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luna-is-a-main-now · 5 years ago

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See You Again, Chapter 5

Lance was up long before sunrise the next day; he was ready to end this, no matter what. Today was the day he got back to his team. The previous weeks he had been planning this down to the last detail, and he had memorized the schedule of the base’s inhabitants. He knew where his entrances and exits were. He didn’t have a solid floor plan, but that was normally intel that Pidge provided, and Lance didn’t exactly have access to that this time. Not that it mattered too terribly much, even though it would have helped his plan considerably. Lance had always excelled at improvising. Well, he thought so, anyway. Looks like he was about to find out, one way or another.

Using the cover of the darkness provided by the lack of a sun and the shadows cast by nearby buildings, Lance snuck up as close to the base as he could. Right on time, the guards out front began to file back inside, and Lance knew that he had about thirty minutes to get in before the next guard shift started. Hoisting a bag of explosives he had been buying and stockpiling from the various black markets around town while he asked around for the rebel groups, not that he had much luck, Lance scurried into the base on silent feet. The halls were dead and empty, devoid even of droids and sentries. It was the dead hour, when the guards between shifts were all doing paperwork or getting prepared for their shift and the mechanical lookouts were getting charged and assessed for any repairs or updates they may need. If Lance was fast enough, sneaky enough, no one would even know he had been here until it was far too late.

Lance ran further into the base, and when he got to what he believed was the center, or at least close to it, he placed his first bomb, concealing it under a control desk that had been abandoned when the night shift ended. Quickly, Lance made his way through the base, going towards the exit while hiding bombs on every load bearing wall or important machinery he could find. He wanted nothing to be left of this base when he flipped the switch, no doubt that he had completed this stupid quest. When he had used up all his explosives, he tossed the bag in a random corridor and held the detonator in one hand and his bayard in the other and booked it towards his nearest exit. He knew he was running out of time.

He was only steps from the exit when the morning shift started; guards and sentries started pouring out of the rooms, and he was instantly spotted. Lance cursed and took off at a faster sprint, alarms blaring and guards chasing him down, shouting frantic orders to each other. When he had gotten about fifty yards from the base, not nearly as far as he had wanted to be but he decided it would have to do, Lance hit the detonator, and a boom echoed across the area as the base exploded from many points all at once. The blast’s shockwave was so strong that it still knocked Lance off his feet from that distance, sending him tumbling head over heels painfully.

The impact left everything blurry and muted, and Lance was very disoriented. All he could make out was that the sentries had been fried in the blast, but the guards that were chasing him were already recovering, and they looked pissed even with the blurry haze that was Lance’s vision. He saw the blurry shape of one coming right after him, practically running at him like a bear ready to tear his throat out, and he scrambled backwards, desperately trying to stand, but his legs would not cooperate. He watched helplessly as the large purple blur stalked closer to him. Until a large red blur mowed him down with a ferocious roar that Lance could feel reverberating in his chest.

Lance blinked and suddenly, he saw the blurry face of Keith above him. Keith gently lifted him and threw back his hood, despite Lance’s jumbled protests and weak excuses. Keith was saying something, but Lance couldn’t hear him. He was muffled, and his ears wouldn’t stop ringing. Lance couldn’t be sure if it was the blast, the roar, or just his brain going crazy that caused it. All he knew is that he kept saying one thing, like a prayer or a mantra of some sort.

“Keith. You came for me. Oh my god you came for me. You’re here, Keith, you’re here.” Lance choked on the words and lifted a hand up to Keith’s face. “You’re real, right? I’m not dreaming? I’m not dead again, am I? This would really suck if I was dead again, you would not believe how dull and crappy the afterlife is.” Keith’s breathless chuckle crashed into Lance like a freight train, and he knew that he would do anything for him, as long as he could hear Keith’s laugh again.

“Only you would complain about the afterlife being shitty.” Keith reached down and placed a hand on Lance’s face as well. “Yeah, sharpshooter, I’m real. You’re alive.” Keith’s voice cracked.

“Oh that’s good. Are the galra gone? My quest was to liberate this planet, alone. Did I do it before you got to me?” Lance interrogated him, searching his eyes. “I didn’t get a chance to look. My vision is kinda blurry; I got knocked around pretty hard by that blast.” Lance admitted.

“Yeah, Lance. The others are telling me that the base is completely demolished. Not a single galra left in sight. You did it, and in the most reckless Lance way possible, didn’t you?” Keith chuckled.

“Nah, I took the idea of blowing the place up from your handbook, Samurai.” Lance smirked at Keith widely. “Shoot first, ask questions later. That’s kinda your thing, isn’t it?” Keith smiled at Lance so gently that Lance thought his heart might just burst and he would melt right there in Keith’s arms. That was a fate he could live with.

“Yeah, maybe.” Keith admitted. “But you can’t deny you’ve always been a bit reckless, too.” Lance laughed loudly at that; Keith was in no way wrong in that account.

“LANCE!” Lance flinched as he heard the bellowing voice of Pidge, seconds before he was buried under her smaller form as she tackle-hugged him. “Oh my god, it’s really you, you’re back, you’re alive!” She cried as she looked over him, as if checking again and again that he was indeed real.

“Glad to have you back, buddy.” Hunk sniffled, barely holding back tears. Then all at once he picked Lance up in a big bear hug and just let his happy tears flow. Lance couldn’t even blame him; he felt like crying too. He had been wanting a hug from his friends for so long and now, he was finally getting them.

“Good to see you, Lance. I’m… I’m really glad you’re back, safe and sound.” Shiro smiled at Lance and patted him on the back, because Hunk was still bear hugging him and it didn’t look like he was letting go anytime soon. Lance was okay with that though.

“Good having you back to your old self, my boy. You’ll have to tell me everything once we all get some well needed rest! I’m sure it’s a thrilling tale that could rival some of my own!” Coran called, gesturing wildly, and Lance was pleased to see the older Altean so excited and happy. He would definitely tell him everything, and maybe he’d exaggerate just a bit to see Coran excited to hear and learn about something new and crazy all at once. He could tell from the bags under his eyes that he desperately needed it.

Lance looked behind the older Altean and saw Allura standing there, a big grin on her face as tears welled up in her eyes. Lance slowly pulled a protesting Hunk off of him, and turned towards the princess. Allura walked up to him slowly, hesitantly, as if she thought that if she got too close, Lance would disappear.

“You made it back. Oh, Lance, I’m so glad it was you we found. I’m so glad you’re okay.” Allura drew him in to a friendly hug, and buried her face into Lance’s shoulder, trying to hide her tears. “I was so afraid that it wouldn’t be you, that we had lost you forever.” Lance brought his arms up and returned the hug tightly.

“No, it’s me. I’m okay guys. I’m here, and I promise you I’m staying for good this time.” Lance swore as he looked at them all in the eyes in turn. His vision had cleared by now, and he never wanted to stop looking at them, at his family. He also wanted them to see he was completely serious, that he really wasn’t going anywhere. He refused to be separated from his family ever again. That was a promise he planned to keep for forever, no matter the cost.

“Good. You better stay.” Keith commented, in an almost threatening tone as he crossed his arms stubbornly. Lance couldn’t help but smile; this is what he missed. His team. His friends. His family.

“I will.” Lance promised vehemently. “For now though, let’s go home. To the castle. I’ve missed my bed. Oh! And Blue! I haven’t seen her in too long. How has she been without me?” Lance questioned them, even though he knew the answer already.

“She’s been completely unresponsive, but I’m sure she’ll be up and right as rain when you go to see her!” Coran called cheerily.

“Yes, she will be happy to see her paladin back alive and well. First though, you’re going to the medbay. You’ll need to be checked up just in case, if only to put my mind at ease that you really are okay.” Allura commented firmly and Lance sighed in agreement.

“Fineee. Not too much poking and prodding though, okay? After the month I've had, I need some heavy sleep in my own bed ASAP.” Lance replied with a small smile. “Besides, I'm okay. I promise.”

“I believe you, but still best to be safe than sorry. Now, let’s go home, shall we?” She smiled at him, and Lance smiled back.

“Yes please, I miss that place. And all of you.” Lance commented, and looked at them each in turn, ending on Keith with a pointed smirk. Keith could only manage to look away with a small smile, before he walked up and grabbed a hold of Lance’s hand, and wordlessly led him towards the Red Lion. As soon as they were in the control room, Keith engulfed Lance in the biggest hug he’d gotten, and Lance even stumbled back a few steps from the sheer force of the impact Keith made when he barreled into him.

Lance didn’t wait a second before wrapping Keith up in a hug just as tight and secure back. In almost perfect unison, they both took a deep breath, and relaxed considerably. Both of their exhales were shaky and delicate, like the people they had come from were glass and on the verge of shattering.

“You're alive.” Keith murmured into his shoulder shakily. “Oh my god, Lance, you’re alive.”

“Yeah, I’m alive. Can’t get rid of me that easy, apparently. Guess even the dead guys didn’t want me around quite yet. They weren’t ready to deal with Loverboy Lance, best sharpshooter of all time!” Lance exaggerated for effect, and was absolutely elated to hear the shaky giggle that escaped Keith’s mouth. It was breathy too, like he had tried holding it back but it just had to escape all in one breath. Keith looked up at him with soft, shining eyes.

“Good. I wasn’t ready to give you up just yet. They’re just gonna have to wait.” Keith smirked, and reached up to push a lock of Lance’s hair behind his ear. “Your hair got longer while you were gone. You look tired, too. How are you doing?” He asked quietly in gentle concern.

“I’m doing wonderfully, now at least. You’re here. I’m going home to you, the castle, the team. I survived whatever shit show this was. I’m great.” Lance answered honestly with a soft smile that Keith returned in an instant. They sat down on the floor together, letting Red fly herself to the castle, and the two just held each other while they soaked up and processed the events that had led them here. Lance was beyond thrilled to be here with Keith, and ecstatic to be going back where he’d spend so much more time with him and the rest of his team from now on.

As soon as the lion landed, Lance couldn’t help but run. He wanted to see Blue first. He had been reunited with his team, yes, and he would revel in that in just a bit, but he missed Blue too. Blue was like his best friend, she knew everything about Lance and what he felt and thought because he talked to her regularly. Not to mention the lion could literally read his mind if she so pleased. Not that that mattered much to Lance. He just wanted to see her. He missed her too, so much.

When Lance finally got to her hangar doors, a thick sense of apprehension and dread made him pause just before the doors. He shook his head and shoved the strange feeling down before shoving the doors open and running into the hangar. There Blue sat, just like she had when they first found her. However, unlike last time, when Lance went up and touched the particle barrier, Blue didn’t react. Her eyes didn’t even do so much as light up. No purrs, rumbles, sound, or movements occured at all.

“Blue?” Lance called, ignoring the doors opening again behind him. “Blue it’s me. What’s up? Why won’t you let me in?” Lance knocked gently on the barrier, but still got no response.

“That’s not good.” Keith commented as he came up to stand beside Lance. He, too, reached out to touch the particle barrier, but Blue remained still and quiet. “What do you think her problem is?” Keith turned to look at Lance, who was crestfallen. He slowly let his hand slide off the barrier and looked down.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I died in the first place. She doesn’t seem to recognize me anymore.” Lance whispered, like the words hurt him. Keith moved closer and put a gentle hand on Lance’s shoulder and turned him away from the lion, and lead him slowly out of the hangar.

“Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s only temporary. Let’s get you to the medbay before Coran has a stroke, okay? You know how he gets when we go off and ignore his advice.” Keith smirked and Lance had to smile at that.

“Yeah, you’re right. Everything will be okay now. I made it back. Blue… will recognize me again. I’ll be okay.” Lance stated, more for Keith than himself. Blue had never been so unresponsive to him. What if she was waiting for her next paladin already? A better paladin than Lance? After all, he had died. She could find someone who won’t die so easily, probably. I mean, what else could be the cause of this?

“Ah, Lance! Welcome back, my boy. Come now, sit down so I can get a proper look at you. Keith, why don’t you go and make sure Lance’s room is ready for him to go and sleep there as soon as we’re done? He must be exhausted after this trial; we all are.” Coran commented with a gentle smile as they walked in. Keith wordlessly nodded, and before he turned and left, he gave Lance a reassuring pat on the back. Well, Lance thought it was supposed to be reassuring. It came off more awkward though. Lance still appreciated the sentiment.

As soon as Lance sat down where Coran had indicated, the older Altean was fussing over him ceaselessly. Asking so many questions Lance couldn’t keep up, using various machinery, and rattling on about various things. Lance tried to listen to him, he really did, but he couldn’t get his mind off of what had happened with Blue.

“Coran?” Lance called, and the Altean paused in his movements to look at Lance inquisitively. “I went to Blue’s hangar as soon as I got here. You know, I just, I missed her. Coran, she didn’t respond to me. Like, nothing. It was like I wasn’t even there. What… what does that mean?” Lance asked hesitantly, watching Coran’s face for any indication of what he was thinking, but he was far too good at keeping a neutral thinking face for Lance to really get anything for his efforts.

“I’m not quite sure, Lance. However, your situation is a unique one. We don’t know anything except that you are alive and back home with us. That’s what is most important. The rest can be figured out in time. For now, though, you’re all good from what I can tell, but you should go get some rest. You’ve been through quite a lot.” Coran smiled at Lance kindly, and offered his hand to help Lance to his feet. Lance hesitated for only a second before taking it, and Coran hoisted him to his feet with little effort. “Do come talk to me anytime you need to, especially if you feel something is wrong, okay? We need to be sure you’re really okay after everything that has happened. After all, I don’t think we could handle losing our beloved blue paladin again.” Lance smiled brightly at Coran’s words, and quickly jumped up and tackled him in a hug.

“Thank you, Coran. Thank you for caring about me. Thank you all so much for coming to get me. I…” Lance’s voice cracked and he couldn’t finish his sentence, but Coran seemed to understand, and patted Lance’s back as he hugged the paladin back.

“No need to thank me, Lance. We’re family. I know you would have done the same for any of us. We all know that.” Coran told him gently as he rubbed Lance’s back. “You’re home now. You’re safe, Lance. I promise.”

Those were the exact words Lance needed to hear. It felt as if all the stress he had been under had finally been lifted from his shoulders and he felt so much lighter. He could finally relax. Coran was absolutely right. Lance was home. What could possibly go wrong or happen now that he was back with his family? Lance was fine, and now he finally felt safe too.

“Okay.” Lance finally stepped back with a smile. “You’re right. Thank you Coran. I’m gonna head to bed now. Goodnight!” Lance waved and Coran smiled and waved back at him as he left.

It finally hit Lance just how exhausted he was. Now that he had finally relaxed, he could feel the wear of what he had been through settling firmly into his bones. He couldn’t wait to get some sleep. He sure as hell needed a long time to just be able to sleep and recover, and knowing he now had that and with the safety of a room and his team nearby, was all extremely comforting to Lance.

However, upon entering his room, Lance faltered. Keith was still there, sitting on his bed and staring at the picture of them all on his nightstand table. Lance couldn’t help but note that Keith looked so comfortable and relaxed where he was, like he had done this many times before.

“Keith? You alright, buddy?” Keith flinched at the sound of Lance’s voice, and his head whipped over to face him, eyes wild. Seeing Lance standing there, Keith relaxed again, smiling at him, and his eyes looked so kind and soft, like violet pools and Lance wanted to let himself drown in them. God, he loved this boy.

“Yeah, I was just uh, can we… talk?” Keith looked down at the floor while he spoke, like he was worried. “Just, the least time we really talked and we were alone… well, y’know.” Keith frowned, like he wanted to get that memory out of his head.

“Can we talk in the morning?” Lance hated to ask that of him, but he knew he was too tired to absorb or process anything important, and whatever Keith wanted to talk about, Lance considered it top priority. He wanted to be fully rested and alert so he could give him his full attention. “I’m exhausted. Also…” Lance hesitated, “do you wanna stay here tonight? It’s my first night back, and I’m still kind of worried that none of this is real, so… do you mind?” Lance asked softly, smiling at Keith when his head snapped up to evaluate what Lance had said to him.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll stay. Uh, like I can go grab my bedding and sleep on the floor or-” Lance shook his head, making Keith stop talking. He walked over and climbed into his bed after shutting the light off, and patted the space next to him.

“Stay here? Please?” Keith nodded, and awkwardly laid down next to him, pulling the blankets up for both of them.

“Did you mean what you said?” Keith whispered softly in the dark after a moment of silence, like he just couldn’t hold it back anymore. “When you said you loved me too?” Lance reached out and grabbed Keith’s hand, giving it a small squeeze.

“Of course. You were also my biggest motivation in finishing that awful, idiotic quest so I could make it back.” Lance admitted, and smiled when Keith brought his hand up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back of his hand.

“Good.” He murmured, and Lance felt the bed shift as Keith finally relaxed. Lance chuckled softly.

“Get some sleep, Samurai. I’ll still be here when you wake up, promise. I’m not going anywhere ever again.” Lance whispered, and mimicked what Keith had just done to him, placing a gentle kiss on the back of Keith’s hand that was still interlocked with his own. Soon enough, Keith’s breathing evened out, and Lance was not too far behind when falling asleep.

Gray walls. Cold room. Endless, open space. Lance was back in Midpoint, he realized, and his stomach dropped as the panic crawled up his throat. He looked around frantically for Keith, for anything, hoping that this wasn’t real, but all he saw was a man sitting with his legs crossed on a big black armchair, his lean and inhuman face pulled into a dark, triumphant sneer.

“So you thought you were done? You thought you were safe? Oh, poor little paladin. You have much more to do before we release your soul.” He said, in classic monotone voice as he held up a container with a shifting blue mass. “We own your life. Now you’ll listen to us, or die.” Lance knew that voice. It was Tom, but how or why he had a face now, Lance didn’t know. He almost preferred him as a blank slate. His cocky smirk was really getting on Lance’s nerves.

“Why and how am I back here? Why are you doing this?” Lance growled. “I did your stupid quest.” Tom laughed at that, and Lance saw that he had pointed teeth, and his red eyes gleamed in a mocking way as he looked back at Lance. He twirled a length of his long, obsidian black hair before grinning smugly at Lance as he tucked the hair behind his long, pointed ears, purposely taking his sweet time to watch Lance fume. He liked this guy less and less by the second.

“Well, you technically are not actually at Midpoint. This is a dream, but make no mistake, this is very real. As for the quest? Well, the completion of it was actually akin to you signing a contract, granting us your soul. Of course, had you not done the quest, we would have killed you anyways, so you didn’t really have a choice in the matter to begin with, but to see you struggle so futilely only to sign your own life away in the process was quite entertaining.” Tom grinned. “Your next task is simple. Hurt the paladin known as Keith. You must stab him, with this blade.” Tom tossed a galran knife at Lance’s feet, and Lance recognized it as a smaller version of the one he had been stabbed with.

Before Lance could even react, he sat up in bed, gasping for breath. Keith was gone.

And in Lance’s hands, was the blade Tom had given him.

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