Lance-centric
Uh, not really langst
But it is sad
No one dies, I swear
*crossing fingers behind back*
Anyway, happy birthday to my darling
My sweet boy
So precious
He deserves all the good things

Lance stood still, silent.

He stared at the house in front of him, tears in his blue eyes. Toys scattered across the lawn, his bike leaning against the railing of the stairs leading up to the front door.

The paladin gulped taking a few hesitant steps closer. Not only were his parents old, beaten cars there, but his oldest brother's car and his sister's car was there. A cat leapt off the roof of one of the cars and bolted to hide on the other side of the house.

Lance could hear the chickens clucking and the breeze tousling his hair. His fists unclenched and unclenched as he stepped closer and closer.

The first of many tears slipped down his cheek as he took the first step up. The wooden stairs creaked as he went up. Lance gulped as he now stood in front of the wooden door. His hand hovered over the knob.

Lance trembled. He grasped the knob, slowly turning it. Chatter and laughter filled the house as he opened the door. Familiar voices alike spoke about various topics. Lance nudged aside toys he recognized, and shoes little children would wear.

A small smile curled his lips.

"Uncle Lance!" A sudden scream pulled Lance's attention away from the mess of the entryway.

Lance dropped and dropped to his knees as his niece and nephew came dashing towards him. Once they were in his arms, Lance squeezed them both tightly. "Hey, you guys!" Lance grinned, nuzzling and kissing them.

They both giggled and squirmed. Lance looked up as his siblings and parents rushed towards the entry.

"Lance!" His mother grinned. "I thought you weren't coming for another month!" She cupped his face, then embraced him. "I missed you."

The youngest of his siblings wrapped his arms around her. "I missed you, too."

He looked up ad he heard a snicker. He grinned as his brother ruffled his hair. "Danny!"

"Still a sap!" Danny stole his younger brother right from their mother's arms to squeeze him half to death. "How's the garrison treating you?"

"Iverson's an ass." He mused, then yelped as his mother hit his arm.

Danny and Olivia laughed, Olivia stealing her brother away. "You're so cute, even when you're cussing!"

Lance grinned as she noogie'd him. "Olivia! Stop it!"

His hands were then grabbed by his niece and nephew and he was dragged towards the dining room. "Abuela made dinner, uncle Lance!" His niece giggled.

He let them sit him down and make him a plate. "Here!" His nephew placed the plate in front of him.

"I guess I'll just have to dig in!" Lance reached towards the plate.

His niece screamed and ran into the kitchen. "Wait! Wait!" She bolted back, waving a fork.

Lance laughed, taking the fork. "Thank you, sweetheart." He kissed her cheek, letting her sit in his lap as he ate.

Danny sat across from him. "Mom and Olivia went outside. So, how's it really been? How's my main man?"

"Hunk's been good." Lance spoke around a mouth full of food. Danny laughed. "Our new group member, Pidge, is kinda weird. He's really small and kinda girly looking. Face is too soft to be a dude."

"Your face is soft."

"I meant facial features!" Lance snorted as his brother laughed and waved a hand. "But it's pretty cool. I like being a fighter pilot. Though, I kinda wreck the simulator every time." He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

Danny chuckled. "I don't expect anything less from my baby brother."

Lance smiled, looking up at his brother. "You're still my hero, dude. Even if I do make it into space."

The older brother softened, then slowly nodded. "And you've always been the best baby brother a guy could ask for. I'm proud of you. Also, happy birthday, man. It's nice that you could come home on such an important day."

A grin broke across Lance's face, tears in his eyes. "Thanks..."

Danny smiled. "Wake up."

Lance paused, then blinked. "What? I am awake."

Danny raised a brow. "I didn't say anything."

The younger shook his head.

"Wake up!"

"Lance, we need you!"

Lance groaned as his head throbbed. He set his niece down and stood up. "My head..."

"Please, Lance!"

The room spun, his head pounding. Lance could hear his heart best. He panted, curling his fingers in his hair.

"Lance!"

"Wake up!"

~

Lance jolted. His eyes widened, tears already running down his cheeks. His hearing was no longer blessed with the sounds of home. Screaming and blasting from enemy and ally ships were all he could hear.

"Lance!" Hunk shouted.

"I-I'm here!" Lance gasped, then gulped, wiping at his face. "What happened!?"

"You were hit with a blast of magic!" Pidge explained. "You've been out of it for ten minutes!"

"We need you, buddy!" Shiro grunted as his lion was hit.

Lance looked out to see he had drifted far from the fight. He breathed deeply. "I'm on my way, guys."

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868 words

Happy birthday, my darling Lance, baby boy.