i need more ingredients, just because i hope to be a good father does not mean i will succeed so easily.

The horror realising they were trapped here was replaced with the terror of knowing that Lance could be hurt over and over again and have no idea.

The chains were released, Keith and Shiro fell to the floor “see you in a few years perhaps.” Lotor smiled as Keith charged at him only to be met with nothing but thin air and a fading pair of yellow eyes.

When Lance next woke he was alone.

He looked around his room surprised to see a few toys and books had been added to what was once only a place for sleeping.

The most notible difference was the inclusion of a door, somthing that Lotor had always expected him to conjor up if he he wanted to get out.

Lance climbed out of bed and wobbled for a moment panting as he steadied himself against the wall as he made his way to the door and opened it.

It opened surprisingly into Lotors room, somewhere Lance oftern only saw when he delivered his master breakfast.

“The poison must really have scared him” Lance muttered to himself as he closed the door again.

It was strange he couldn’t quite remember when it could have been slipped to him, afterall Lance made his own food and it wasn’t like it was easy to get inside. As far as Lance knows they would have to be let inside by Lotor himself.

Could they have magic more powerful then his masters?

The possibility honestly scared him, for the last few years Lance had lived with the knowledge that here was safe because no one could match Lotor’s magic.

His mind drifted back to Lotor once telling him about a prophecy about how the most powerful magic user to be born will bring peace to the world and unite all the kingdoms. If one of the men in the dungeon were that person then they had to know they should be good guys!

Lance concentrated on opening a doorway. It was difficult considering how weak he currently was but slowly a small opening began to glow in the wall. Lance smiled as he wobbled though feeling victorious right up until he tripped and fell into the lap on a scary man.

[lancey-hance]

Awwww that ending was cute but I just wish the tagging would work cause my tumblr still won’t notify me when you tag me :/

Song of the Sea 31

Gen scowled at the large hand encompassing his wrist as Hunk dragged him out of the hospital.  Making a sharp turn, Gen managed to keep up as hunk picked up the pace.  He was heading to a large milling crowed. Larger than Gen had ever seen.  

So many bodies jostled him and nearly stepped on him.  The half-blood was tall, only a head shorter than Lance, and he felt…dwarfed by the shear number of those that crowded around him. Instinctively he reached out and grabbed hold of Hunk with his other hand.  The thought of being separated was a terrifying one.

The noise was also deafening.  His grip on Hunk tightened as the flow of the crowed worked to separate them.  

“…Hunk….HUNK!”

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[lancey-hance]

This was such a cute team bonding scene

Untitled ABO Fic pt11

Pidge had indeed made it to her lab. She had grumbled about having to leave the project she’d just started, however, apparently her ire with having been lied to mere hours before Lance had almost literally jumped ship two months ago was stronger than her desire to work on her project.

Lance had gulped. Pidge could hold a grudge forever, if she wanted to. He could almost feel the sting of her bayard and she hadn’t even threatened him with it (yet).

Allura and Shiro were being utterly unhelpful, both suspiciously wrapped up in playing with Izzy, who was loving the attention. Allura must have had some previous exposure to very young children, because she was deliberately keeping her hair out of Izzy’s reach, despite the infant’s numerous attempts to go for it.

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[lancey-hance]

My poor babies! I love them all so much!!

Song of the Sea 29

“Papa?”  Radik poked his head into the conference room, “Papa?”

“what is it, Radik?” Lance asked turning away from his conversation with Hunk and Faxix.  Radik walked over and pushed Lances chair back.  Sighing a little he bent over and picked the child up.  He nestled back into Lance and placed his smaller hands on Lances arms which were wrapped around the boys middle.

“there,” he said, “all better.”

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[lancey-hance]

Untitled ABO fic pt10

Lance woke with a jolt, his daughter’s piercing cries more effective then any alarm clock. For a brief moment, his sleep addled brain failed to recognize his surroundings. He was supposed to be in a room with purple highlights and the bare minimum furniture. So why was he in a room with blue highlights and a comfy bed?

And then it clicked.

Lotor. The lies. Running into Keith. Escaping and returning to the team. 

And Shiro. Shiro who wanted to try to have a relationship with him.

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[lancey-hance]

I love this so much!! Although I wish it had gotten even more angsty with lance being turned but oh well it was still fabulous

Monster Mash: Vampire

I messed up and accidentally did a thing but this is for @langsty-mc-langstface and their monster mash thing. I’m so happy i was able to participate. So happy Halloween and Lansty if you’re reading this I’m sorry for the private answer, I’m still new to this.

“Lance! Hurry up!” The shout came from ahead of him. He was trying his best to keep up, but with the sprain he got from tripping, his best wasn’t working.

“I’m trying, Keith.” His bag was weighing heavy on his back. Sometimes he hated his job. The car came into sight quickly, the group already ushering him forward. A growl broke through the trees and he screamed pushing himself harder.

“Glad you made it, kid.” Shiro, the team dad, said from the driver’s side. He hissed as his ankle was pulled onto Hunk’s lap.

“I’m fine Hunk.” He was given a disbelieving look. Yeah, as much as he hated being a paranormal hunter, he loved his team. “So that was a trap.” Keith just hummed, looking at the map. His team consisted of Shiro the leader/designated dad, Pidge the researcher, Hunk the battering ram, Keith the stealth agent, and him the person who would talk to the victims. Allura and Coran were the people who held down the base and made sure the place was secure.

“This vampire group seems to be toying with us.” Pidge commented, silently handing bandages back to Hunk.

“Geez, it’s just a sprain. I’ve had worse.” The flesh was tender to the touch and angry looking once his boot was tugged off. He yelped at the poking and prodding.

“Lance just let Hunk help you.” Keith told him as they were pulling onto the highway. It was another half an hour of Lance fighting the help and getting yelled at to shut up before they were turning onto the dirt road that took them to the safe house. The house was a modest cabin complete with the wooden logs on the outside. The inside was cozy and unassuming, but it was the basement that they did all their work. The minute the car was parked, Lance hobbled out, insisting that he was fine to walk. The fall on his face completely unrooted that claim. Keith held him up as they walked into the cabin.

“Welcome back! There is a warm meal waiting on the table for you.” Coran called cheerfully from the kitchen. Keith brought him over to the couch settling him down to look at the injury.

“Keith I promise, I’m fine.” His tone was now soft, as he held his hands. Keith looked back at him with worry.

“I just want to make sure. We need you here, Lance. I need you.” Lance cradled Keith’s face softly, smiling.

“I am here. I always will be.”

The cement floor was cold against his bare torso. His body was littered in bruises and cuts. The details were still fuzzy but he could sort of remember how he got here.

The building they were searching was empty. No clues were left behind, frustrating the team. Suddenly one of the walls exploded. Lance made the quick decision to push Keith out of the way, shielding him from the blast. As the smoke was clearing, five figures emerged from the busted wall. Hands grabbed him, pulling him off of Keith. He screamed and kicked, making it as difficult as possible to hold him, but the people were strong. “Lance!” He heard the scream before the blow to the head struck him unconscious.

He groaned, rolling over to push himself up. Three young children stared at him with wide eyes. “Uh, hi.” He waved slightly to them, “My name is Lance, what’s your names?” two of the three huddled behind the middle one.

“May.” Her voice was timid.

“It’s lovely to meet you May.” She seemed to relax as he made no move to get closer to the little group. Lance knew that kids got scared easily, and if they were trapped with him, he didn’t want to give them a reason to mistrust him. Hey, he didn’t starve himself for a psychology degree for nothing.

“I’m Kayla.” The other girl popped her head out from behind May.

“That is a beautiful name, Kayla.” She giggled.

“That one’s Miguel, he talks funny.” The boy Miguel puffed up indignantly.

“Yo hablo bien!” (I talk just fine) He cried and Lance chuckled. The boy looked at him questioningly.

“Creo que hablan gracioso” (I think they talk funny) Miguel brightened up significantly, running over to him and hugging him. “I promise I’ll protect you.” He was looking over all the kids, the promise settling deeply in his heart. The metal doors crashed open, scaring the kids into running to him for protection.

“Isn’t that just touching” The cold sneer came from a man who must have been a head taller than him. The man had pure white hair tied back in a ponytail. He looked normal if you didn’t notice the white fangs peeking out and the traces of blood under the fingernails. Lance noticed, he always notices monsters. “A hunter trying to protect kids. Emphasis on trying.” His voice sounded fancy and rich, Lance hated it. His arms tightened around the kids.

“Who are you?” The laugh he got was unexpected, but didn’t surprise him.

“Don’t you know? Your little group of hunters have been a thorn in my side for weeks now.”

“Lotor.” He growled.

“Aren’t you smart? I would love to play with you more, but it is time for us to feed, so I must take one of these little ones.” One of his hands reached out to take one of the kids. Lance slapped his hand away, tackling the vampire to the floor.

“No you fucking don’t. I don’t care if you are a vampire, you are not taking these children.” He screamed, his efforts to hold the monster down were futile as he was flipped over easily. Lotor was fast and he was able to get to May, grabbing her roughly. “Stop! I’ll take her place. I have more blood to give anyway.” May was dropped to the floor and he was dragged out of the cell. Hands were all over him, holding him still.

“If you refuse to cooperate, I’ll just grab one of the pipsqueaks.” The threat had him pausing. The pause was just long enough for Lotor to bite down on his neck and begin to drain him. Two other vampires began to drink from him, making him dizzy quickly. Right as black spots began to dance across his vision, the vampires stopped drinking. Gauze was pressed against the wounds and held there by medical tape. He was tossed into the cell again harshly. Little hands touched the gauze gently.

“You didn’t have to do that, mister.” The sadness in May’s voice broke his heart.

“I did. I promised I would protect you. You’re just kids. You shouldn’t have to go through this.” Slowly but surely his vision began to come back. He groaned, looking at the kids, softly. “I’ll get you out of here.”

He doesn’t know how long he had been at this place, but he began to lose hope that he would be found. Every day it was either a feeding or a torture session trying to draw information out of him. If he did not follow along, his team and the kid’s lives were threatened. The things they fed him were all liquid based. He began to suspect they were slipping him magic potions so his blood would replenish faster. Lotor would often fed off him and he only had two other large group feedings. His ribs were sticking out making him look more skeleton then boy. Currently Lotor held his jaw while he was attached to his throat. His eye sight was growing blurry around the edges and he felt as if this was the last feeding until he was dead. The warm fluid escaped Lotor’s mouth running down his chest. “Look at you, my pretty meal.” His tongue swiped at the puncture wounds cleaning his chest as well. The vampire left him lying in the cell alone. Lance had somehow gotten the vamp to release the children back home. Lotor only agreed because he wasn’t using them for food and feeding them was getting expensive. The last thing Lance told the children was to try and contact his team, giving the number for Shiro’s phone. The door closed tightly behind the monster, but not tight enough to block the sounds of gunshots. He was too weak to react, accepting that he would bleed out here. The door burst open and he could see the flash of white hair before he was picked up roughly. “Is this the hunter you are looking for? This pathetic whelp?” He could see a large man standing in the doorway with his gun drawn.

“Put the boy down, Lotor.” The man had a rough voice, it would have sent shivers down his spine if he could move more than his eyes at this point.

“You’re a traitor to the Vampire kind.” He heard the sound of a gun cocking, the minute his body was tossed to the floor. “He will be dead soon enough. You can’t save him.” The gun fired, clearly hitting something if the thump of a body hitting the floor was anything to go by.

“Quick, get the boy out of here and see that he stays alive, and no one turn him.” Hands grabbed him again, but much more gently. He closed his eyes, figuring he could sleep quickly.

He woke up in a place he did not recognize at all. The bed he was on reminded him of a hospital bed there was even an IV hooked into his arm. He knew he wasn’t in a hospital because the room had bedroom furniture and smelled like roses and not antiseptics. The door to his room opened and the man that was in the doorway of his cell at Lotor’s walked in. “How are you feeling kid?” now that he could move all his limbs, the deep voice sent shivers down his spine. If he was single he would want that voice to whisper thing to him. Okay that’s where that train of thought ends.

“Where am I?” His voice was rough from the lack of use.

“You’re at the Blades base.” Ah the Blades, a group of vampires who branched away from eating humans and turned to help get rid of the other supernatural creatures causing harm to human kind. Many were involved with different hunter groups.

“Why? Where’s my team?” He sat up slowly, careful of his sore muscles.

“You’re team reached out to us to help find you. You are barely alive as of now so you have to stay here and rest before we can take you to them. I have already sent a message that you are with us.”

“Why should I trust you?” The man chuckled, the low light reflected off his fangs.

“You can’t, but you have to. I’m the only one keeping you alive. The other Blade members are at a different base.” Lance shrugged, pulling the blanket up so it covered his chest. The phantom pinpricks stung when he moved his neck.

It was a week before he could go back to the cabin. His body still sore, but according to the Blade member, who refused to give him his name, his blood was fully replenished. Lotor was giving him a mixture that increased his production of red blood cells and the Blade gave him a mixture that combated the first one so his production levels were normal now. He has not gotten over the nightmares, and he doesn’t think he will. The car they were in pulled up to the front of the cabin, still looking for the most part normal, other than the overgrown garden. The front door opened and Shiro stepped out. “Wait here.” The Blade commanded.

“Why?” he never got an answer as the door was slammed closed and the Blade walked up to Shiro. Too bad the Blade didn’t know he could read lips. They were talking about what happened between Lance being saved and now. The Blade said something about asking Lance himself what happened during the capture. He had enough and got out of the car. “I got tired of waiting.” He offered as an explanation to the Blade. He walked past the pair and went inside. The team was spread around the living room, talking quietly.

“When Lance gets here, we can’t let Keith hog him.” Allura told the group looking right at Keith.

“What if I hog him for myself?” He asked bringing everyone’s attention to him. Before he could blink Keith had his arms tightly around him. Something wet soaked into his shirt. “It’s okay, Keith. I’m here now.”

“You asshole!” The scream scared him considering it was next to his ear. “You could have gotten killed.”

“But I didn’t.” his shoulder was shoved and he hid the wince from the direct hit to one of the deeper bites. “Okay, okay. I get, I’m an asshole” Keith sighed, burying his head in his neck. Lance reeled back, pushing Keith away with a pained shriek, the feeling of sharp fangs still fresh in his mind. The room was left in silence at his reaction. The Blade member and Shiro walked in right at that moment, obviously seeing how stupid he was being.

“I should have mentioned that.” The blade said so nonchalantly, it irked him.

“What’s wrong with him? Usually he likes when I do that.” Keith was angry, but Lance couldn’t figure out at who.

“Keith, I’m sorry. You can do it again, I won’t freak out.” He was ignored, other than the protective grip Keith had on him.

“When I found Lance here, he was drained from Lotor having just fed on him. He seemed to have been used as a blood source if the multiple bites are anything to go by.”

“How many times Lance?”

“What?”

“How many times did you get bitten?” Lance paled, his pulse throbbed under the scars.

“I don’t remember. Too many. But it saved those kids so I don’t regret it.”

“How many times?” The question was directed at the Blade member.

“I found twelve marks on his torso and Lotor seemed to keep to one place so it could be any number of times.” He felt the movement of his shirt, before he could react the flimsy material was pushed up to his neck showing everyone just how frail he looked.

“Jesus Lance, why did you let this happen?” Pidge was stern with him, and normally he would have laughed but he was upset.

“There were children in danger! If I didn’t volunteer, they would be dead by now.” The room fell silent.

“Those kids saved your life. They told us where you were. That was how the Blade was able to get you.” A weight lifted off his shoulders, knowing the kids were alive. Tears welled up in his eyes with the overwhelming emotions. Keith hugged him again, careful of where he had his head placed. He let sobs wrack his body as he held onto him. The Blade left after telling the team what to expect as changes, but he wasn’t paying attention to that. All he paid attention to was the feeling of security that he finally felt after months of fear and being brought to the edge of death. The homely smell of the cabin helped him sink into the comfort of Keith’s arms. He was home, and while he wasn’t safe, he was secure at last.

[lancey-hance]

I guess I missed this one and I’m still confused as to why that guy hit lance and how lance is taking all this so well

I hope the children will all be ok

Song of the Sea 25

The first to board the ship were medics and their guards.  Allura lead them swiftly to the control room where she operated the pods to release their patents.

After the healers exited the ship, the main force entered to evaluate the situation.

Everyone was on the bridge except for Lance who they locked in the lounge.  Shiro lead an alien that looked to be in charge to the lounge while everyone else was questioned and filled out their own paperwork.

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[lancey-hance]

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! Lance is the embodiment of all parents and I think you’ve written him amazingly! If your still tagging people could you tag me for the next updates?

Song of the Sea 24

Allura sat bolt upright in her bed.

The pounding on her door could bring it down if she didn’t hurry.  Grabbing her robe she hurried over to find Lance panting outside her door.

“..can’t…work…the pods…”

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[lancey-hance]

I’m feelin the same as Keith and pidge right now cause Allura and shiro are being annoying af

Song of the Sea 11

Lance sighed as the screaming continued to echo off every rock. With great effort he sat up and scooted across the room. The exit was a small crevice in the rock that let out into a much larger cavern.

Five children of various sizes looked up at him as he entered. The tallest one was holding a screaming baby. One of the smaller kids ran up to him; Lu patted his arm gently.

“Here,” Lance waved the kid over as he leaned against the wall with a wince, “let me hold him.”

“Her,” the kid said, “And just because Lu trusts you doesn’t mean we all do.”

“Fair enough,” Lance nodded, “But I’ve got a headache and that screaming really needs to stop.”

“Oh, like you know how to make her stop?” the kids nose stuck up into the air, “we’ve all cared for each other and have no need for you.”

Lance sighed.

“I’m not going anywhere and you all could over power me easily,” Lance said, “there’s no harm in letting me try to make her stop.”

“Go on Heppik,” one of the other kids said, “Kax said he’s ok.”

The older halfbreed walked slowly and handed the baby over.

Careful not to stretch out his left arm or put too much weight on that side, he positioned the baby on its side. The little arm under his own so its head was directly cradled in the crook of his arm.

“There,” Lance said, “I don’t smell anything, so you’re not messy-”

“I already fed her,” Heppik snapped, “she’s just tired.”

“Oh, then that’s fine,” Lance grinned, “getting babies to sleep is my specialty.”

He hummed a little and put his finger in the baby’s mouth. The baby screamed for a while longer but then started to suck on his finger.

“Lay down your head, And I’ll sing you a lullaby. Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay

And I’ll sing you to sleep and I’ll see you tomorrow. Bless you with love for the road that you go”

The baby stared up at him with wide little black eyes. Lance smiled back down.

“May there always be angels to watch over you To guide you each step of the way To guard you and keep you safe from all harm Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay”

He repeated the chorus until the baby fell asleep. By the time it did, however, he was winded and hurting more than he thought he would.

“Wow,” one of the kids came up to him to peek at the baby, “she’s never fell asleep that fast before. Even Kax has a hard time with her!”

“Babies…they like the hollow sound…of your voice. That’s why they press their ears…to your chest or arm when they sleep.”

“Makes sense,” the kid said, “my name it Radik.”

“Kax named you all?”

“How did you know?”

“You all have Galra sounding names, so just a guess,” Lance grinned, “Never thought I’d see the day, though. A Galra soldier taking care of kids…”

“Don’t you dare!” Heppik snapped, “Don’t you dare speak bad about Kax!”

Lances grin widened, “I wasn’t. I was just thinking the new empire could use the guy. He could teach the other Galra a thing or two.”

“He doesn’t wanna go back!”

“Shhhhh,” Lance glanced down to make sure the baby was still asleep, “I wasn’t saying he had to. I’ve fought the Galra; a lot of really bad guys that did a lot of horrible things. But we found Galra that were good and were trying to fix everything the bad Galra had done. We became friends with those. They’re doing their best right now to build a new home. If Kax does want to go back, do you really think he’ll leave you behind?”

Lance grinned wider as Heppik turned scarlet. He’d hit the nail on the head.

“What is our guest doing out of bed?” Kax entered into the cavern, his deep voice echoed off the walls even though he spoke softly, “Heppik, I put you in charge.”

“He climbed out on his own and then said I should hand Frea over,” Heppik said lowering his head.

“And you did?”

“I didn’t give him much choice,” Lance said, “the baby was screaming so we put her to sleep. He did a fantastic job.”

“No one asked you!” Heppik snapped. Kax sighed and patted the boys shoulder.

“Take Frea back and put her to bed,” he said, “and you, our guest, should not be up.”

“My name is Lance,” he said, loosening his hold on the baby so Heppik could take her away, “glad I got to meet the fam, but I really need to get going, busted bones or no. My friends are probably waiting for me to show up.”

()

“But that doesn’t make any sense!” Shiro snapped, “How could there be another one of you? I remember it very well. You three saved me from the garrison and then I flew the blue lion to Aris where we were assigned different lions. Allura took over blue.”

“What you’re saying is what makes no sense!” Pidge snapped, “Lance is the blue paladin! Allura piloted Blue for a little while, but when Keith came back from the Blades, Lance gave Red back to Keith and Allura gave Blue back to Lance!”

“But I’ve always piloted Blue,” Allura replied, using her diplomacy voice on them, “I’ve never sat back in a single fight since we met!”

“Can I say something,” Ollie asked a little timidly. The two leader like people were sitting across from the other three. The orange haired one was flying the ship. Ollie sat to one side looking back and forth as they bantered.

“And then we have this!” Shiro exclaimed, “What happened?!”

“We TOLD you!”

“You and Allura went to the meeting with the Hunters and LANCE got into a little bit of trouble which caused a huge upset. You guys decided to make it worse by agreeing with Lance!”

“Which is why they don’t remember,” Ollie said, but no one was listening still.

“You even had a fight with Lance before you left for the meeting!”

“I argued with no one!”

“We don’t argue,” Allura shrugged, “I don’t remember arguing with any of you.”

“this is worse than motion sickness…”

“Hold it together, Hunk,” Pidge said, not taking her eyes from the other two, “we at least need to get them to go back so we can pick up Lance.”

“If we pick him up, then you’ll have all the evidence you need!”

“Or, maybe its you that has been compromised,” Shiro said folding his arms, “how can we trust you?”

“How can you trust anyone?!” Keith shouted, standing up this time, “Shiro, we screwed up! We all made a HUGE mistake! Some poor kid died because we didn’t trust Lance! That’s on our hands! Just because you don’t remember it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen!”

“We still don’t know who this guy is!”

Keith sighed, and left the room. He was done. He couldn’t do it anymore.

“How come Keith gets to go?”

“I would like to go home, if you don’t mind,” Ollie said into the now quiet room, “Your friend is injured, but Kax will fix him up in no time.”

“So putting these thoughts of a different blue paladin is your doing?” Allura asked, finally acknowledging the child.

“Oh, good you’re listening, finally,” Ollie stood, “Your memories of specific people and events have been completely erased. You will not get them back, ever. Your mind has now wrapped itself around the empty places and filled in the blanks with its own story.”

“And why should we believe the enemy of what used to be our friends?”

“Should we turn around and see if we could patch up our relationship with them?”

“Only if you want to lose everything that you ever were,” Ollie shrugged, “Go ahead. But I won’t be caught.”

()

“Dradites were just like any other race. They built, destroyed, and rebuilt just like everyone else. Then someone discovered that Dradites could control quintessence in an…unusual way. Dradites can work with it directly and make it do stuff; like when you guys were going into the ship, I made it look like no one was there. I created an illusion of sorts by bending light. Lu, my little sister, uses the quintessence energy to speed up her movements. Its not like we’re all powerful, but we have specific ways we can use the energy around us. Well, stars forbid anyone have an upperhand in the galactic space race for feeling superior, and the Dradite worlds were attacked. The wars lasted for eons. Some generations back there was a rumor that said if you harvested parts of a Dradite, you could gain their power; now people use it as more of a fashion statement or charms of sorts. That’s where the Hunters came into play. Anyone who protected the Dradites or defended them were killed until the Council found out how to wipe a persons memory. Ever since then, they’ve only gotten better and can now pick and choose very specific memories.”

Ollie sat back. This was the history Kax had taught them. He’d found out from someone else as well. How true it was was up for debate, but Ollie saw no reason to disbelieve it.

“And your mind controlling?”

“Why would we waste the effort?” Ollie asked, “I actually tried to for stars sake, and its really hard. Its like you have to battle the other persons quintessence and then their will and natural instincts! I suppose a pure blood Dradite may have more luck, but I can’t see why anyone would tire themselves out like that…unless they were in danger…”

“Yeah, I can see how it would be a good thing if you’re cornered,” hunk nodded and got a look from Shiro and Allura, “What?”

“We need to find a way to find out the truth,” Allura said, “we can’t just go off on hearsay!”

“Wish you had that thought before you killed one of us,” Ollie replied.

“But we SHOULD go get Lance first,” Pidge said firmly, her own arms folded.

“He’s fine,” Ollie said, “Kax is healing him. If you want answers I can tell you where the home worlds of the Dradites are.”

()

“Sooo…they left.”

Kax watched the boy closely as the news sunk in.

“Ha, I guess that makes sense.”

Kax raised both eyebrows, “how so?”

“You said the two leader like people had their memories taken, right? And I’ve probably really pissed everyone else off. And anyone seeing that fall off the cliff would think I’d died, so it really does make sense.”

The Galra wasn’t sure why the boy was acting this way, but thought it couldn’t hurt to let him come up with his own explanations. He could tell that being left behind bothered him, but the boy was old enough to manage his own thoughts and emotions.

“Well, I guess I’ll have time to heal then,” his grin as big as ever, “I’ll be out of your…braid, as soon as I can, promise.”

Kax snorted and shuffled out of the room he had set aside for Lance. He almost tripped over Lu who was standing just outside. She looked up and smiled.

“Let him sleep,” Kax answered her unasked question. Lu frowned and walked away slowly.

()

Lance lay there staring up at the rocks above him. He was tired of sleeping. He was tired of his stupid brain giving him nothing but nightmares.

Why didn’t he just stay at home?

“You look like you’re gonna cry,” Heppik said as he walked in. He held a small plate of food. “Kax said to bring you this.”

“You look like you want it more than I do,” Lance said, not feeling really hungry.

“Kax said if you refused it to shove it in your mouth.”

“Kax says more than most pure blooded Galra I know,” Lance said shifting so he could eat without spilling.

Heppik waited for Lance to finish. There was very little flavor, but Lance guessed that was for the better. Anything too strong would have upset his stomach.

“You’re going to leave when you’re all better, right?” Heppik asked as Lance eased himself back down.

“That’s my plan,” Lance said grinning.

“…where will you go?”

“I’ve not planned that far,” Lance chuckled, “I’ll figure something out; I always have.”

“Won’t your friends come back?”

“Maybe. But I hope not. That castle will be noticed way to easily and its way too dangerous for them to be here.”

Heppik wrinkled his nose in distain.

“You are a terrible person,” he said snatching the plate away and leaving the room.

“Gee,” Lance sighed, “tell me how you really feel.”

()

“Are you sure about these coordinates?”

“That’s what Kax said,” Ollie shrugged, “he gave us all the information so that we could pass it on to the younger kids and maybe one day we could go back.”

“Who is Kax?”

“I love how we’re just trusting this kid without any-”

“You don’t get to be sarcastic Shiro. In fact, we’re done with you talking for now.”

“Ummm…” Hunk watched Keith and Shiro glare death rays at each other. They hadn’t said a single pleasant word to each other since they’d left. Ollie had convinced them that Lance was ok, but for some reason Keith and Shiro still remained at odds about how to go about doing…everything.

Pidge was moody and watched the fight as if Keith were speaking for her as well.

Hunk wondered if he was the only one that remembered that Shiro had had his memory erased and needed to be treated as such.

Then there was Allura. She was awesome and as knowledgeable as ever, but she was much more…prim and stiff. Her formality got in the way of a lot of their conversations; to the point were they just went to Coran for everything.

“Kax is the guy that has taken everyone he could find with Dradite blood and have taken care of us,” Ollie explained, “He’s tall and an awesome fighter! He teaches us how to take care of ourselves. I’ve lived with Kax for the last fifteen cycles. Lu just got there a year ago. Heppik is the oldest and-”

“You look like you’re ten,” Pidge cut in.

“Dradites grow quickly, but my other half is rather short genetically. So I’ve matured quickly, but I’ll pretty much stay this size.”

“This is actually very interesting,” Corans eyes were dancing, “I would love to do more research on this.”

“Not now Coran,” Allura replied, “I need you up front at the console. This is uncharted territory and I don’t have time to go out in the blue lion to scan it.”

“As if Blue would let you in,” Pidge and Keith muttered.

“What was that?”

“We said that Blue won’t let you in,” Pidge said and Keith nodded.

“Excuse me?”

“We said-”

“I heard you!” She snapped cutting Keith off and stepping off the dais, “we shall see.”

They made their way to the blue lion hangar only to see Blues barrier up. Allura walked up and placed her hand on the barrier; Blue sat there without moving.

“I don’t understand…”

Pidge and Keith smirked while Hunk sighed. Ollie was staring wide eyed at the beast and ran his own hand along the edge of the barrier. It felt like liquid energy; cool to the touch.

“I like this,” Ollie said rubbing his fingers all over the barrier.

“Get away from the lion,” Allura reached out to drag him away, but Ollie moved faster. He scowled at her as he stepped away.

“If you really can manipulate quintessence, then I don’t even want you in the hangars!”

“No one will complain if I taze her, right?” Pidge asked and Hunk placed a hand on her and Keiths shoulders to hold them back. He didn’t really think they would, but the last few days had shown him that nothing is a solid bet.

“Where is the blue bayard, princess?” Keith asked, his tone making Hunk hold on tighter to get him to stop.

“Its…” Allura couldn’t remember where she put it though she had been certain she’d had it.

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[lancey-hance]

Oh thank god shiro wasn’t an asshole! I was a little worried there

Untitled ABO fic pt8

WARNINGS: DISCUSSION OF PAST SEX WITH AN UNDER-AGED MINOR (17 YEAR OLD), PAST NON-CONSENSUAL BODY MODIFICATION, AND SHIRO’S DEPRESSION/SELF DOUBT (all are mildly discussed - but not too extensively - bc it needed to be talked about). 

The trip to his room was silent, save for the sound of their footsteps. Lance could feel the muscles in his body attempting to grow tense with each passing moment that Shiro failed do or say something other than just walking beside him utterly without word. He would occasionally look at him, but beyond that… nothing.

It was the same treatment he received anytime they were in the same area with each other, especially alone. It would have been easier, if Lance could have pretended it had never happened, like Shiro was determined to do, but the evidence of That Night was all too real for him. She was literally laying in his arms at that moment.

Keep reading

[lancey-hance]

!

Untitled ABO fic pt7

As the Blue Lion touched down in her hanger, Lance almost fled. He both did and did not want to see who the new Blue Paladin was, this person that had replaced him. Wasn’t sure if he wanted it to be someone he knew or someone he’d never met.

Through the bond, Blue sent a wave of love and calm. Having more than one Paladin was not a weakness, for her. She loved both of them equally.

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[lancey-hance]

Dun dun dUNNNNNNNN

Song of the Sea 8

“…come with me…mmm…made of gold…mmmhmm…mmmmhm….ocean meets the sky ….mmmm…we’ll sing the song of the sea …mmmm…”

“Lance?”

Lance looked up from helping Coran clean the sleep pods.

“What?”

“What are you singing?”

“Singing?!” Lance raised both eyebrows, “I wasn’t singing.”

But Hunk continued to give him a very worried look so Lance thought for a moment. Had he been singing?

Lance started to laugh as it came to him.

“Holy Crow! I’ve not thought about that song since I was in third grade!”

“What song,” Hunk asked carefully. This was thin ice. It had been almost two months since they’d finally got rid of the Dradite. But they still didn’t like coming anywhere close to the topic.

“My Gran'pap came over from Ireland and lived with us for a few years and taught us a bunch of old songs and lullabys. Mom and dad had a fit when he taught us an old drinking song. He went back home when I was like, eight? Somewhere around that time? I’d all but forgotten those songs!”

“So you were remembering your grandpa?”

“I guess so,” Lance grinned, “Old Gran'pappi William.”

Hunk choked. Lance slapped his back.

“You’re supposed to swallow your spit, big guy, not inhale it.”

Hunks head spun. Lance had named the Dradite after his own grandfather! He had given it a family name!

“Hunk, you ok?” Lance was starting to get really worried about his friend.

“Yeah, I’m just going to go get a drink of water, do you want one?”

“Naw, I’m almost done,” Lance shrugged, “You look like you might need a nap too.”

()

Over time the team became used to Lance absent mindedly humming the lullabys he used to know.

He went out to scan areas and they teamed up with hunters in search of those that would disturb the peace.

They had even take a quick trip home and saw their families. Lance was the first one off the ship to the awaiting crowd of people. He was so happy he even hugged his new brother-in-law.

Hunk was just as excited and even Shiro couldn’t keep his joy from showing. Krolia greeted Keith; she had come with Sam and Colleen to see them. Allura was ecstatic to finally see everything that the paladins would talk about or reference. She was everywhere and all in all acted like a little kid.

They stayed for a few months before Allura asked them if they wished to go back out and explore.

“We still have to help,” she added. To her surprise they answered immediately.

“We were wondering what you were waiting for!”

“Home is great, but once you’ve been out and about, you can���t stay for very long after wards.”

Hunk was in seventh heaven as he stocked the kitchen with everything he’d ever wanted in space. Kalteneker even got a few new friends in the form of chickens.

The team said their good byes and Shiro watched as Lances sister had the new niece wave good bye to Lance. Lance waved back, totally unashamed.

()

“I’m taking a brake today,” Lance said face down on the couch.

“You were out late last night,” Pidge said sitting on top of him and typing away on her laptop.

“I couldn’t get a solid read in the area I was in,” Lance sighed, “I still didn’t manage to get anywhere.”

“Allura told you to leave it for another day.”

“It was mocking me.”

“You sure showed it.”

“stuff it.”

She chuckled and even Lance had to grin into the cushions. Until he felt something against his ear. Wiggling slightly to release his arm he reached into the back cushion and pulled out a blue rubber ring.

Pidges heart stopped.

“What’s this?”

“Oh, nothing,” Pidge snatched it out of his hand, “Its just something hunk and I were working on. We were, um, testing out coolant materials. It gets hot in the lions sometimes…”

Lance laughed, “that’s good. I thought for a moment that I accidently stole my nieces teething ring. My sister woulda been pissed.”

Quiznak, that’s a better story.

Pidge waited but Lance didn’t seem to be bothered at all. She shoved the ring deep into her pocket. She had been sure that they had turned these couches inside out before Shiro and Lance had come back!

()

At night Lance stared at his dark ceiling. He’d just been dreaming about something. He knew he’d had the dream before, but he just couldn’t place it. He could never remember it.

But it always made him sad.

()

“Dude! This planet has a MARKET!” Lance grabbed Hunks arm, “Markets are so cool!”

“Food stalls!” hunk joined in.

“Back ally merchants!” Pidge exclaimed.

Keith shook his head.

“Just be back at the castle before it gets dark,” Shiro sighed, “We are here to touch base with the hunters, that’s it.”

“Yes sir!”

Keith and Pidge went one way and Lance and hunk went another. They mingled with the locals and had a grand time trying new things. At times they would run into each other they’d swap what they’d found and then head off again.

“We should head back now,” hunk said looking up, “it might take us a while to walk back and I don’t want to run.”

“Sure, just let me get these earings for my mom.”

Lance was just putting his purchase in his bag when something caught his eye. Tilting his head he could make out a pair of tiny feet sticking out of a box down the nearby ally way.

“Where you going?” Hunk asked as Lance walked away from him in the opposite direction they were supposed to be heading.

“Just a sec,” Lance said rounding the corner. The littlest girl he’d ever seen sat curled up in the dirtiest rags. Her skin was a malted purple and her thin blue hair floated around her head. One nearly transparent, feathery antenna rose up above her head.

“Hey little one,” Lance said softly, bending down. He reached into his bag and pulled out the snacks he and Hunk had bought earlier, “Are you hungry?”

Her black eyes widened and she started to shake.

“Its ok,” Lance placed the snack, still wrapped up, on the ground and pushed it to her, “I won’t hurt you.”

Quicker than the eye could see, her hand darted forward and grabbed the food. She began to devour it with such force that Lance’s heart broke.

“Lance what are you looking at?”

Hunk rounded the corner as well and when he saw the kid he shook his head.

“Nope, no, we’re not doing this.”

“Doing what?” Lance asked, “Feeding a starving kid?”

“We’re not taking it home.”

Lance rolled his eyes. He knew that much. He reached out a hand and the little girl jerked back. Lance held as still as possible and slowly, antenna twitching, she leaned forward.

“How about you show me where you live?” Lance asked, “We have some time to spare, let’s get you home.”

She reached out and touched his hand.

“See,” Lance grinned, “no danger-”

“They found it!”

The girl was gone in a blink. Two Hunters ran toward them. Hunk got out of their way, but Lance, irritated, leaned back and stuck his foot out.

Down went both of them in a tangle of legs and curses.

“What are you doing?” Hunk hissed grabbing him and pulling him up.

“Me?” Lance was taken aback. Why were his actions the ones in question?

“You fool!”

The Hunters had gotten to their feet and were furious. They towered over Lance, barring down on him.

“You let the Dradite get away!”

“You said Dradites were red,” Lance countered, “She was purple. There’s a difference, did you know?”

“Half breeds also need to be exterminated,” the other one stipulated, “the Dradite blood can not survive if there is to be any peace.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Lance scoffed, “You really think the killing of children is going to bring peace?!”

“We have to go,” Hunk said, trying to pull Lance away, “really, Shiro will get mad if we’re late.”

“You are of the weak minded,” the first Hunter said, folding his arms, “easily susceptible to Dradite influence. I shall report this. Any more interference from you and precautionary measures will be taken.”

They walked away, but Lance wasn’t about to let them have the last word.

“You know its always the bad guys and villains that use the term ‘fool’!”

()

“Why is this a problem?” Shiro complained to the table. Hunk waited for everyone to go to bed before approaching Shiro and Allura and telling them what had happened.

“We assumed he got attached to the first one because he missed his family, but now…”

“I didn’t see the alien do anything,” Hunk said, “but then I got there a little late…”

“You’re fine, Hunk,” Shiro said, “You did good. Anyone would have had a problem and you handled it well.”

“But,” Hunk bit his lip, “did you really do the right thing? I mean…”

“Are we really on the right side of this fight?” Shiro finished, “I have no idea.”

“Told you we should have handled it ourselves,” Allura muttered.

()

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going to that Hunters meeting with you,” Lance said adjusting his gloves, “I’ve got a bit of a bone to pick.”

Shiro mentally prayed to every Shinto shrine he could remember.

“There will be no 'bone picking’,” he said, “Allura and I are attending the meeting as a sign of good faith. If you start an argument it will undo everything we’ve managed to build with these guys.”

“That might be a good thing,” Lance countered, “I really don’t like these guys. And I mean, I like Lotor more…that’s how much I really don’t like them.”

“Now is not the time to address any grievances,” Shiro explained, “we can address those later.”

Lance thought for a moment till he shrugged, “Fine.”

He turned around and walked out.

()

Lance scouted the back alleyways. He was sure, now, that the little girl had no place to live. She would be out in the open and easy pickings. “Later” might be “too late” for this one. The least he could do was help her survive until they were able to change things.

Something clattered behind him and he turned sharply to find the little girl panting slightly, wide eyed.

“There you are,” Lance grinned, “are you-”

“It won’t hide this time!”

Lance, in three long strides, placed himself in front of the child and raised his bayard so that when the Hunters rounded the corner they came face to face with the business end of his gun.

“You!”

“What can I say,” Lance shrugged, “I’ve never been very smart.”

((((((((((())))))))))

BACK - NEXT

[lancey-hance]

Oml!! I loved this so much and I wish there was more but I’m excited for your other fics too!!

Nano Story - Lies pt24

They waved as Greg and his crew set off.

“He’s gonna be ok, right?” Pidge asked and Allura shrugged.

“I have no idea.”

()

Later that week, Lance was making his way through the corridors when he ran into Ryan for the first time since they’d been captured together.

Ryan glowered at him. Lance ignored him.

“I wish Jordan and shot you better,” Ryan said before Lance could safely walk away.

“You know, a rather disturbing part of me wishes that too sometimes?” Lance replied, turning around to face the other boy.

“This is all your fault!”

Lance knew it was pointless to argue.  So he just shook his head and turned back to walk away.  Then he remembered something.  

Turning back to face Ryan again he said, “I’ll need my communicator back, if you don’t mind.  I’ve got some personal things on there.  I’m sure you all looked through it, but I still need them.”

Ryan flipped Lance off and walked away.

Lance sighed and took a detour to the lab.  He’d use Pidges computer to send Brad an email.  He really needed his Communicator back.

()

“But they work now!”

“No.”

“Common~ Laaaance~  Pleeeaaaase~?”

“Not on your life.”

Pidge pouted and turned her doe eyes on him, “but we built it ourselves.”

“yeah,” Lance said, “I’m not getting back inside those pods.  You can not pay me enough to do so!”

“But we’re not offering pay,” Hunk said putting his head next to Pidges, his chin resting on her shoulder as he mimicked her pouty look, “we’re offering out hard work and devotion.”

“Just because you times that look by two doesn’t mean I’ll change my mind,” Lance snapped.

“Plan B,” Pidge said and reached out, grabbing Lances arm.  She held on, looking up at him with her pout.  Hunk took the other side, hugging Lance around the shoulders and rubbing his cheek against Lances cheek.

“Plllleeeeaaaaasssseeeee~”

“Noooooooo~”

For as long as they held out ‘please’, lance held out ‘no’.  

They were in Hanger 2, Lance was doing his best to get back to work as normal.  Hunk and Pidge had other ideas.  They had tested out their Spec Pods and found them to be perfect. Now they wanted him to try them.

They underestimated Lances hatred for the pods after his misadventure before.

“But Lance!” Pidge released his arm to embrace his midsection as well, pinning his arms to his sides, “These pods are our brain children!  You can’t abandon them!  You’re like their uncle!  You can’t hate them!”

“Don’t even go there,” Lance scoffed, “They are not like the cats.  They aren’t sentient!”

“Give us time,” Hunk said, “we could get there eventually.”

“Aren’t there, like, countless movies that say that’s a bad idea?!”

“well…yes, but at least we’re not bringing dinosaurs back to life,” Pidge said and hunk nodded.

“Yeah, cause that would be fantastic,” Lance rolled his eyes, “lost in space with sentient robots and dinosaurs.”

“Either way, you should just avoid the kitchens,” hunk said, trying to sound wise, but there was too much laughter in his voice.

“Can I get back to work?” Lance asked, “there’s still so much to do before we can leave Olkarion.”

“Not until you test fly our-“

Gasps sounded and the trio looked to find Iverson and his cadets.  They had just come around the corner and were now whipping out their phones and taking as many pictures as they could.

Lance scowled.

“What’s this all about?”

“Ummm,” Pidge and Hunk glanced at each other and quickly let go of Lance, “Never mind that, we’re sorry…we’ll talk later.”

They ran off before Lance could say anything else.  Lance looked back to the class.  Iverson was leading them away, but so many excited faces were turned in his direction.

That was VERY different to how they acted toward him last time.

()

“Allura!” Hunk called walking onto the bridge.  She looked up from what she was doing and smiled at him.

“What is it?”

“You didn’t tell Lance about the pairing gossip?!”

Allura, her mind still on her work, had to take a moment to understand what Hunk was talking about. Then she remembered that she had been the one to tell Lance about all the rumors they’d found out about.  She’d only told him the relevant information; leaving out the pairings everyone was fond of making on the ship.

“…I didn’t think that was important,” Allura said with a shrug, “why?”

Hunk told her what had happened.

“I forget that there are literally eyes everywhere and we can’t goof off like we did before!” Hunk complained, “I mean, all of us are close!  If it was you that had been hurt, we’d all hang all over you too!”

“Thanks,” Allura said with a chuckle, “And I think this is all just something we’ll have to live with. Just do try to remember those eyes and not feed their delusions.”

Hunk sighed heavily.

()

Cassy and Jammie sat across from Lance and James.  Lance listened to their chatter and didn’t join in unless asked a specific question.

Truth be told, he was still really tired.  He couldn’t seem to get enough sleep even though he often caught himself dozing off in the middle of work!

“Hey, Lance,” James asked, “is it true that you’re dating Allura?”

Lance scowled, “noooo…not for the lack of trying, mind you, but no, we’re not dating.”

“I knew it,” Cassy said, “She’s dating Commander Shiro!”

Lance sat up a little more, “no, she’s not doing that either.  Why would you think that?”

“They would make such a perfect couple!” Cassy said, “I can’t imagine them NOT dating!”

Lance shook his head.

“I wanna know if the rumors are true that Gunderson and Garret are fighting over you,” Jamie said with a half grin, “there’s a lot of evidence that’s been going around about a love triangle between the three of you.”

Lance couldn’t hide the horrified look that was now plastered all over his face.

“I’ll take that as a ‘no’,” Jamie said.

()

The paladins ate dinner together again and Pidge was practically high on the success of their Spec Pods.

“These are going to give us so many options!” she exclaimed happily.  As she continued to rave on her and hunks invention, Lance couldn’t help but think about his conversation that afternoon.

Finally, Lance couldn’t hold it back any more.

“do you know what they’re saying about us in the hangers?!” he shouted, almost hysterical.  Hunk coughed on his food and Keith just raised an eyebrow.

“I’m sure they say a lot,” Allura said, “care to tell us what you heard?”

So Lance repeated the gossip he’d unluckily heard before.  As he told them, he observed that his friends were totally unphased by this.

“They’ve added some more,” Shiro sighed.

“More?!”

“Well,” Allura said, “remember when I told you we knew about all the horrible rumors that were going around about you?”

“…yeeees?”

“you see, there were also other rumors we picked up as well,” she continued, “but I didn’t say anything to you then because it wasn’t relevant to the point I was trying to make.”

Lances jaw dropped.

“How long has-“

“Since we got back,” Pidge said shoving food in her mouth, “while we were still trying to defeat Sendak. Humans are fully capable of fighting for their lives and gossiping all at the same time.”

“That’s both incredible and horrifying all at the same time,” Lance said.  Everyone agreed.

()

Shiro tapped his foot on the floor.  

Lance stared at the tapping foot as he stood, his hands clasped behind his back.

Behind Shiro stood Dr. Reem, a stubborn ‘you made me do this’ look on his face.

“Well?”

“Yeah,” Lance said, his one shoulder shrugging, “I’ve got nothin’.”

“Lance!  You said you’d told us everything!”

“I did not say that,” Lance said slowly, “I said I told you everything I could.  That’s different.”

“Lance,” Shiro growled, arms folded almost menacingly.  Lance swallowed hard.  He still hadn’t come up with a good enough lie.  Everything with the Pillons were settling, if he told on Jordan it would send ripples that he wouldn’t be able to stop.

“Shiro, do you trust me?” Lance asked.

“Not at this moment,” Shiro said, “you lied and I can see your trying to think of a lie.”

“True,” Lance said grinning to hide his nerves, “but everything is cool, I promise you.  The gun isn’t on the ship anymore…I made sure of that.”

Shiro and Lance locked gazes and finally Shiro had to concede.  He trusted Lance to know what he was doing but…

“I wish you would have told us,” he said, “this is how all those other problems started in the first place!”

Lances head shrunk slightly into his shoulders, “I know…old habits die really hard.  But everything is ok.  Cross my black heart.”

Shiros mouth twitched upward slightly and Lance knew he’d won.

“You’ll tell the others then?” Shiro asked.

“I’ll tell them at dinner tonight,” Lance said, “You’ll be there to make sure I do.”

Shiro nodded.  

()

That night, everyone took the news just as Lance had figured they would.

“Who shot you?!”

“Guns don’t work in space…”

Lance waited for them to quiet down before answering them.

“I’m not going to rat the guy out because I already handled that situation.  Its done and over with.  If I tell you then it will just kick up a lot of trouble.  Trouble I’d really like to avoid.  But everything is ok, its fine.”

“Its NOT fine!”

Lance rolled his eyes, “alright, its not ‘fine’, its chill.  So don’t go heating a matter I’ve already put on ice!”

They scowled at him and he scowled back…until he couldn’t anymore and he broke out into a grin. Seeing his normal, silly expression, the others huffed and the tension ebbed.  If Lance was ok, then that was what mattered.

()

Lance sat in his room and flipped through his Communicators storage.  Brad had gotten it to him almost two weeks after his encounter with Ryan.

Pictures and short videos of him and the other paladins while it had just been them in the castle. Back when they thought they would never see home again, even as they all hoped they would.  

Back then, he had missed home and his family.  He had worried that his parents would have to mourn both their sons, and that really wasn’t fair at all.  But now that they had made it back and things were different…not bad, just different….Lance found himself wishing things could go back to the way they used to be.

Lance laughed to himself.

Things weren’t bad. His skin was normal again, you could still see lines, but the skin was still smooth.  A little of his sisters foundation would cover that up nicely. Other than being a little narcoleptic, and a shoulder that didn’t move as well as it had before, he felt just as good as always.

The Atlas would be taking off tomorrow and Lance felt he had grounded himself well.

((((((FIN))))))))))

BACK - THE END

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AUTHOR NOTE:

HEY ALL!  I MADE IT!

50135 WORDS!

Thank you all so much for reading this story!  I loved writing it and i LOVED all of your reactions to it!  

I will be staring up Song of the Sea again after this.  Mafew might take a little longer to bring back to life.

If Lies is the first of my stories you’ve read and you’ve enjoied this story, you’ll LOVE the others i have.  I am the Langst queen.  

Love you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!  

[lancey-hance]

Oh dear!

Song of the Sea 6

“No way…”

“Yes, this is a mural we made of our darkest time,” Shak said, showing the paladins a large carving along the cliff wall that the city nestled against, “It goes on all the way to the next settlement! Everyone pitched in to help.”

But Hunk wasn’t looking at the mural as a whole.

“Um…what is this?”

He pointed to a carving of the growth process of a species that was very familiar.

“Those are the Dradites,” he said, a dark look settling on his face, “they were parasites that would destroy entire worlds. Every living thing. Only recently have we eradicated every last one of them. Which is why you’ve had so much trouble finding a planet to settle on. To keep these monsters off our planets we all refused to let anyone land in case they brought this scourge with them.”

“Don’t we have-”

Pidge slammed her foot into Keiths to make his shut up.

“how would they destroy planets?” Shiro cut in to distract and also because he was curious.

“As you can see,” Shak indicated the wall and spoke as he walked, “The Dradites fed off of emotion. Oh, they could eat and sleep like normal people, but their real meal comes from other living beings. They would sap you of your strength and when you’ve nothing left, they either eat you, or leave you to die. They’ve never once built or created anything of their own. They only stole technology and recourses from others.”

The wall depicted average sized beings with feathery antenna murdering people and stealing their things. The further they walked the more gruesome it got.

“But surly, they’re not so dangerous as babies,” Hunk laughed only to be elbowed my Keith.

“As infants is when their hypnotic abilities are their most strongest,” Shak said, “There was once a rumor that one planet took in a Dradite baby thinking they could raise it and teach it to be good. The mother ended up neglecting her own children and her own baby died because of it. They are the worst monsters from birth to adulthood.”

“Looks like you fought back pretty hard,” Shiro said nodding to the wall which was showing a war of sorts.

“We fought that war for so many years,” Shak laughed, “when they were finally eradicated we didn’t know what to do with ourselves! It was quite the conundrum as to how we would structure ourselves and our way of life in this new era of peace.”

“If there were so many of them, how do you know you got them all?” Keith asked.

“We don’t,” Shak shrugged, “which is why many of us still have closed off our planets to others. There is a group of specialized hunters that travel around and search out any remaining Dradites. Every occupied planet has at least three constantly present specialists to combat any that may pop up. Killing a Dradite is no easy task.”

“Hypothetically speaking,” Pidge said with a loose shrug, “say we see someone who’s attached to a Dradite baby…”

“Don’t kill it,” Shak said immediately.

“What?”

“I told you,” he said, “the children have a stronger hypnotic ability. If you kill that child while that other person is attached to it, then that person will never be the same again.”

“Oh…”

“Are you saying that you know of someone?” Shaks eyes widened, “I can call over a Hunter. They will know what to do.”

“No, we don’t,” Allura said, speaking for the first time and with a diplomatic smile, “Pidge is simply asking ‘what if’ questions because she, out of all of us, is the most inquisitive.”

They all stared at her in amazement. The lie came out so easily.

“However,” she continued, “we would like to talk to that Hunter. If we are going to travel and defend the universe, then we must be able to help take down every kind of threat.”

()

“Coran don’t-”

Lance closed his eyes and looked away as the baby spit up all over Corans face.

“I just fed him…” Lance was apologetic as he took the child away from a somewhat frozen ginger. Lance had gone to put the empty bottle in the kitchen and when he came back, he saw Coran trying to play with him by lifting him up in the air.

“Right, Play time does not come after feed time,” Coran muttered darkly. He’d only been trying to see what the blue paladin saw in this little thing. So far, Coran couldn’t fathom why Lance was so attached.

()

“Where’s Lance?” Shiro was on the vid-com.

“He just left to put the baby to sleep,” Coran said. He could still smell the sour milk in his mustache.

“We’re going to be another day or two,” Shiro said, “could you do us a favor?”

“But of course!”

“Send Lance out to scan the areas; which means you’re babysitting.”

Coran grimaced.

“Surly that is unnecessary?”

“There’s something we’d like to find out,” Shiro said, “Have him leave early in the morning and tell him to stay out till late, k? Hunk is on his way back right now to help you.”

“Oh, well, if I’ll have help,” Coran sighed, “I’ll tell him when he gets back.”

()

“Starting tomorrow, huh?”

“Yup,” Hunk handed over Lances plate of food, “Allura said the more we map out the more we’ll get a feel for what’s really going on.”

“Sooo, there’s a bad race that’s already on the outs and we’re volunteering to help weed out the rest?”

“In a nutshell.”

“hunk.”

“Yes?”

“What else are you not telling me?”

Hunk blinked, his eyes wide and a little too innocent.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lance rolled his eyes, “yeah, whatever.”

Lance picked at his food. It wasn’t like he was needed for anything accept baby sitting anyway. Why shouldn’t they be keeping secrets? They won’t even talk to him anymore.

He spent the evening with the baby. Even though Hunk tried to come in and talk to him, it seemed forced. Which really only irritated Lance.

“What is it you want Hunk?”

“We’ve not talked lately, I was just trying to…ya know…” Hunk struggled with words when he was nervous or hiding something. Lances irritation grew.

“No, hunk, I don’t know,” he said, unable to keep the heat form his words, “if there’s really nothing you NEED then you should leave so I can put William to sleep.”

“You named it?!”

Lance was on him in a flash, “HIM, Hunk, HIS name is William. It looks like he’s going to be here a while and he already has four teeth. You can’t have teeth and no name. He’s so small still…but I guess formula isn’t going to cut it anymore. I should blend some food tonight since I’ll be gone all day tomorrow…”

And he was gone, muttering to himself about things that needed to be done and prepped. Hunk wouldn’t be able to distract him now if he tried.

(((((())))))))))

BACK - NEXT

[lancey-hance]

Oh thank god!!

Nano Stroy - Lies pt23

The next day Keith and Shiro made their way to Sickbay.  

Pidge and Hunk were occupied with their pod experiments.  They wanted to be there for when Lance was released, but their peers raked them over the coals for being gone all the time.  Keith and Allura drew straws to see who would go with shiro and who would stay and help Iverson.

“How much do you wanna bet he’s already gone?” Shiro asked and Keith snorted.

“I’ll take that bet. Reem wouldn’t release him a minute before he’s supposed to, and where he argues with us all the time, I’ve never seen him argue with Reem.”

“Mmm,” Shiro nodded, “but this is Lance we’re talking about.”

“Should be interesting to find out who’s right.”

Chuckling, they walking through the Sickbay doors.

()

Pidge frowned at her clip board.  She glanced at Hunk for the tenth time that minute.

“Staring at me wont make it go any faster,” hunk muttered.

“Yeah, but staring at the test subjects make them nervous,” Pidge retorted.

“I wanna go as badly as you do.”

“What’s stopping us from sneaking away?”

“Just think about how Lance will react when we tell him that NOW he can try out the pods…because they’re ready.”

Pidge did think about it. And it made her grin.

“Fine.”

()

Greg sat with Allura to go after the finer point of their agreement.

“We will make it clear that your system is to be avoided at all costs,” Allura said, “however, I’ll give you a communicator in case something like this happens again.”

“I will take it to my people, but do not be surprised if they smash it and I am executed with the pirates,” Greg said as if they were discussing salad dressings.

“I hope you are not executed,” Allura said, and meant it, “you have been more than a great help to us, and your people should be proud that you have protected them so well.”

“I thank you for the respect you have shown my crew.”

“Of course,” Allura replied and smiled, “make sure you thank the Olkaries as well.  They fixed your ship so that you will get to your planet in no time.”

“Yet another thing that could have me killed,” Greg sighed, “but we must get the pirates home to face their deaths in shame.”

Allura didn’t like how the alien spoke about capitol punishment.  But this was their laws and culture.  So she smiled, and nodded, and hurried to sent them on their way.

()

“Oh my STARS! Doc!  I’ve had a shower!  I’ve changed my clothes!  I had a good-bye shot from the nurse!  I’ve gone through the whole good-bye physical!  Its five dobashes to the nearest varga!  Let!  Me! Leave~!”

Lance stood only a few feet from the door with Reem standing in between him and freedom.

“Draw?” Keith asked.

“Draw,” Shiro grinned.

They walked up to them, ready to tease lance mercilessly when both of them were shoved violently out of the way.

“Murderer!”  Brek shouted, his face almost purple with rage, “You FILTHY murderer!”

Lance took many steps back as the man advanced.  Jordan and Brad were right behind him.  On instinct, keith and shiro grabbed them and pushed their way in between them and Lance.

“Now just wait a second,” Shiro said, trying to calm the situation, “explain yourself.  You can’t just come in here and accuse someone of murder.”

“Our dad,” Brad said, “Officer Kent Pillon, didn’t show up for his meetings this morning.  We went to see if he was sick or something and we found him dead, in his room.”

“Aaaand you think this guy did it?” Keith asked, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Lance, “he’s been in Sickbay this whole time.  He’s not allowed to leave until…about…three minutes from now.”

“We know he did it,” Brek growled, “there’s no one on this ship that would!”

“Why?”

Keith and Shiro turned to Lance, who didn’t look worried at all.  He shrugged one shoulder.

“Why would I have a reason to kill Kent?”

The three brothers stood, dumbfounded.  They knew. But they couldn’t say it out loud.

“Kent was old,” Lance said, his face softening into a sympathetic expression, “I’m really sorry to hear he died. If I can help, or support you guys in any way, will you please let me know?”

The anger was indescribable; on their faces and in the air itself, Lance was the focus of all their hostility.  And Lance didn’t seem to notice, not one bit.

()

“I think we need an explanation,” Shiro said sitting across from Lance.  They got a private room that evening in the Olkaries capitol building, so they could eat dinner with just the six of them.

“If you say ‘later’, I’ll skin you,” Pidge said jabbing her fork in his direction.

“Lance muttered something under his breath and sat back from his plate. Poking at his food he tried to figure out where the best place to start was.

“Sooo,” he said, delaying as much as possible, “I had an older brother.  He got married to Elizabeth Pillon and she had twins.  After she had them, she kind of went off the deep end. Post partum depression hit her like a freight train.  My older brother tried to help her and be supportive and take care of the babies at the same time.  He lived closer to the Pillons at this time and relied on them a lot.  Even when my mom went out to help, she could only stay a few weeks.  

Then, after a few months, Beth tried to kill the babies.  My brother had gone down stairs to answer the door when a neighbor came over to check up on them.  He heard the babies start to cry so he left and went into the nursery.  Beth had Mari by the ankle in one hand and was trying to open the window with the other.  When she saw my brother she tried to swing Mari against the wall before he got to her. Good thing he was a quick thinker and was able to get there and protect Mari.  

Anyway, long story short, my brother had her institutionalized- against Janets and Kents telling him not to- and then…something happened, he never told us what, but he moved back home.  He filed a restraining order on all the Pillings and then, in their daughters place, filed for divorce before my brother could.  So they were in charge of the proceedings, but in the end, we won custody of the kids and my brother, a miracle worker, was able to get supervised visitations. They weren’t allowed near him, but he couldn’t stop them completely from seeing the grandkids.  

The courts needed him to go back to their old house to sign some final documents and all that jazz. He was gone for a few days, and he came home dead.  

Literally.

His plane came into the airport and he wasn’t breathing.”

Lance poked at his food as the others stared at him.  He thought back to the funeral and how everyone knew it had been the Pillons fault, but no one would prosecute them.  The Pillons still couldn’t see the kids without someone there, but somehow, they seemed to get the last laugh.

“I joined the garrison thinking if I got high enough in the society food chain, I could dish out a bit of payback.  Get a little bit of justice.  I’m really sorry, Hunk, and even you Pidge, I jacked the system and put us together.”

“HOW?!” Pidge shouted, “You go to copy and paste and end up deleting the file!”

“Hunk told me how,” Lance grinned and they rounded on Hunk, who looked so confused, “anyway, I used you guys to make things difficult for Ryan and Jordan and Instructor Janet.”

“…those favors you asked…” hunk said slowly thinking about all the times Lance had used the term ‘just this once’.

“All the times you wanted to leave campus and “go adventuring” was just to go use a different wifi so you wouldn’t be traced!” Pidge shouted, amazed.  Lance nodded.

“I have almost a hundred different emails,” he said, “I’d make one, send Kent about a dozen ‘I know what you did last summer’ kind of emails, and then shut it down.  I wanted them to know that I knew a lot more than they thought anyone did.  They thought that by getting rid of my brother then they got rid of the only witness. But I guessed at what had made him come home.  And I guessed right.  Amazing what a little trial and error mixed with twenty questions will get you.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Shiro asked.

Lance scratched his neck, “honestly?  When we left for Aris, I was so pissed.  All I could think of was not dying because I was not going to die before that old freak. After a while…I forgot about it.  I got wrapped up with you guys and Voltron, and defeating the Galra and protecting the universe that I didn’t think about the Pillons the whole time.  

Then we went back to Earth, and I still didn’t think about them because Sendak had this funny talent to make you forget about anything other than kicking his butt.  I didn’t remember that the Pillons were a thing until right before we left on the Atlas.  Ryan was being a pill and Jordan started to talk smack.  I threw it back in their face by getting Romell to pretend to kiss me on the cheek.  The look on their faces were hilarious, by the way.”

“She knew about all this?!” Alluras voice rose an octave in indignation.

“No, she didn’t,” Lance said, “but she did help by not asking any questions.  After a while she also found the reactions hilarious, so it became a joke between us.  And who am I to say no to a kiss on the cheek from a lovely lady?”

“Of course,” they chorused rolling their eyes.  Typical Lance.

“Did you kill him?” Keith asked into the new silence.  He was talking about Kent.  Lance didn’t look up, and when he did, he was calm.

“Kent committed suicide,” Lance said seriously, “he should not have played with a Cuban, when death was on the line.  There is a reason I and my family have gotten as far as we have.  After what happened to my brother I made it my goal to become immune to as many poisons as possible.  My hand did not kill Kent.  But I didn’t stop him when he drank out of my can of soda.”

Lance had swapped them in the middle of their conversation.  Kent had put his can down and Lance had done the same.  He even let Kent pick up a can first, and when he saw Kent take the wrong one, he didn’t stop him.

()

They dressed Kents body and sent it back with Jordan and another officer as escort.  They would come back with a replacement officer to take his place.

Brad and Brek were silent, but continued to be hostile.  Ryan was a mess, behaving as one would expect a child who had lost his father would.  

Lance found Cassy and James and explained that they were off the hook.  He explained, not everything, but enough for them to know that they were safe and that if anything else happened from then on, then they were to come straight to him or the rest of the team.  

“We told them,” James said, “we told them talking does no good.”

“No,” Lance said, “it really doesn’t.  But thanks. It helped me out.”

“And that’s what’s important,” Cassy said sticking her tongue out at James.

()

Brad hissed as he slammed his locker shut.  It had been a long day.  A very long day.  He had just gotten word that they had arrived on Earth.  He had let Ryan talk with their mom and let Brek go after the kid was done.  Brad would call them later.  He had to settle his own feelings first.  He couldn’t face his mother like this.

As he walked into his room, he didn’t expect to find McClain sitting at his desk.

“What do you want?” he growled, “you looking for another bullet?”

“I didn’t tell them about Jordans…violation of a truce, that was his idea by the way.  I’ve not come up with a good lie about where the bullet would came from, so I’ve been dancing around it, but I’ll come up with something. That’s not why I’m here.”

“Then spill.”

“I’m here cause I wanted to tell you that Kent asked me what we would have to do to fix things between our families.  I basically told him to make it even.  Then he tried to off me, but drank the wrong can.  I’m not going to lie, like all of you did for all these years, you see, I’m not sad he’s gone.  That anger and pain you’re feeling?  We’ve felt it everyday, and then you all had the gal to pity us and ask us if we needed your help…I’ve plotted every one of your deaths over and over again.  But we’re even now.  One death per family all caused by Kents hand.  So, the question is, will it end here?  Or will you make a move?”

Brad threw his uniform jacket onto his bed and sat on it.  

“I’ve not made up my mind, yet.”

Lance shrugged his one shoulder, “I’ve noticed.”

“I can’t speak for how my brothers will react.”

“Ah, your brothers,” Lance nodded and sighed, “You’re sisters are a piece of mental work all by themselves.  You, the oldest, were your fathers right hand man.  You are successful and have your own money and are fully capable of standing on your own two feet.  Now your brothers, heh, there’s Brek, constantly mooching off your parents and couldn’t find his own nose if he had a mirror.  Then you have Jordan, never finishes what he starts, a jokester in his own right, a pervert or worse, but he is fiercely loyal to his family.  He would go to any lengths to side with any member of his family even the ones he doesn’t like.  Then there’s little baby Ryan.  Little, spoiled, baby Ryan.  None of you like him very much, but he still is the baby, and family.  But Ryan always get’s his way.  None of you have ever really had opposition in life. Everything just…worked out for you, didn’t it?”

“You forgot Cory,” Brad said through clenched teeth.

“No I didn’t,” Lance shrugged, “Cory is the only sane member of your family.  He got out of that house the moment it was legal for him to do so. He married a wonderful woman who keeps the crazy all you Pillons are capable of at bay.  They have three well behaved kids.  Cory is the only Pillon I didn’t think about killing.”

“So you got us all pegged,” Brad huffed, “how is this supposed to convince me to back off?”

“How well do you know me?” Lance asked.  Brad scowled.

“What?”

“You’re planning revenge? You’ve really got to know your enemy. Not one of your brothers can take Kents place.  You could, however.  You are the only potential threat I see.  I don’t doubt you could get to know me like I know your family, Brad, but it will take time. Time you don’t have.”

Brad stood and bent over Lance.

“You watch it.”

“I’ve been watching, Brad,” Lance said calmly, “being your fathers right hand must’ve really taxed you. You looked for any kind of release. Spiking an already spiked drink is never a good idea if you want a long and healthy life.”

“I hate you…I hated your brother…I hate you all…”

“The feeling is mutual, I assure you,” Lance said waving the issue aside, “but I really need to know if you plan on acting on that hatred.  It would be a waist of your short time, but in the spirit of laying ones cards on the table, I believe we can come to an arrangement were both our families can be at peace.”

“…dad say that to you?”

“It sucks having your words thrown back in your face, doesn’t it?” Lance smiled.

Brad watched Lances face, the lines spider webbing across it were barely noticeable anymore.  

“We had nothing to do with those aliens-“

Lance sighed and rolled his eyes, “well duh, those aliens were an accident that even Kent wasn’t omnipotent enough to see.  No, you guys just planned on letting me float in space and die out there slowly.”

Brad sat back down on the bed.  He ran his hands over his face and bit back the rage that filled him.  They really had tried to get rid of McClain.  There were sins on both sides.

“Fine,” Brad said, and with that decision he felt a lead weight lift from his gut, “you’ve nothing to fear from me.”

Lance nodded, “and you nothing from me.”

((((((((())))))))

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[lancey-hance]

Oml i wasn’t prepared for that!

Nano Story - Lies pt22

“I wish to interrogate the pirate leaders by myself, if that is permissible,” Greg said, “one at a time. All the ones that acted oddly during the first one.”

Shiro and Iverson exchanged a look.  Before the could answer, Kent spoke up, “I believe at least one of us should be there.”

“I do not wish to complicate matters,” Greg replied, “I will stress my desire to do this alone, however it will be by your leave.”

“Have fun,” Shiro said.

“Kent, if you could wait outside the door?” Iverson asked, “Greg, you will knock when you are done.  Is that ok?”

“I do not think-“

“No one cares what you think right now, Kent,” Iverson sighed, “You are a diplomate on your way to a planet with a people that are very different than these.  This situation is outside your realm of influence. This is mine and commander Shiros jurisdiction, do I make myself clear, officer?”

“Very clear, Sir,” Kent said.

“I thank you,” Greg bowed by touching his temple.

()

Iverson and Shiro snuck into an adjoining room and brought up the screens.

“We didn’t tell him there were cameras, did we,” Shiro said and Iverson gave a side grin.

“Of course not.  And I was about to shove my dirty sock in Kents mouth if he’d tried to mention it.”

Shiro took another long look at Iverson.  Was it just him, or did the man suddenly lose the stick up his butt?  Or maybe it was only there at school?  Either way, Iverson was proving to not only be a good ally, but a good friend as well.

They watched the screen closely as Greg was brought the first prisoner.  Greg spoke the aliens name, and then proceeded to list his crimes, including the misuse of his Finders.

“Do you deny any of these claims?”  

The alien tilted his head, “You know,” he slurred, “…then again you don’t know…you don’t know.  It was like I was living in a rock.  But just leaving was euphoric!  And then…to taste the souls of others…you don’t know….you just don’t know…”

“That did not answer my question,” Greg replied, “Do you deny any of the claims I made against you?”

“Nope,” he said his grin splitting his head even further, “but you can add even more souls to my list. That brat wasn’t the first.  I’ll admit we were rough with him, but that was because it had been so long since we’d last eaten….have you ever truly eaten? Ever truly been full?  It’s a feeling that’s so comfortable…so…right…”

“Then you are hereby sentenced to death.  I will take you back to our capitol where you will be given a public execution.  However, you have lost all, take off your gloves,” Greg said, making sure his were in place.  He then took out a long, thin dagger from his belt.  With it he cut a small scratch into his jaw line.

The criminal went mad. He couldn’t get his gloves off fast enough as the black filliments leapt for Gregs face and the blood beading above his gray skin.

In amazement, the Commanders watched as Greg reached out, without flinching, wrapped his hands around every black thread and severed them from the criminals hands with his dagger.

The pirate screamed. He crumpled and writhed in pure agony.

Greg dropped the limp and curling filiments to the floor like they were a handful of hair he’d dug out of the shower drain.

“Next,” He called out into the hall.

()

Lance woke up to find Keith playing solitaire with his deck of cards.  They had been a gift form Willston.

“You can put the five on that six over there,” Lance said making Keith jump.

“You’re awake?!”

Lance winced, “yes, and not deft…”

“Sorry,” Keith said and an awkward silence settled over them both.  Lance used this opportunity to sit up.

This was the first time facing them in a long time.  He’d had it out with Shiro, but not the others…yet.  

“Lance-“

“I’m really sorry, Keith,” Lance said quickly, “I wanted to wait till I saw everyone, but…I know it wasn’t any of your guys fault.  I knew that, but it hurt that none of you noticed I was gone.  When I realized that I told Shiro I’d been joy-riding.  I thought I’d said it sarcastically enough, but I guess it went right over his head.  Still, I should’ve been more open and honest with all of you and I’m really sorry-“

“OH SHUT UP!” Lance gaped as Keiths face turned bright red in anger.

“Shut up!” he said again, “why do you get to apologize first?!  I was about to before you interrupted!  Seriously, what’s your problem?!  Its my fault for not checking with you about what…what’s-his-face told me.  Of course you didn’t think you could rely on us-“

“What?” Lance shot back, “you really think that spat with Ryan would actually upset me?  HA!  I’m not that weak minded!”

“We should’ve known you were gone.”

“Really?  Cause about that time you, Allura, and Shiro were hardly getting any sleep.  I bet an entire Galra fleet could’ve crossed that radar and you guys would be in a meeting. I was just apologizing for unjustly blaming you guys for that, so just take it!”

“I am!” Keith snapped, “And I’m apologizing for not being a better leader!”

Lance went from irritated to slightly panicked.  

“What kind of leader makes a member of his team think he’s not trusted?  What kind of leader allows a member of his team to just disappear like that?  To not know anything about what’s going on?”

Lance felt the weight in his gut like a cold stone.

“…Keith…I’ve not been very honest with-“

“Hunk called us brothers,” Keith said.  He was staring at his hands, “before I only saw Shiro as a brother…because he’d been the only one to actually trust me.  When Hunk called us all brothers…I didn’t know how to take it.  I didn’t…I still don’t know how actual families work.  I’ve watched Pidge with her brother, and I watched hunk and you with your siblings on Earth.”

Lance didn’t say anything. He had no idea what to say.  Keith was trying to make a point and Lance couldn’t fathom what it was.  

“What kind of brother goes to a meeting while his brother is being hurt?” Keith said thickly, his shoulders shaking and tears burning his eyes as he looked up and glared at Lance, “If we’re brothers, then why are you there, and I’m here?!  I’m older than you, damnit!  Why wasn’t I there?!  Why wasn’t I there to protect my brother?!  Why are you hurt and I’m…I’m just sitting here!”

“Hey-“

“DAMNIT! Why wasn’t I there?!”

“Hey!”

“You guys are the only family I have and it almost got broken again and-“

Lance wrapped his arms around Keith and held him as he cried.  

“I think,” Lance said, trying humor on for size, “the main question is, ‘what kind of older brother starts sobbing in front of the younger brother’, no?”

Keith pulled back and glared.

Too soon.

()

Getting through all the awkwardness with the others was an all day process helped along with Hunks over the top display of affection and a healthy smattering of insults between Keith and Lance.  Pidge looked a little disappointed.  She’d spent the last few day reminding everyone to let Lance have it so she could be the nice one.  But it hadn’t worked out.  So she, instead, commanded the spot on his bed  between him and the wall.  Hunk claimed his other side, and Allura sat at the end of the bed.

They talked about nothing, just useless chatter until Reem came in and told them that visiting hours were over.

Reem waited for the door to shut before turning to Lance.

“Well?”

“I’ll tell them myself,” Lance sighed, “promise.  Just let us…ease into it…k?”

Reem scoffed, “you don’t ‘ease’ into a conversation like that.”

“Not for the lack of trying, Doc,” Lance said, “let me do this.  I promised, didn’t i?”

“You did,” Reem said, “And to make sure, Willston is coming to see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I figured I’d be seeing him again.”

Reem smiled, “get some sleep.”

()

“It was…something,” Iverson said as Lances jaw dropped.  Shiro had just finished telling him about Gregs ‘interrogation’ and what the status was on the pirates.  

“Apparently those finder-thingies are a vital part of their body,” Shiro said, “having them cut off is about the same as being mutilated.”

“He only cut off those that had ‘misused’ them,” Iverson said, “three in total.  The rest can retain theirs but will still be executed.”

Lance nodded.  He felt no sympathy for them.  Not even a little.

“Greg would like to know if that is alright with you,” Shiro asked, “is there anything else you would like to have done?”

Lance shook his head, “nope. Their punishment by their law is fine with me.”

Shiro reached over and ruffled his hair, “Com us if you need anything, alright?”

“I’ll ask the Doc to,” Lance said, “I still can’t find my Com unit.”

“Where did you leave it last?”

“In Hanger 1,” Lance answered, “before I…before the first time…”

“Got it,” Shiro nodded, “I’ll look around and see what I can find.”

“Probably in Hanger 2,” Lance grinned and Shiro frowned.

“What’s wrong with Hanger 2?”

Lance laughed, “seriously, you guys need to get out more!”

()

Pidge made her way to Hanger 3 to talk to Jacobs and find out who she could steal to test out their Spec Pods.  On her way she ran into Cassy.

“Hi,” Pidge grinned, “how are you-“

Cass just pushed past without looking.  Frowning, Pidge continued on.  She had thought she was better with people…guess not.

()

“It was crazy!” Hunk exclaimed.  He and Allura were trying to explain what had happened when they had left after Red.

“So much happened in such a small amount of time,” Allura nodded, “It felt like quintants.”

“It was quintants.”

“I mean longer quintants,” Allura stressed, “I thought we’d be on that Balmera forever!”

“But these guys, Greg’s ship, they checked out?”  Lance asked. He was curious about this Greg guy, but was told by Shiro that that was never going to happen.

“Yeah,” Hunk shrugged, “they were annoying, and their tech, although advanced and awesome, was not being used correctly, or even to its fullest extent!  Pidge and I felt like MacGyver trying to get that ship to go a decent speed!”

They laughed now.  Now that everyone was safe and things were going to be ok.

“Hey!” Pidge flung the door open, “I thought I told you guys to wait for me!”

“Did you get an volunteers?” Hunk asked, ignoring her accusations.

“Two,” she said, “I asked Cassy and her cousin, but they practically ran away from me.”

“Guess they really want nothing to do with us,” Allura said, and when Lance gave her a questioning look she reminded him of their talk with them.  

“That’s riiight,” Lance nodded, “yeah, you might want to really see if they’re ok though.”

“Ok,” Hunk shrugged, “but why?”

“Just a hunch,” Lance said, “James and Cassy are good people.  They wouldn’t avoid you like that unless someone was on their tail.”

Allura squinted at him, “care to let us in on WHO that might be?”

“…not yet,” Lance said, “if you haven’t guessed yet-“

“The Pillons,” the three of them chorused.  Lance raised both eyebrows.

“So you know?”

“We know they really don’t like you,” Hunk said.

“And we know they give us the creeps,” Pidge said.

“But other than that, we don’t know,” Allura said with a sigh, “until SOMEONE gives us something to go on, we can’t punish them for being creepy.”

“You can’t punish them with what I’ve got either,” Lance shrugged.

“Which iiiiiisssss….”

“Later,” Lance said, “I promise.  I just need to get my stuff together and then I’ll spill my guts.”

The three of them scowled at him and he shrunk under their gazes.

()

Later, at night, Kent visited Lance once more.  This time he brought two cans of soda.

“Cheers,” Lance said holding up his can.

“Cheers,” Kent nodded holding up his own.

They drank and sat in silence for a while.

“I hear you will be discharged tomorrow.  Congratulations.”

“Oh, shucks,” Lance sighed, “you are too kind.”

“That tone is highly unnecessary,” Kent said, taking another sip.

“Oh, but it is,” Lance said, and downed his drink, “so who are we pinning this on?”

“Pardon?”

Lance laughed, “Please, Kent.  Carbon and sugar only do so much.  You wont take the fall for my death, you coward.  Who are you going to throw under the bus?  Is it Cassy?  Or her cousin James?  I know you got to them, though no one knows its you.  If I’m about to die, foaming at the mouth, you owe me a story.”

Kent didn’t say anything and drank his soda.  Lance took a deep breath and ran his tongue over the roof of his mouth; tasting the bitter after taste of poison in the soda.

“You will not foam at the mouth,” Kent said after a time, “you will simply sleep and not wake up.”

“mmmm, learned your lesson with the last time you poisoned a member of my family,” Lance yawned, “man, it has been a long day.”

“The Harris kids will take the fall,” Kent drank the rest of his soda, “they should not have stolen your com device.  They should not have lied and driven the wedge deeper and deeper between our relations. It was a very selfish thing for them to do.”

“Oh, very selfish,” Lance nodded in complete agreement, “how dare they use my communicator to spy on my teammates and friends.  How dare they presume to see my friends, as their friends.   How foolish.”

Kent and Lance locked eyes. Then Kent stood.

“Good night, Lance,” he said opening the door, “please say hello to your brother for me?”

Lance just smiled, and waved.

(((((((((()))))))))))

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