A Klance Christmas story...
After the war, canon to events of VLD. Warning: Might be triggering with trauma, suggested assault scenes, blood and suicidal thoughts.
***

Lance's face broke into a big smile as his niece suddenly flew into his arms, her voice squealing with delight as he entered the house. Cold wind blew on his back, but gentle warmth welcomed him immediately as he shut the door right before his surprise attack.

"Uncle Lance, Uncle Lance!! Guess what I did!!", she cried her small hands clasped around his neck as she looked at him, "C'mon.. guess!!

He stumbled a bit, catching and supporting her weight as his soft beanie fell off to the floor along with his bag.

He looked into her big bright eyes before he looked up at the ceiling, pretending to think hard, "Hmmmm... lemme see here... Did you plant a giant beanstalk?"

"What? NooooOo!!", she laughed shaking her head, "Try again!!"

"Climb a tower??"

"NO!!", she giggled, "It's not a fairy tail Uncle!!"

Lance screwed up his face in confusion, "Whaddya mean? Everything I just said is totally normal!", he said squeezing the four year old girl affectionately.

She giggled more and shook her head so hard her hair came undone from its bun, "That's ridiculous Uncleeee!! Everyone knows you can't climb a secret tower! There's none to climb here in the first place!!"

"I guess you're right.", he grinned setting her down, "So I give up, what did you do?", he asked squatting down to her level.

"I made you a bayarn!! Just like you said you had!!", she squealed bouncing on her toes as she grabbed his hand, "C'mon! C'mon!!"

Lance didn't have a chance to respond before he was dragged away by his determined and strong niece, her fingers wrapped tightly around his two forefingers and thumb.

"Whoa, where you taking me??", he cried as she half marched and ran forward through the living room and hallway.

Ignoring him, she pulled him into the kitchen and forced him to sit at the table and only then did she let go in order to run to the counter and pick up a paper maché project. Setting it down with a flourish, Lance noticed the shape and blue colored paper design within the crude piece.

"Hey... you made me my bayard!!", he smiled picking it up and looking over the roughly U-shaped paper art, "It's really good!!"

She nodded importantly, "I worked hard in it Uncle Lance!! You said you missed being a paladin sometimes and I remembered that you had a bayarned, so I decided to make you one!!", she told him proudly.

Lance felt his heart warm from his thoughtful and sweet niece, her gift and pronunciation of bayard making him want to squeeze her affectionately.

"I love it Amal. It's perfect.", he said emotion creeping into his voice as he hugged her gently, "You're a really sweet girl."

He watched as she smiled at him one final time in acknowledgement before giggling and running off, probably ready to cause mischief or find her mother and give her the whole report of her good deed.

Lance smiled to himself and shook his head; kids were so troublesome but so fun and interesting to be around at the same time.

His niece reminded him of himself when he was younger. He would've no doubt been shaking his presents at her age if he had been given the chance to along with other naughty deeds like stealing cookies and bedazzling sweaters, and he knew he absolutely did when no one was looking. Lance knew without a doubt Amal would do it too once all the adults were distracted with one another. That girl was after his own heart somehow.

"Hey there nerd.", his sister greeted walking in and rubbing his hair before he could react, "Miss me?"

Lance fended her off, "Of course I didn't. Why would I miss you trying to annoy me?", he grumbled smoothing down his hair after she sat down beside him.

"Awwww don't be a Scrooge, baby shark.", she pouted, "It's the holidays."

"Well you know that I take extra careful measures to make sure my hair is perfect.", he said crossing his arms, "I might be busy on the farm but that doesn't mean appearance isn't important!" Lance then glared at her, "AND HEY, you're only older then me by two minutes!! Don't be so smug already Rachel!"

"I thought you liked sharks...", she replied innocently.

Lance sighed, "You know... having a meme twin really sucks sometimes."

"I love you too Curlyfry.", she smiled rubbing his hair again in a quick fast movement, making his hair sprout into a wavy, curly mess.

Lance gave up, his hair wasn't going to stay flat for the next few hours anyway once he met up with his parents and the rest of his family. His Dad liked roughing him up too along with almost every other sibling he had as well.

"Okay fine... my hair stays like this, but like, don't call me that. You know I hate that nickname.", he said standing up from the brightly colored wood chair.

Rachel grinned, "I make no promises...", her face then grew serious and sad looking, "I haven't seen you in a couple of years though... no one has. We've all missed you."

Lance turned away, "Yeah... I know."

"Why haven't you come to all our previous family gatherings??", she continued, "Why have you been essentially ignoring all of us??"

"I've just been recovering, thinking and reflecting a lot. I fought a war Rachel.", he said tiredly as painful flashbacks attacked him, "I needed solitude... but, I'm ready now to try again with others."

She looked at him concerned and hurt, "You didn't have to recover alone y'know... that's what family is for Lance."

"Do you know you're actually older then me by four years Rachel?? I don't know if you've noticed really, but you are.", he burst out, "Everyone has gone on at least four years past me!! And I lost at least another two naturally!! That's six years!!"

"Four... Lance what are you talking about?? I can't be older then you by that much, you know that!"

He sighed, "Well, you are. The Voltron crew along with me, we all went into a quintessence space pocket that made time fly by for us... we were gone inside it for four years apparently. We haven't aged more then a few natural minutes as that time passed in the universe... so yeah, I was gone up there for over two years in reality, not six. That was the stupid slit in space.", he then went over to the kitchen cabinet and opened it, "It's just so quiznacking stupid."

He rummaged through it and pulled out some of the fancy wine the house always kept and poured a glass.

The kitchen was quiet for a moment as Rachel tried to process what he was saying.

"I'm not mad at our family Rachel.", Lance said quietly not wanting to give off the wrong impression, "It wasn't your fault, it's not any of you. I'm... I'm mad at myself."

She looked up at him, her arms crossed tightly, "So... everyone is four years older then you."

"That's correct.", he supplied taking a sip from the glass.

"And you decided instead of trying to catch up with the rest of us, y'know after all the giant robot stuff was over, you'd stay isolated back in Cuba on your own farm never keeping in contact with like, anyone? That doesn't make any sense!! You were out there for three years Lance!! I know you were hurting but why didn't you come to us for help, to me, your sister!!"

Lance put down his wine guiltily, "I wanted to... but, but I just wasn't ready yet.
After the war, sure we all had our reunion and get together but after that small phase...", he shook his head before shakily admitting, "I have PTSD Rachel... I couldn't look at anyone of you after that victory phase w-without.."

She walked over and hugged him, her anger melting away into hurt and sympathy.

Lance hugged her back, tears brimming into his eyes. He never wanted to hurt his family, make them think he possibly didn't care about them. All he had tried to do was get better... so he wouldn't ruin good times with them because of his issues.

"This is exactly what I didn't want... I knew I'd have to explain myself. And I didn't want to get into all that.", he said into her shoulder as he broke away, "I feel like I've told you everything because it was so painful to bring up, but I know I barely told you anything."

"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to rush and tell everyone everything immediately. Besides, I invited some of your space buddies and I'm sure they can help you out.", she said giving him one final gentle squeeze, "I know it's been hard on you..."

Lance managed a tiny smile, his heart feeling heavy now his little niece wasn't distracting him and reality settled back in, "I forgot you said you invited them..."

"Well we'll see how many show up. Utah's not that hard to get to anyhow.", she smiled pouring herself a glass of wine and balancing it in hand.

"Why did you move here again?? I thought you hated snow.", he teased, "Did your smanschy architect husband convince you to finally like it?"

She gave him a look, "What do you have against Kai? He's really nice and you'd know that if you actually talked to him.", she gazed out the window, "But yes, he did help me fall in love with snow."

"Lemme guess, a perfect date or something??"

"Actually, yes. But that's a whole story I'm sure that'll bore the curl out of your hair.", she smirked, "Utah holds good memories for me, and when I'm up here I feel like I'm vacation all year long."

"It is a nice house.", he commented looking at the wooden beams overhead, "I guess I'm surprised you chose the mountains up here to settle into."

Rachel shrugged, "You and me both, but I enjoy it. Best decision I made."

Lance looked out the window quietly and watched the frozen flakes fall past it, trying to let his mind be lighter.

"You know, my daughter Amal really likes you.", she said looking at him, "You've only been with her for two weeks of her life and you caused quite the impression."

He felt his pang at that. He knew Rachel wasn't trying to make digs about him absence, but that fact drove its way into him.

"I'm sure you've been helping with that, telling stories about the both of us when we were younger. I'm sure Dad and Mom kept her updated as well.", he replied still looking out the paned glass, "I'm not that memorable."

He heard her set down her glass, "No, she made that connection with you first. She's the one who's asked for stories about you and asked constantly to see you again, you made that impression on her on your own. She loves her uncle; she loves you. Don't cut yourself down to being so disposable Lance."

"I'm not...", he felt himself at a loss for words, "... Sorry."

"You don't need to apologize about anything. You're fine, besides the fact that you're being too hard on yourself, you're good."

Lance felt himself get frustrated and sad that she didn't understand.
How regretful he felt about staying isolated, about his own feelings toward himself, how he had failed to do a better job and always seemed to think negatively about his role in life.
He wasn't trying to get pity or sympathy, he was trying to fit in again, be a valuable piece to a puzzle he doubted he belonged in.

It was all him. Not her, not his parents or family and not his friends.
For some reason, it was him.

Lance pushed away his glass and walked out of the kitchen, not bothering to excuse himself as he headed back outside.

"Lance!", Rachel called stepping after him for a moment before he rounded the corner.

He needed time to clean up his mess before continuing to socialize. And he had to do it fast before the rest of his family arrived and possibly his old friends.

Lance swiped his beanie off the floor and slung his bag over his shoulder in one quick motion, opening the door and stepping out into the frigid air.

Snowflakes blew around him everywhere, making his nose already turn pink from the cold and his breath turn into clouds.

Holding himself tightly to lock in more warmth, he rested against the stone and log cabin wall and breathed deeply. Deep breaths to calm him down and get back in a good frame of mind.

Having and finding confidence in himself was the key if he was going to talk with other people again. He thought he had found enough of it on the plane ride and before as he procrastinated back at the farm as soon as he got the invitation. But apparently he had been wrong.

Part of him wished he had just stayed at the farm, but he knew if he continued to miss out on their get togethers the distance between them would grow too wide.

Darkness creeped onto the mountainside as the sun disappeared, throwing the evergreen trees shadows into sharp relief along with shards of orange yellow light on the snow.

The sky was pink and orange before melting into a welcome purple blue hue as a couple of cars came up the driveway.

Lance tried not to panic as he watched them arrive and grind to a halt on the concrete. This was his family or his friends, both who cared for and loved him. He was ready. He could do it.

He felt his stomach tighten as the door opened and he saw the rest of his siblings get out of the big SUV and truck.

"HEYYYY LANCEEEEEE!! What's up?!!", his brother Josh called as soon as he came out of the driver seat. He ran over to him and picked him up in a giant hug, squeezing his waist and back affectionately, "God I missed you!!"

The rest of his family was on him in a moment, hugging and talking excitedly as he was squished, jostled and hair rubbed more times then he could count. His parents were also in it along with his cousins, so a whole crowd demanded his attention.

Lance was torn between excitement, relief and anxiety.

His mother shooed everyone else out of the way, "Lance... come here primo.", she said opening her arms wide.
He smiled and obliged, hugging his mother tightly as she whispered how happy she was to see him again.

"Now then, since we're all here, we should head inside!", she said after they broke away, addressing the cheery group, "You can ask Lance questions later after we settle in! Don't pester! Shoo!! Let's go!", she waved.

Everyone laughed and started talking as they filed inside, some of them slapping Lance's back affectionately and murmuring 'welcome backs'.

After the crowd has disappeared, lance watched as his mother looked at him relieved and concerned.

His mother put her hands on her hips and looked at him, "Would you like to explain why you've been gone so long? I missed you so much and the table has never been the same without you.", she said sadly, "I know things have been crazy for you up there but why the disappearance?"

"I'm sorry Mamí, I didn't mean to make you worry.", he apologized kissing her round cheek, "I've been going through some stuff but I think I'm better now. I wanted to come before and I wasn't ready then, but this time I'll be here, don't worry."

She grabbed his hands in her, covering them like a baby bird, "Just know I'm here for you primo, I'm proud of you for being so brave..."

"I'm fine, really!", he smiled, his eyes not quite matching, no matter how hard he tried, "I'll be alright, I promise."

She sighed, her creases under her eyes showing, "Well alright then, but if there's anything.."

"Mamí, I got this.", he interrupted kindly, "You should head inside now, it's cold."

Lance went over and opened the door for her, letting her go inside as the last of the sunset faded away, letting the stars slowly wink into view. The door stayed in his hand as he watched the sky.
He then felt a gentle tug on his sleeve, his little niece looking up at him with her big sweet eyes, "Uncle Lance, are you coming inside?"

Lance looked down at her, "In just a minute Amal.", he promised warmly, "I just need a few more minutes."

She gazed at him, "Can I stay with you til' you come inside?", she asked nicely, "I want to keep you company."

"Company huh? How do you know that word?", he said amused and touched.

Amal made her way into the snow, her little boots crunching as she pulled her scarf over her chin, "Mommy uses the word a lot when Daddy has home meetings with his friends. So I know what it means.", she replied walking over to him.

Lance shut the door and picked her up, "Alright then, I guess you can stay with me.", he sighed, "But I better not get in trouble for it.", he said pinching her nose.

He was rewarded with a giggle and a hug, giving him more comfort then he thought he would've gotten from a little girl.

She then looked into his eyes, her face serious and thoughtful, "Uncle Lance... are you sad?"

He was quiet for a moment. How to explain to his niece...
"I am. I've been sad for a while now, but I've been getting better.", he replied softly.

"Why have you been so sad? Did you lose somebody?", she asked clinging onto his jacket with her mittened hands.

"Yeah, I did. I lost a lot of things a long time ago, but I also gained some good things too.", he said trying to be positive for her and honest, "I got you Amal and I got a farm and a whole field of Altean plum-blossoms. I also have a baby cow back on the farm too."

Amal looked thoughtful, "Those things sound nice... but you're still sad without the other things. Even if you have a cute cow."

Lance smiled sadly and hugged her tight, "Yeah, you're right. You're very smart, do you know that?"

"Do you like having a farm because you can grow and make things in it? Does that help you feel happy?", she asked suddenly, "I would feel happier if I grew things that helped other people and made them happy."

He looked at her startled. "Actually, yeah it does..."

"Is there anyway I help you Uncle?", she asked her eyes teary as her voice cracked, "I want you to be happy..."

He immediately cradled her close, "Awwwww Amal... don't you know you're already making me happy right now? What you're doing is so thoughtful and beyond what I thought someone your age is capable of. I couldn't be happier with the love you give me even if I tried."

He kissed her cold forehead gently and hugged her tightly, tears threatening to spill as he rocked her back and forth.

She sniffled and looked back up at him, "R-Really...?? You're happy?"

"Yeah, I'm happy.", he said smiling at her, "You've made me feel a lot better now."

Lance then looked at the windows spilling warm light through the panes and the silhouettes of their family talking and having fun together, "I think we should head back in, don't you? I'm ready now and it's looks like fun in there."

She nodded, "Yeah, let's go!! Grandma is planning on making cookies with everyone! And not just any cookies, but her Christmas churro cookies!!"

"Now that sounds delicious!! I've missed those cookies!", he agreed opening the door to the house as another car pulled up the driveway along with the ten other ones.

"Good evening! Hope we didn't keep you guys waiting.", Hunk called as he got out of the truck chuckling as he waved at them.

"Hunk??", Lance beaned running over as he set his niece down at the doorway, "Hunk!! Old buddy!!"

His friend stopped and stared at him before breaking into his signature smile, "Oh Lance!!! Wow, I didn't recognize you at first from over there!! Awwwwwww, I missed you so much!!", he got out as Lance embraced Hunk.

The two best friend hugged tightly and looked each over, "It's been years!! What've you been up to?", Hunk exclaimed as Pidge got out of the passenger seat. He then glanced at his hair, "And you got curly hair!! Who knew?"

Lance laughed rubbing said hair, "Yeah... I've always had it, just 'nother reason I keep it short.
But what about you? You got facial hair man!!", he smiled.

"Yeah, I decided to grow it out a bit.", he said going back to the car and pulling out several covered dishes in a basket, "Pidge likes it."

"Yo'.", Pidge greeted holding up her hand in greeting as Lance finally looked at her.

Lance went over and hugged her too, "Wow, you look great!! Both of you! Wait... WAIT A MINUTE.. are you guys together? And do you know if the others are coming?"

Hunk beamed and nodded as Pidge looked casual, "Yeah we're dating, have been for about a year now.", he then held her shoulder and pulled her in close, "Their pretty great."

"Yeah I didn't realize I liked him that way at first, but he's a nice guy to be around.", she smiled, "But yeah, Shiro is coming over with his husband, Romelle and Coran are driving with Axca and your sister, and Keith said he'd try to make it."

Lance felt his heart leap. All his friends... together again on this night!! He couldn't believe it how he'd just been by himself on his small farm all those years.

Well, he wasn't ALWAYS alone... he remembered feeling slightly funny, someone special kept checking in on him every now and then besides the Alteans who bought his flowers and produce.

"Don't worry, your sister is driving.", Pidge said grinning, "Coran still hasn't figured out to drive an Earth vehicle yet.", she laughed.

"I wasn't worried.", he replied looking between the two of them, drawn out of his thoughts, "I can't believe how much you've guys changed though..."

Hunk slammed the truck door shut with his free hand, "Well, we haven't changed that much Lance. We're just older with normal jobs instead of driving giant robotic cats."

Lance watched as Pidge pulled out Hunk's keys from his pocket and locked the vehicle before putting them in her own jacket pocket, "You forgot to lock the doors again Hunk, I think I'll drive us back.", she said, "But yeah, nothing's changed too much Lance. You've just gone off the grid."

"Let's not get into that...", Lance interjected as he saw his niece watching them from the corner of his eye, "Amal is waiting for me to come inside to help make cookies. So you guys are just in time."

"Cookies huh? Sounds fun!", Hunk said walking towards the door as Pidge and Lance followed.

Lance went over to Amal as she watched the two come over, her face still half hidden in her red scarf, "Let's go make those cookies!", he said enthusiastically.

She smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him forward as his old friends followed close behind; Hunk holding his basket of delicious dishes and Pidge with her hands in the pockets of her jacket.

"Welcome to the kitchen!!", Rachel greeted wiping her hands on her apron and offering to take Hunk's basket, "Sorry for the mess, we're all in the middle of making cookie dough."

"Nah, it's no problem, I'm just glad to be here. Thanks for the invite.", Hunk said handing it over.

"Of course!! You're my baby brother's friends, I had to!", she set the basket down on a the multicolored wood table in the corner and then glanced at her family, "I don't know how long you'll want to stay though.", she joked, "It's gets pretty hectic here with us for holidays."

Lance watched as Pidge grinned and watched their family fondly, "It's cool, you all look pretty nice and what I remember of you, you were. Rachel, right?", she asked offering a handshake.

His sister looked pleased and impressed, "Yes, it's Rachel.", she replied taking her hand, "I knew you had some nickname that sounded like a bird?"

Before he could listen to Pidge's response, Amal tugged on Lance's hand impatiently, "C'mon, c'mon! You and I need to help!"

"She's right Curlyfry.", Josh smiled dragging him over and slipping an orange apron over his head, "Start cracking."

Lance found himself at the egg station, cartons and cartons stacked in front of him as a couple of bowls stood waiting for their contents.

"Fine, I'll do it.", he said taking an egg, "Just don't call me that!"

His brother just smirked and walked away to the other side of the kitchen, waving carelessly behind him.

Laughter, noise and sugar was everywhere in the big kitchen as everyone was working at a different station at the island, counter and table. He caught Hunk eating some cookie dough and watched as Pidge elbowed him, the two fitting right in with his family.

His heart warmed seeing his friends with him here, and his smile widened thinking about how more were on the way right now as he cracked eggshells against the ceramic bowl.
He was pretty lucky that he had such strong supportive friends and family.

His mind wandered as he cracked egg after egg mindlessly, as the chatter and background music faded to a slight buzz.

Amal and her comment about him working in the farm and why... that was something most wouldn't understand, Lance thought staring into the carton. But she had, in her own little way, grasped onto the fact that he was using it to recover from the trauma of the past.
That farm has given him so much time to recollect and feel in control again. Not only that, but provide comfort to Allura's lost people, with flowers, fruits and vegetables they thought had been long lost. Also keeping her legacy and memory alive where he had been to the locals also brought him a sense of purpose.
Lance subconsciously touched his cheek, his fingers brushing the blue Altean markings left there before his old love left him forever to fix Honerva's mistakes. It made his heart pang sadly as he remembered the lions and how they had flown off into the universe after everything had been brought back to peace. Maybe they had gone back to her, or to guard Oriron or just wait for the next generation of paladins.
There was no reason for them to stay. And Lance knew that, but he couldn't help but feel he was nothing more then some random guy pulled into a crazy mess... that wasn't needed for anything more then a tool.

He shook his head and slammed his hand down onto the bowl a little harder then necessary. No, his head was lying to him again. He knew that wasn't true. He was letting his insecurity get to him and tell him he wasn't important.

Lance looked up with great effort at the smiling faces around him and felt the hole in his chest widen.

Why didn't he feel like a part of that? Why couldn't he stay with the joy everyone else felt longer then ten minutes??

He wasn't going to drag this evening down, he thought determinedly, he could do this. He could live in the moment if he tried hard enough...

Taking yet another egg and cracking it against the bowl, he focused on the snippets of conversations going around the room to distract him.

"Lance!! Uncle LANCE!!", Amal called yanking his sleeve, "Look, LOOK!!"

Lance looked at her, "Wait, what? What is it?"

"I made the dough! I made the dough, see!! I put cinnamon chips in it!", she giggled squishing the dough in her hands, "We're going to have a lot of cookies Uncle!!"

He nodded, "Yeah, we sure are going to have too have plenty... there's a lot more people coming."

Amal suddenly ran over to the kitchen doorway, shouting her hellos to the people that entered, making cookie dough fall through her clenched hands as she squished it in excitement.

"Hello paladins!!", Coran suddenly called, waving enthusiastically at Pidge, Hunk and him, "Brought the gang along we did!! My, everyone is working together so well! You ought to be yalmores at this rate!!", he said grabbing his two friends and squeezing them.

Shiro chuckled and looked embarrassed, "Coran, not everyone knows what a yalmore is."

"Then I can teach em! Maybe even do some calls!", he said while dropping the couple to the ground from his embrace.

Curtis held up a hand, one arm still holding onto Shiro's, trying to stop the oncoming call, "THAT REALLY ISN'T NECESSARY.", he put in just as Coran started yelping and hooting.

Lance suppressed a smirk as everyone just stared at the old Altean at a loss for words as he squatted and jumped around like a chimpanzee.

Amal then joined in, her giggles punctuating the alien animal's imitation calls.

"Why god... ??", he heard Shiro mutter looking up at the ceiling in embarrassment as Curtis looked like he politely wanted to throttle Coran.

"Okay, that's enough for now.", Axca said stuffing some sweetbread into Coran's wide open mouth along with the child's. She had just walked in, carrying a bag full of presents with Romelle and his sister Veronica, before taking the food and stopping the crazy noises. She then looked around the quiet room and her eyebrows furrowed, "Oh Sorry, I guess that's not acceptable for Earth customs?", she apologized looking at the quiet room.

His mother came forward, laughter in her eyes, "You're Alright child,", she said taking her hand, "It was quite amusing!", she giggled lightly.

Amal finished chewing the roll and nodded, "It's really tasty by the way! Thanks!!"

It was his niece's sweet and genuine compliment that broke the quiet, and laughter again filled the room as people were talking to the newcomers and trying the call for themselves as a joke.

"Lance my boy!! How have you been?", Coran asked coming over to him and grabbing him into an exuberant hug. 

Trying to keep his yolky hands off the man, Lance squirmed, "I'm doing fine Coran!! Could you put me down though?", he half laughed.

Coran's mustache twitched, "Of course!! Sorry 'bout that.", he said setting him back down on the ground safely. He then stared at Lance's face, his eyes focused on his markings with a wistful look, "It's been quite a while, hasn't it?"

"Umm yeah... it has. I missed you Coran; just let me wash my hands and I can say hi to everyone else and get back to you later.", he said awkwardly turning around to get to the sink. Which provided an excuse without the topic getting any farther and bringing up painful memories.

Lance pushed his way past the bodies and danced around everyone's shoes on the tiled floor until he came to the sink. After pumping some soap into his hands with the edge of his palm he turned on the water with his elbow.

As he washed his hands and freed it from the strange coating, he could see Shiro wave to him and do his signature beaming smile before his sister came over, waving to him herself.

"Hey Veronica!!", he exclaimed, happy to have the chance to talk to her now as he quickly wiped his hands on the towel. "How you've been?"

His sister smiled and hugged him right as h put the towel back, "I've been busy, but I've been doing great.", she said looking at him, "How about you though? You've been so quiet and no one really knew where you were."

As she backed up, Lance's heart went up into his throat, shock going through him as he stared at her hand.

He felt... he didn't even know...

"Y-You're enGaGEd?!", he sputtered staring at the glinting ring on her hand.

Veronica looked embarrassed, "Actually, I'm married. You were close though.", she ran a hand over the ring, "I tried to tell you but no one knew where you were, like I said earlier. I'm sorry Lance.", she smiled sadly at him.

He felt his jaw slightly open as he just stared at her ring and back at her. His big sister... married??!
And he hadn't known, because he had hidden himself away as he recovered. What an idiotic thing to do. GOD, he hated himself more then ever...

"N-No... don't be sorry. It, it was my fault. I'm sorry.", he said solemnly looking straight into her eyes, "I should've been there."

"Hey, I'm just glad you weren't kidnapped or something.", she joked hugging him again, "I'm not angry... I know you've had to deal with personal issues."

He pushed her away, "How? How are you not angry?! I just missed your wedding, haven't been in contact with you guys for three years and I've been a lousy family member to all of you!!"

"Because I forgave you Lance.", she said gently putting a hand on his arm, "And I know you... I might not be your twin, but I know my little brother."

Swallowing back his forming tears, he straightened and cleared his throat, "Well, things are going to be different. I'll try to stay in contact... I'm sorry I didn't. I must've worried you guys a lot."

"Well, yes and no. But we can talk about that later.", she replied, "But how about you ask me who the lovely person is that got my hand in marriage!!", she grinned flashing the ring.

Lance rolled his eyes and smiled with her, "Good enough; Alright then, who's the stupid guy you got so I can judge him?"

"Hey Babe! Over here!", Veronica called, throwing her head back to the side, making her bob cover half her face.

She then looked back at him, pushing her hair back behind her ear as he watched Axca press through his family.

"Here she is!! My wife.", his sister beamed as Axca stood behind her with her arms crossed looking serious.

"Sooooo... not a stupid dude. Got it.", Lance smiled nervously looking up at the tall purple alien, "She doesn't bite right?"

Axca smirked at his sister, "Nervous isn't he?", she laughed grabbing her wife's hand, "You're acting like we've never met before Lance."

"Well, I've never met you as my sister's wife and I don't know how I feel about it quite yet. You're now my sister in law and that's terrifying.", he said rubbing the back of his head.

Veronica rolled her eyes, "It's not going to be any different then how it's already been you idiot."

"How long you been together?", he managed to get out, his head still reeling over how much had changed through the years.

He watched as they looked into each other's eyes with love and affection, "Almost two years...", his sister said kissing Axca, "And it's been the best two years of my life."

"Congratulations you guys.", he put in, "I'm happy for the both of you." Then turning to the tall woman, Lance gave her a serious look, "You might've been together for a while already but that doesn't mean I still don't want to get this message across; take care of my sister with every fiber of your being. Don't leave her and love her unconditionally... I won't ever forgive you if you hurt her.", he warned before offering a hand to shake, "But past that, welcome to the family."

Axca accepted it and nodded curtly, "I'd kill myself first before ever hurting the light of my life. I promise you that.", she replied.

Lance smiled, "You're a good person and I'm glad you're with her. There's no one else better I could think of for her to share her life with forever.", he said genuinely.

He then released her hand and the two lovers went off to cut cookie dough with everyone else, leaving him standing at the kitchen sink.

He watched as Romelle and Coran were analyzing the cookie cutters and most likely trying to figure out what the reindeer one was. Shiro and Curtis were both drinking a glass of wine and making their way to the barstools in the dining room that connected to the kitchen. Pidge and Hunk were now playing with Amal, talking and bouncing her up and down as she shrieked with joy. The rest of his family was putting some trays of cookies into the oven and Christmas jazz music started playing as people baked, talked and started to file into the living room.

It was extremely homey.
And Lance smiled watching it all, feeling like he was observing the best thing on Earth.

"Hey primo, what are you doing?", his mother asked the only one in the kitchen now besides Kai and Rachel.

Lance glanced at her and put his hands in his pockets, "Just looking at everyone.", he said quietly, "Taking it all in."

She dusted her hands off and came forward, "Why don't you join everyone? You need to bond with them all."

Bond.
That single word jarred him as he realized why he didn't feel like joining his family and friends...

He didn't quite know what to do with this new information at this realization.

"I... I'm just not ready yet.", he said his voice sounding very small as he hugged himself and glanced out the window, "I haven't been around this many people at once for a very long time."

His mother looked at him thoughtfully, "Hmmmmm..."

"What is it Mamí?"

"Oh nothing. Just an old woman and her thoughts, nothing important.", she replied patting his back gently, "Are we supposed to have more guests by the way?? You've got so many friends.", she asked, "Its hard to keep track of them all since all of they are so nice and sweet to you."

Lance fought the urge to look back out the frost covered window, "Yeah, according to Pidge, Keith, y'know the one with the mullet and cheek scar, is supposed to come but I'm not waiting for him."

"I never said you were.", she replied, a small gleam in her wise eyes.

He opened his mouth and closed it, "What are you getting on at Mamí? I'm just not ready to answer a lot of questions about where I've been, and finding out about how much I've missed out on is honestly terrifying.", he huffed looking away from her face.

"You might be a grown man but you still act like a teenager.", his mother said softly, "And if you're anxious about your friend no one will judge you, but I'm sure he's alright primo. All your old teammates are very strong, just like my brave son right next to me."

Lance sighed, "Thanks Mamí, but I'm not very brave, actually I'm not... I ran away from you guys and hid from the real world."

"Oh Lance... of course you're brave!", she put her hand on his cheek and gently turned his head, "Look at me. You've been through things no one should have to and you've lost the love of your life. You've been hurt and tested in ways I could never imagine, you're braver then anyone could ever ask you to be."

He grabbed her hand and removed it from his face tiredly, "I know you think so Mamí, but I know I could've done better. I'll be fine though, like always.", he smiled sadly.

She opened her mouth to reply but the oven's timer went off, cutting her sentence short as she ran over and pulled the cookies out.

Lance took the opportunity to leave the kitchen, not quite sure where he should head. He wasn't ready to be with the big crowd, being with only a couple of people would surely get him asked uncomfortable questions and being alone would defeat the purpose of being here.

He was stuck with indecision as he stood in the wide hallway that flowed into the living room and dining room.

"Lance, hey.", Lance heard as he felt Shiro standing behind him. Turning around and taking a step back, he looked up at the white-haired man.

"Oh, hey.", he greeted back half waving.

Shiro looked at him kindly, the glass of wine still in his hand, "I missed you a lot Lance. I'm really glad to see you again, how are you doing?"

He shrugged, "I'm doing okay enough I guess, but I'm fine.", he managed a small smile, "How about you?"

"I'm doing great! Your family is a fun bunch and I'm glad I got invited. Curtis and I were able to get an excuse to kiss.", he joked motioning to the mistletoe.

Lance was relieved Shiro didn't prod or delve further into his sadness. It made him feel more relaxed and comfortable knowing he just accepted him as he was now. He smiled a little wider, "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself! You deserve to have fun and feel at home here with us."

"And so do you.", he replied with a fatherly look, "Remember that we're here for you, alright?"

He looked up at him a bit startled but nodded, "Yeah... thanks. I know you guys will."

Shiro nodded and walked back over to the bar where his husband was waiting, immediately delving back into the conversation they had previously.

Lance stood there for a moment before continuing on, making his decision to head to the living room and just observe until he was ready.

Everyone he had talked to it seemed, could feel or sense his sadness, his struggle...
Was he that obvious? That pathetic and in need of support and sympathy?? His eyes threatened to tear up once again as he stood in the corner of the loud living room which was brightly decorated with holly and lights like the rest of the house. They had all offered comfort and kind words, and as sweet as it was, he didn't want them. He wanted to be treated like there was nothing wrong with him, like he never suffered trauma and insecurity. He just wanted to feel like he had never left...

Hurt raged through him as he felt the conflict within him. Things were never going to get better if he continued like this and he stayed away.

But he was afraid that he would ruin things for his friends and for his family. The last thing he needed was to have a sudden flashback on memories that would tear him up inside all over again, making him a sorry mess.

And he knew his family and his friends would consequently trigger it eventually... which is why he had left them so long.

He didn't want to make them feel guilty.

Only one person had been able to help him through that. And as crazy as it was, it was Keith.
Keith never treated him any differently, once he had found him on the farm, he would talk to him about tactics for the Blades, the survivors of the war and make conversation on his exotic farm plants. He treated him like nothing ever happened, which is what Lance needed... without that, he would've felt more compelled to stay hidden knowing others wouldn't get it.

Which was why he probably felt a little helpless without him here at this gathering?? A weird pang went through him as he realized he wanted Keith here for that exact reason... knowing that he would feel... NORMAL.

He tucked his arms close into his chest as he felt his heart beat a little faster.

And maybe for another reason? But he couldn't get into that, couldn't even think about it.

Lance looked at his watch anxiously, wondering if it was too late to hope that he was still on his way over.
He then shook his head, Keith or no Keith to provide casual support, he had to try to making connections again.

He looked around at the chattering faces and saw Hunk. His best friend would be a good place to start... Hunk was lovable and accepting as anyone and was great at smoothing things over when he talked with a group.
Hopefully, he'd pick up on the fact that Lance just wanted to be treated normally.

Taking a deep breath he went over to the man, sitting down beside him on the couch as he playfully poked Pidge's glasses.

"What's up?", he greeted, his stomach turning as he tried to feel like his old self.

"Nothing much, just seeing how long it'll take for Pidge to go off on me.", he said his voice full of laughter as he poked her glasses again.

Pidge ignored him, continuing to talk to one of his cousins and Rachel about robots and programming.

Hunk prodded the frames again as Lance watched with a raised eyebrow, "I'm guessing you want to get her attention?", he asked crossing his arms.

"Yeah.", he replied just as Pidge looked at Lance, surprising Hunk as his hand was caught from touching the glasses again.

"I forgot to tell you Lance, I'm non-binary.", Pidge told him, pushing Hunk's hand down as he pouted, "I prefer my pronouns to be they/them."

"Oh! Okay.", he said smiling at them, privately wondering what non-binary meant, "I didn't know."

"It's fine, that's why I told you.", they replied with an understanding grin, "I mean, you're the only who who didn't figure out I wasn't just a boy back on Urasia."

He laughed, "Yeahhh... I was a bit dumb there.", he said rubbing the back of his head.

"HUNK, STOP TOUCHING MY STUFF!!", Pidge suddenly yelled causing his cousin to fall off the footrest he was sitting on.

Hunk backed off and stopped poking their glasses, "But you're ignoring me... I want to cuddle.", he pouted.

Lance held back a laugh as Pidge looked at him annoyed, "Listen Honey, I love you but I need to do more things with other people, not just you. So stop poking me and going through my phone!"

"C'mon Pidgeeeee...", he whined, poking his lip further out as his eyes twinkled with mischief.

Lance then watched as they swiped their phone back from their boyfriend's hand, "The answer is still no you big ass baby."

Rachel was looking very amused until the word 'ass' came up, "Please, Amal doesn't need to be picking that up and talking like that.", she interjected.

"What? Ass?", Pidge said turning back to her.

"Yes...", his sister replied rubbing her forehead a small smile on her lips.

Lance was having an even harder time holding back his laughter as Pidge waves her hand dismissively, "You think that's a bad word? Mr. Space-stache over there has been cursing every five minutes around your kid.", they pointed out, pointing to Coran and Amal.

"Don't worry, it's a space word.", Hunk quickly interjected as Rachel looked shocked.

Lance was now at the point he couldn't hold it back any longer as the three were talking over each other as the two tried to explain to his sister about 'quiznack'.
Fresh peals of laughter exploded from him, making him slap his hand on his thigh at the silly drama playing in front of him.

"You guys are the best!", he laughed as Rachel looked miffed, "Just the best!!"

His sister only stayed that way though for a couple of seconds, her face softening watching him smile and laugh, "Well, I'm glad you think so Curlyfry. If my daughter starts cursing it'll be up to you to break her out of it!", she smirked.

He shot her a look, "You know I hate that name!! And it won't be my fault!", he protested as Hunk was laughing now along with Pidge.

"Curlyfry??", Pidge repeated, "That's something right there."

"That's kinda cute tho', fits you if you ask me.", Hunk supplied unhelpfully, patting Lance's back, "It's a good nickname."

He groaned as his sister then ruffled his hair again, as a couple of his cousins joined in good naturally, "I'd really prefer it if you'd just leave me and my hair alone guys!", he shouted over the joking voices.

"But I was just told it's the custom around here.", Axca said as Veronica was leaning against the wall for support as she was laughing in the background, "And everyone else was doing it."

"It's not a custom. It's my family being annoying.", Lance replied dryly.

Rachel rolled her eyes, "He's just grumpy cuz he's hungry, he loves it when we mess with his hair.", she told her as Pidge was recording the whole event.

"I do not!!", he said standing up, "You guys are just mean."

His cousins Josh, Miguel, Amelia, Bryce and Alex feigned hurt as they gasped dramatically.

"Us? Being mean?? Never!!", Alex cried out.

Josh pulled on his most offended face, "We're the kindest and most considerate people out there!"

"You're definitely OUT there if you ask me.", Lance said shaking his head as his brother tossed his arm around his neck.

Pidge looked around their phone and called, "Give him a Wet Willy!!"

"WHAT?! NO!", he shouted as everyone started chanting up Pidge's suggestion.

Rachel, Shiro and Curtis who had come up to see the commotion, and a couple of his more responsible relatives were the only ones who didn't join in, as Josh smiled at Lance mischievously from his hold.

"Josh, don't do it.", his twin told him but was drowned out by the noise.

"Don't. You. Dare.", he breathed as Shiro tried to demand peace from his crazy family. A pointless but still heart warming task nonetheless.

His brother just smirked and stuck his finger into his mouth as the chanting got louder.

"GUYSSSSSS!!! C'MONNNNN!!", Lance yelled as the deed was done and he pushed away from his older brother.

The room was filled with hoots and loud cheers as people laughed and patted him on the back like he had completed some sport and gotten a medal.

It was ridiculous, but it made him happy even though the Willy didn't. It was just so... normal.
Well, normal for his crazy family anyway. And they weren't treating him like he was going to break, which was wonderful.

"That's going in the blog!", Pidge announced holding their green phone up triumphantly, "Follow me on Pi.Pidgeon666 and give me coffee money to get the link!"

"Did you just self advertise?!", he asked incredulously as the room pulled out their phones in a flurry.

"I did.", they replied smugly as Hunk looked properly embarrassed, "Jealous of my username?"

He blinked at them before breaking out into a grin, "Yeah it's a pretty awesome name. Wouldn't expect anything less of the you, that's for sure."

Rachel sighed, "Really guys...?"

"Yep, really.", Octavio said sitting down beside her, "Loosen up Rache, we were just having fun!", he said texting on his phone, "That video was legendary!"

"You're only saying that cuz you're a YouTube star.", she huffed, "And immature as fuck.", she said dropping her voice down a notch even though it was still very noisy.

The blond raised an eyebrow, "Say what you want but a good video is still a good video.", he then looked up at Lance, "Right bro?"

"Considering I was the victim of it, not really.", he said crossing his arms, "But if it weren't me, I'm sure I would enjoy it.", he laughed.

His cousin smiled, "Nice to see you aren't a bust after all!! I was afraid you were going to be a buzzkillllll just like Rache over her."

"I'm right here Octavio. Right here."

"Your point??", he asked without a beat.

Rachel looked up at Lance before rolling her eyes, "Nevermind, you wouldn't get it."

Lance smiled as he walked away from the the group, going over back to the kitchen to help his mother with the trays of food he knew that needed to be prepared by now.

Rubbing his ear as he heard Pidge calling out their username again, he approached the island and rested his arms on the cool granite.

"Need any help Mamí?", he asked entering the warm and sweet smelling room as Kai dashed around the counters preparing food with Lance's mother.

His mother smiled up at him, "That would be wonderful primo. Could you prepare the cheese and pickle plate for me like you always do?"

"Yeah, no problem.", he answered getting the fancy plate out of the cabinet and slicing the block of cheese carefully after he set it down on the island.

He then laid out the slices artfully, one atop the other in a circle as he laid the cut pickles in the middle. Making a flower like formation with the appetizers.

Lance stopped for a moment to look at his perfect plate and felt himself grow more happy and feel more at home. This plate, this action,  brought back so many fond memories for him. He had helped make this simple dish since he was five like this every year with his mother.

And she would always be proud of him for it and squish his cheek, no matter how old he was when he did it.

And tonight was no exception, as she came over and looked down at the cheese and pickle filled plate.

"Thank you so much primo, I appreciate it.", she said as she pinched his cheek fondly.

He laughed, "It's nothing Mamí, I'm happy to do it.", he beamed at her, "I've missed doing this for a long time."

"Never too old to help around the kitchen that's for sure!", Kai commented running past them to wash his hands.

"Who asked you Blueprint Boy?", Lance fired back playfully.

His mother looked at him tearfully with a joyful smile before hugging him tightly, holding him like a little kid in her arms, "Oh Lance... I love you so very much..."

"I know... and I'm lucky to have you as my mom.", he replied squeezing her back.

Right then, a horrible feeling overtook him, right in his heart and gut, overwhelming Lance as he broke away from her. Something was wrong. Horribly wrong.

"Primo? Is everything alright?", she asked alarmed seeing his startled eyes.

Lance glanced out the window and shook his head distractedly, "I got to go Mamí. I'll be back in a bit.", he said hurriedly rushing out of the kitchen.

"Lance! LANCE!! What's wrong?", his mother called distressed grabbing his arm in the hallway, running after him, "You were just enjoying yourself!"

He turned to her, letting his fear show clear on his face without any attempt to hide it, "I don't know... but I need to go. RIGHT NOW. I can't stay here Mamí!!", he said pulling out of her grip, "I'll be back before gift openings I promise.", he bade kissing her on the wrinkled cheek quickly.

His shoes clacked against the smooth expensive dark wood as he heard laughter echo behind him and opened the door to swiftly falling snow.

Snippets of music wafted over to his ears before he stepped outside, songs of good cheer and family giving him a sick sense of irony.

After zipping up his coat, shoving the beanie on his head and pulling the scarf tighter around his neck in the freezing air, Lance shut the door to the house leaving behind the warmth and sweet smells.

He immediately ran through the snow to his red truck, opening the door and climbing inside as his heart beat fast from fear and worry. Starting the ignition and backing out of the crowded driveway as quickly as he could, Lance started the wipers and made his way down the mountain.

As he drove through the challenging cold and dark road, his eyes darted over the dark trees for a sign of trouble.

He just knew... had an awful feeling that something horrible had just happened. Was maybe still happening right now!!
His stomach churned and twisted into horrible knots as anxiety bubbled inside him, making him jittery horrible feeling and giving him trouble holding onto the wheel without shaking violently.

He felt guilty letting his mother read him so easily, making her worry about him and possibly whoever was in trouble, but he knew he had to let her know in order to let him go. She wouldn't have let him leave for anything less then what he had shown, knowing he was still uneasy around his own family still from his mental issues.

And those said issues were only making him panic more, even though calm weather surrounded him and peaceful evergreen trees in a beautiful forest. But to him right now, the woods seemed to be his worst enemy, ready to spring out and attack him as his mind flashed to ambushes from the days of Voltron.

Anything could hide in there. In the dark and ready to fight.

He shook, his chest hurting from the shakiness and emotions trapped in there as he forced himself to focus on the road.

His mind wouldn't let him concentrate though. Blood filled his vision, bright red and violent as he watched screaming and contorted faces of pain of the lives he had taken. Gunshots rang through his ears as he saw the aliens through the lens and pulled the trigger of his sniper. The shock. The last breath that exhaled as they dropped from the power of the bullet. The screams and the deadly accuracy he always delivered when they fell to his blows.

Trembling, Lance barely managed to pull himself out of his dark flashback to avoid going off the side of the cliff as he swerved harshly to the left.

"OH SHIT!!!", he yelled as he slammed his foot on the breaks and shaking his head to snap him out of it.

The car screeched in protest as it was yanked around, the wheels losing grip on the icy and snowy road.
The truck scraped against the mountainside as it ran along the opposite side, making the headlights flicker as Lance tried to gain control again.

After another scary minute of controlled swerving, the truck was under his control again and came to a stop after he had gotten it to drive straight.

Breathing hard as he pushed his short hair back and taking off his hat, Lance leaned back and stared at the navy blue sky and bright full moon.

He almost died. Could've... all because of his stupid PTSD.
Cursing under his breath, he did his breathing exercise routine and put a hand over his chest, feeling it rise and fall as the vibrations of his heart was felt with shaking fingers.

He couldn't let that happen again. Not only was that a danger to himself, but to anyone else if they had been driving on the road with him. Sitting up and looking out the window, Lance looked at the hood and side of the vehicle to see how much damage it had taken.

From what he immediately observed, the truck hadn't taken on too much injury, the worst an ugly giant scuff off the slightly dented left fender and a flickering headlight.

He sighed and sat back against the polyester seat, breathing in relief at knowing he didn't just completely destroy his just paid off car.

His gut then churned again, reminding him why he was out here in the dark, risking his safety when he knew it was dangerous enough without his random flashbacks.

"Alright, you got this Lance. Just stay calm... stay calm.", he told himself as his heart threatened to beat out of control again, "You'll find whoever it is if you just stay calm."

Straightening up and shifting the gear to drive, Lance's hands froze as his eyes caught tire tracks veering into the trees off the side of the road.

His heart started beating louder as he stared at them dumbly for a minute before he threw open his car door and ran over to the edge to get a closer look as the safety belt reminder protested.

Fortunately, the drop off the side into the woods was only four feet down, and the tracks continued into the tall dark trees before disappearing from the headlight's view.
It was still worrying, but at least there wasn't a devastating wreck and a forty foot drop off the mountainside.

Lance hurried back over to the truck after looking at the scene and turned it off after locking the breaks. Taking his keys and an emergency med-kit, he shut the door and jogged down to the woods below.

Again beating himself up internally over not getting a phone after he had isolated himself, now having no way to call for emergency backup or help, Lance took the flashlight out of the med-kit and followed the tracks on his own in the cold.

He heard his heart get decidedly louder as he was left in the semi-dark armed with nothing but his own fists as he made his way into the trees. But he was also filled with a sense of purpose. Someone needed him.
Whoever was in trouble was probably unconscious and couldn't call for help, which Lance couldn't do either, but at the very least he could give them some medical attention and make sure they didn't die from the car fumes or cold. He'd be making a difference again in someone's life...

If he found them of course... and only if in time.

Shadows loomed over him threateningly as the wind blew, making the dry branches of trees and bushes scrape against one another. Not an animal was in sight in the snow and evergreens as he trekked through the thick snow.
Everything felt empty and abandoned... a stark contrast to the warm, vibrant life filled home he had been in only half an hour ago.

Lance's instinct then flared, making him turn out the flashlight as he made his way through another clump of trees and past a crushed log.

He creeped forward, staying low to the ground as he rounded the corner in a defensive posture.

The car that had gone off the road was now visible, its headlights on as it's silhouette stood out against the snow along with two smaller ones.
Which seemed to be people?? Were they fighting? Helping each other...?

Before he could make anything else out the lights went out, making him go blind for a minute and causing his ears to instinctively reach out for clues.

Grunting was heard and heavy breathing, along with mumbled unheard words from what sounded like an adult male.
A slam was then heard as something soft but solid hit the metal of the car before a muffled cry of pain.

Whatever he was hearing sounded like trouble... and it was killing Lance that his eyes were taking those precious seconds to adjust.
Should he turn the light back on?? Startle the intruder? Or should he come up behind in the cover of darkness and use the element of surprise??

He had to make a decision now as his eyes could see the different layered shadows and finally somewhat see the people's heads.

"G-Get the FUCK OFF-F of M-ME!!", an angry male voice whisper-yelled out in a strangled way.

A robbery? Murderer?! His heart kept up to his throat now as the voice sounded familiar.

Oh god....

A glint of sharp metal was then thrown to the ground, a knife laying on the snow beside the truck as the two bodies tussled.

He looked back up alarmed and rushed over, staying close to the cover of trees as he decided to surprise the attacker from behind.
To his dismay he now could make out the bodies, both clearly male, one shoved against the side of the car and the other pinning him back.

The victim was fighting back as much as he could, but he was in a chokehold and both of his wrists were held back above his head.

Lance crept up closer, hand and flashlight ready to knock out the other man in the neck, who's back was to him as he kneed the other male in the gut cruelly.

The raven haired guy grunted in pain as he gasped for more breath as it was taken out of him, his eyes full of angry fire and pain.

The taller male tightened his hold on his wrists, "Wanna try that again Charming?? Don't make me hurt you more then necessary.", he told him.

"F-Fuck off B-BITCH...", he choked out, "I don't w-want a bast-st-ard like y-you fr-fricking me..."

That was when Lance hit him with every bit of force he could muster, driving the handle of the flashlight into the man's strong neck as he was finally close enough.

If he hadn't moved just then, the raven haired guy would've probably gotten his wrists broken.
Fortunately he had made the attacker let go of the other male, on the downside though he was still conscious and angry as he dropped to the ground on one knee and reared around to look at Lance.

"Quiznack.", he said as he brandished the flashlight again.

The taller man was not intimidated at all as it came down, grabbing it mid swing and throwing it into the dead bushes. "You think it's funny huh? Trying to break my neck?", he said getting back up from his fallen position.

Lance backed up a little, trying to search for another form of defense, "I wasn't trying to break your neck! You were assaulting someone and that's against the law!!", he yelled, "I was only doing what needed to be done."

He cracked his knuckles, "Well you're not the police, so it isn't your business and I'm also not letting you tattle. So how about I break your neck and see how you like it.", he threatened coming forward, "You should've just stayed home for Christmas."

His stomach churned as he stared down the strong man in front of him, who was clearly built from good training, who was most possibly insane if he was molesting people on the holidays like some sick disgusting creep.

"If you stand down now, things can come peacefully. You don't have to start a fight that will shed blood.", he told the male in front of him, "But I'm still going to have to turn you in. You attempted something horrible that infringed on his personal rights."

"Coward's talk.", he jeered pinning him against a tree roughly in one lightning quick motion, "But since we're doing this, how about I offer you something. I knock you out instead of killing you and you let me finish what I was doing without interruption. By then I get what I want and you can take yourself and Charming's sad ass to the police station but you won't find anything on me. Win, win for the holiday spirit."

He struggled against the man's rough hold, "I would never accept that deal. Let me go and turn yourself over now."

"I just gave you the chance to live. And I meant it... do you really want to sacrifice yourself when I'll get my way anyway?", he asked throwing him to the ground with a kick to the stomach.

Lance felt the air fly out of him as he curled up into a ball from the pain.

"Huh? You REALLY wanna do that?", he jeered kicking him again as he picked him up by his jacket.

He tried to punch the horrible jerk in the face in answer, but his fist was caught without trouble, being squeezed painfully as the man smirked.

"YES. I want to and WILL fight for others from people like you!!!", he said defiantly, "And I won't EVER STOP DOING THE RIGHT THING!!" Then without warning he kicked his attacker in the groin, making him double over in pain.

Free now from his grasp, Lance punched him up the jaw and nose in two swift motions before delivering another kick to same sensitive spot. The male groaned and curled up like Lance had done, a hurting ball on the ground as he smacked a branch over his head to knock him unconscious.

Lance cringed a little feeling bad for a second before moving on quickly, hoping that the blows would keep the psychotic male down and not kill him in the process.
Justice would always be waiting for him at court...

After standing over him for a moment making sure he didn't move again, he dropped the branch and ran over to the dark haired male who was weakly leaning against the vehicle.

Bruises lined his arms and neck, his face covered with his long hair as he clutched his left arm.

"Oh my gosh are you okay?? Stupid question... of course you're not.", Lance gushed out dropping to his knees in the snow, "What's broken? Are you bleeding?? Shit... you are...." He trailed off looking at the drops of blood on the snow around him and pulled the small case out of his jacket, "I need to stop the bleeding, let me see your arm."

"Lance...", the male's familiar voice finally got in, Lance just realizing he had repeated it several times.

He looked up at him instead of the bleeding arm and felt himself get angry, sad and joyful, "..Keith?", he asked shakily.

Lance then swept Keith's raven hair aside with gentle fingers, staring at the greyish vivid purple eyes in despair.

"Oh god Keith... why did you have to find yourself in a situation like this??", he whispered brokenly noticing the harsh marks on his swollen lip and neck left by the man's selfish lust. "HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN YOU IDIOT?!", he exploded grabbing his face and caressing it, "JUST LOOK AT YOURSELF!!"

Keith looked at him surprised, "I-It wasn't m-my idea, you know that. Why are you mad at me?!"

He just glared at him and let go of his face, grabbing his injured arm and wrapping it in the gauze, "It was your idea that you decided to go off road for some reason!! And why couldn't you just teleport and take Cosmo over here instead of driving like some stupid dumbass?"

"Cosmo is m-mati-ing right now...", he replied annoyed, his voice still stuttering as he shook from the cold, "Taking a car is what people normally use L-Lance... I didn't mean to drive off the road but one of my t-tires went flat and I was barely able to keep i-it under control."

He looked back at Keith, "So you drove it into the woods?!?"

"Again, not my idea!! I'm alive aren't I?"

"You're only alive because of me...", he shot back saltily as he held back his tears, "He would've killed you after he did what he wanted."

"He sneaked up on me while I ch-changing the t-tire okay? He punched me in the gut and slammed me into my own vehicle before I knew what was happening. I fought back, but he took my own knife and sliced m-my arm, after that it became a losing battle 'cause he simply had more muscle and brute force...", he said through gritted teeth.

Lance held his arm up more to the moonlight to assess the damage as he continued to wrap it, "Are you alright though? How much did he do to you?", he asked trying to keep his voice steady as he finished off the gauze, "Do you need to go to a hospital? Be honest Keith."

"The cut isn't that deep, once we get out of here I can deal with it myself.", Keith said stubbornly pulling away from his hold.

"I'm only trying to help."

The raven haired man looked away from him, "I k-know... sorry. I'm just pissed off that I let that bitch overpower me and I couldn't drive the damned car to the party without this crap."

He then stood up slowly and painfully, holding a hand over his stomach before he turned away violently and threw up.

Lance stood up after him and put a hand on his back, trying to make sure he didn't collapse. "Keith, we should go to my truck. Yours looks pretty beat up from the crash course it just went through and mine is functioning. When you're ready I'll help you walk over there."

Keith didn't answer as he finished, looking tired and annoyed. Opening the door to the battered vehicle, he reached in and grabbed a bag and slung it over his shoulder before turning back to Lance, "Ready.", he grunted.

Lance went over and supported his friend, letting him lean most of his weight on him as they walked away from the car and the still body, "Take it easy, we don't have to rush.", he told him, "Also why aren't you wearing a jacket?? It's no wonder you're freezing!"

"L-Lost it back when I was attacked... he threw it off..", he muttered as he tried to stand more on his own without his help, "Its fine."

Keith was shaking and Lance wasn't putting up with it. After a few more steps, Lance let go of him and took off his jacket, forcing it onto his ice-cold arms, "Take this. It's only like eight or ten more minutes to the road but if you don't get warm you'll die before we get there.", he said briskly as Keith tried to fend him off.

"No, L-Lance. You need it.", he protested trying to give it back.

He slapped his hands off the jacket and wrapped Keith's arm around his neck again, "I'll live. Now please shut up and just focus on walking Mullet."

Keith mumbled something under his breath but didn't argue, continuing to walk out of the tall forest surrounding them slowly.

Pushing his way through the snow, Lance knew at the pace he was going with Keith, getting back to the truck would take twice as long as it had before. Which wasn't good for either of them in this temperature and cold wind and falling snow.

He was half tempted to ask if he could carry Keith instead, but knowing that would result in wasted time arguing, he opted to continue forward.

"LANCE!! GET DOWN!!", Keith yelled pushing down his head roughly as a tire flew over their heads.

Heart beating fast as he heard it whiz over their heads and crash into the tree with a loud thud, Lance whirled around to see what the heck just happened.
Right behind them, looking very angry and dazed, the muscled man came up on them from behind brandishing a knife and another tire under his arm.

Lance could feel the hate coming off the man as he stormed over and saw the murderous intent gleaming in his eyes.

Heart dropping down to his stomach, he helped pull Keith back up and tried to run from the maniac. "Keith, we gotta run. You can't fight like this and you have got to run.", he said urgently pulling him along, "We need to move.", he demanded trying not to let panic get into his voice. Staying calm was key. Keith was no baby, but he was injured and just put under a lot of stress from that horrible man; staying in control of his voice and direct orders would benefit them both instead of panicked yells.

"I can't run like that yet...", he breathed painfully as he tried to keep up, "We've got to fight him.", Keith said desperately.

"Fight...?! Are you-? NO! Just no Keith!!", he said angrily pulling him forward more as the man got closer, only 10 feet away, "You'll die if you try to do anything like that."

The other tire was then suddenly thrown at them, this time slamming into Lance's back as the two tried to dodge it.

Keith and Lance toppled over, separated as the man advanced on them and snatched Keith, "I don't appreciate you running off before I said I was done. You're going to have to pay for that with more pain.", he threatened shoving him into the tall evergreen, "Being pretty is no excuse to be cowardly."

"LET ME GO YOU SON OF A BITCH!!", Keith yelled trying to pry himself free, "FUCK OFF!!"

Lance got up as quickly as he could, his back screaming in pain, running over and slamming into the bigger man with all his weight.

As they both fell over, Keith grabbed the knife that the man had dropped, slashing his knee and slicing his arm as Lance punched the brute's jaw.

"STAY. OFF. KEITH. YOU. ASSHOLE!!", Lance yelled angrily beating up the man with every word.

Their attacker took the hits and fended the rest of them off, grabbing his fists and throwing him into the snow.

Keith then rushed over, slashing the knife at him and cornering the man with the knife to his throat, "Listen here.", he said dangerously, "One wrong move and I'll slit your neck bitch. I'm done with you, you hear?! Done.", he breathed.

The man stood stock still, barely breathing as the point of metal glinted at his thick neck.

"Lance, get over here and knock him out with something quick. Use the rock over there.", Keith ordered still staring intently at the muscled male with the knife held threateningly toward him.

Lance nodded and got back up to his feet, his breathing heavy from the fight.
He then spotted the rock immediately and scrambled over to it, picking it up and running over the two to knock the guy out.

"Sorry, but your dangerous and I need you to actually stay down.", Keith said, sweat shining on his forehead even though it was freezing, "Hopefully you'll wake up, and if you don't... and if you don't.., well that's my fault."

The man glared down at him and snatched Keith's right hand, throwing him into Lance and pulling the knife out of his grip.

"This is ALL YOUR FAULT.", the man breathed angrily at Lance as he helped Keith, "THIS IS ALL YOUR FUCKING FAULT!!", he roared, hate and rage controlling him completely as he came down on him.

The silver metal rang through the air as he held his breath and expected the devastating hit; only to see scarlet blood fly and stain his vision as a scream tore through the air not coming out of him.

Heart beating fast, Lance stared at the body in the snow on top of him, the knife protruding from Keith's heaving chest.

Blood stained his hands as he touched his friend's chest in a trance, quiet numbing shock seizing him as he stared wide eyed at the injury.
It was like a nightmare come to life... the blood, the scream...

His heart beat got louder and louder till rage finally snapped him out of his horror, tears coming into his eyes as he glared up at the evil male in front of him.

Grabbing the man's wrist as he tore the blade out of his victim to plunge it into Lance himself, Lance grabbed the bloody blade, flew up and attacked the killer and tore it through the man's neck. It all happened so fast the man wasn't able to scream as more bright red blood splattered against Lance's face, feeding the visions of war and trauma in his mind's eye.
All he saw was him defending Keith. Stopping the horrible being from inflicting even more damage as he delivered the final blow. He didn't see or feel the cold or the knife in his hand. All he felt was numb rage as he drove the knife through his enemy's windpipe on final time before snapping back to reality.

Horrible cold washed over him as he looked at the body under him, blood everywhere as Lance dropped the knife and screamed.
He looked at the damage done and his bloodied hands and arms, screaming in sorrow, horror and pain as he wept and knelt beside Keith.

What had he done? What had he done? What HAD HE DONE?!

With trembling arms, Lance felt for his heartbeat and pulse as he gathered the pale dying man in his arms, "Keith... KEITH!!", he cried out, "Answer me please!"

With great effort Keith opened his eyes and looked at him, "A-Are... are you okay?", he coughed out his chest quaking as red came up from his mouth.

He stared at him, "You're dying and all you can think about is if I'm okay?! Why did you do it? Why did you sacrifice yourself for me?! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE NOW KEITH!! Do you realize THAT?! I CANT LOSE YOU!", he sobbed cradling his head in his lap, "I can't lose you... I just can't."

"I c-couldn't let... couldn't let you die either...", Keith whispered. His pale face stood out against the white snow, his eyes shining with some untold spark as he tried to hide the pain, "I'll be f-fine... you'll make it..."

"I can't make it without Keith!! I... I..", Lance struggled trying to find the words that lay within his heart.

Keith grabbed his hand weakly, holding it tightly as he smiled, "I need you... I need you to l-live Lance. Whether it's with me or w-without me."

He swallowed looking down at the man in his arms, guilt weighing on his heart. He hasn't done a good enough job. Hadn't protected him like he should've. This was all his fault.
All his fault.

Gripping the warm comforting hand back, he stared into his eyes, "I don't want to live without you Keith. I need to talk to you, laugh and joke with you... you've made me strong enough to come back to my own family!! I wouldn't have been if you had never visited me back on the farm...
You've given me life Keith; you're my soul, my heart, my everything. Please, please don't leave me.", he cried as the man's face grew surprised and then happy, "I NEED YOU."

One strangled breath later, Keith's eyes went dark as he looked like he was about to respond, leaving a still and dead body in Lance's arms.
His hand then went limp, dropping lifelessly beside him as Lance dropped it in shock and stared at Keith in devastation.

"I love you... I was just about to say I love you..", he whispered, touching his forehead to Keith's.
Tears poured out as the cold breeze blew around them both, quiet and ugly silence filling the air.

"GOD KEITH, COME BACK!!", he suddenly screamed into the night feeling himself start to go mad with grief, "IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME!! It should've been me, me, me...!!"

He clutched Keith's chest and sobbed on him, noticing the empty void of the heart's beat and blood that should've never been spilt.

"I-It should've been me... not you. Never you...", he said brokenly as he continued to cry.

The impact that Keith had put on him and his life ran through his mind as he clung helplessly onto him.
The minute after the celebration of the victory of Atlas, the family get togethers, Shiro and Curtis' wedding, and the paladins spending some final time together before going their separate ways and watching the lions disappear into the great beyond of space; Lance had taken Cultanecker and the single Altean plumberry blossom over the states to Cuba and purchased a small property of farmland without saying anything to anyone.
He had settled there without any intention of connecting with anyone except his cow and the exotic plants he cultured. His neighbor, an old man named Frank, had seen he needed time alone and given him his space, sending a customer or two to him to help Lance out when he needed to pay taxes.

Reality had been cruel to him as soon as the celebrations had passed, leaving his mind to wander into dark places without him meaning to.
That's when the dreams, visions and flashbacks attacked him, drowning him in blood whenever he thought about his family or lost friends in battle. It was abrupt and living hell for him.
Getting away from civilization was all he could think of to try to escape and get better, and showers upon showers were another pointless escape as his shampoo bottles seemed to look at him accusingly.

He couldn't escape no matter what he did. And anxiety piled up higher and higher as he cut his hair compulsorily and he felt some small control in his life on his small farm with his simple life. He had everything he needed it seemed, no guilt of expectations, a purpose for others without stressing himself out and a calm quiet place to try to reflect on positive things.

After about a couple of months alone, Keith had found him with Cosmo by his side. He didn't ask any questions and talked to him about how tough leading the Blade of Marmora was and asked if he knew how to make a good milkshake.
Lance smiled to himself sadly remembering how he had asked him about being lactose intolerant, which Keith only said he could take it like the big idiot he was.
After that he came almost every other month to visit, talking to him and sometimes just stopping by with a helpful gift like a new rake or sprinkler system.

Lance never talked about how he was all alone until he broke down one night, Keith walking into the room seeing him on the floor holding a picture of the group in front of the Allura memorial. Keith had immediately comforted him and in response, Lance gushed out his problems to the concerned half alien who smelled strangely sweet of leather and wood.
They had gotten close and told each other their problems after that one night, both of them giving support as he recovered slowly from the pain he had suffered and felt for so long. They had forged a strong relationship, even if they didn't see each other for a couple of months at a time. Keith had accepted Lance as he was without question and had always offered a hand right before he left for another long trip to space.

Keith had saved him... saved him from himself and his darkest fears without even trying; giving him the strength to fight on the days he wanted so badly to give up and join Allura.
He couldn't let that go unthanked... to have Keith leave him before he was told how important he was to him and the spark he had reignited.

Lance cradled him close, his own body shaking not from the frigid air but the sorrow and regret coursing through him.

He had loved Keith... probably had for a long time as his relationship with Allura became frayed at the end as her heart was clearly still with Lotor. Lance knew he loved her with all his heart and was willing to do anything for her... but the connection he had with Keith..
It was something he would've never expected.

He had been afraid to admit he wanted something romantic. Not only was Keith not a girl, but Keith was also his rival. Lance thought he only liked girls... should only like girls.
But he had grown, and so when his heart started to lean towards him, he finally let himself think about the possibility more.

Lance had never known if Keith felt the same and telling him that he had feelings for him could ruin everything they had built in that reclusive farm. He wasn't willing to risk that... not until tonight.
This horrible night where Keith had been ripped away from him.

He would've given anything to undo everything that had just happened. To have Keith back alive in his arms so he could just admit he remembered the 'bonding moment' Keith was obsessed with and confess his love.

"I'm so sorry Keith... I'm so sorry...", he cried quietly, "I needed you, still need you... and I let you die. I want you back. I need you back."

His stomach felt like it was disintegrating from the awful pit of despair he had fallen into. How could he live without Keith?? Especially after this?! It was almost too much for him as he thought about really just giving up on himself. What reason did he have to stay when the one person that helped him live was gone now?

Amal's face then came into his mind along with Rachel, Veronica, Josh and his whole family one by one. They loved him and would be devastated if he disappeared on them again. He couldn't do that to them.

And Lance could practically hear Keith scolding him for thinking that he should just end himself, and afterword giving him a pep talk.
Another sad smile went on his face before he curled up close to his body.

Lance then saw a soft blue glow from the corner of his eye, or more precisely from the corners of his eyes...

Touching his upper cheek gently, he could tell and feel he had the power of Altea, of Allura radiating through it. His soul felt like it was glowing as he knew with dead certainty what he had to do.

"Please... Allura, help me. Help me save him...", he pleaded pressing his hands to Keith's bloody chest and ripped shirt, "I love him..."

He watched in relief and awe as his hands started glowing with the same soft glowing light as his markings, balls of light floating up and forming a vague shape. As more popped up they arranged themself into Allura, who was resting her hands in the same place as Lance on the opposite side.

He stared at her, more tears coming into his eyes then he thought possible seeing his deceased girlfriend.
The ghost of the princess smiled back at him and nodded, her lips forming the words 'goodbye'.
As she did, she glowed brighter and his markings did also, flowing into Keith and mending his wounds, bruises and abuse from the assault as if it never happened.

"Wait... Allura...", Lance called reaching out to the last floating sparks as everything faded away now, leaving him in the dark, "I wanted to thank you..." Seeing she was gone forever this time, his heart knowing this unexplainably, he turned back to Keith and put his ear to his heart with a shaky breath.

The heartbeat rang through his ears in startling relief, making him burst into joyful and hopeful sobs as he clutched Keith to him tightly as he rocked back and forth.

"Lance. Lance, I love you so much.", Keith said looking up at him with a weak smile, "Have loved you for years. That's why I did it. That's why I gave up my life for you.", he grasped his face in his strong hands.

He swallowed as he put a hand upon Keith's, "I love you too... I'm so sorry that it took so long for me to tell you. I'm sorry you died because of me.", he sobbed.

Keith sat up on his own, still holding onto his face as he stared into Lance's eyes, "Don't be sorry. Don't. It's alright, I promise. All that matters is you're okay."

"You're not even going to ask how you're alive? How I found you in the first place or how I'm such a screw-up? How can you only be so concerned about me instead of yourself for once?!", he cried out, "I failed to save you in time!! It's a literal miracle that you're here alive with me!!"
Lance then wiped the blood specks off Keith's cheek, his heart in his throat as he held onto him tightly, afraid to let go, "You have no idea how much you mean to me... no idea. You saved me."

"And you have no idea how much I love you McClain. Everything else, every other worry or fear doesn't matter when I got you here with me.", he said quietly edging forward, "... Let me be there for you."

"Can... can I kiss you? Is, is that okay?", Lance exploded out grabbing both of his cheeks and drawing him in, their foreheads pressed together.

Keith closed his eyes and leant forward in answer, pressing his lips against Lance's as he caressed his cheek gently.

Tears ran down Lance's face in silent rivers as he brought Keith closer to him, tightening his grip on their heads as he ran his other hand through his long dark hair.

The two kissed gently at first before deepening it, both now letting the other know how much they loved each other after so many years of it being left unsaid.
After several magical warm minutes, they broke apart and stared into each other's eyes and held hands as they sat in the snow.

"I love you...", he said his voice trembling from joy.

Keith ran a hand over his earlobe gently, "I do too... so much.", he replied bringing him in for another kiss.

"Keith, we need to get you in the car.", Lance half-laughed standing up, "If you don't, you're going to freeze. I might freeze... I love kissing you but lets get in the car first.", he said rubbing his arms.

Lance watched as Keith shook his head and sighed, "Fine, you've got a good point.", he pushed himself off the ground and looked at the dead body of the tall muscled man.
Looking down at his chest and the blood everywhere that was being steadily covered by the snow, he looked back at him wistfully, "So... I really did die huh?"

He looked away for a moment before looking back at the bloodied torn shirt on Keith's chest, "Yeah, you did... that.. person.. he gave me no choice. He killed you and was about to do the same to me. I'm sorry."

Keith patted him on the back, "You did what you had to do to survive. Besides, I think he has a criminal record of assaulting other people in the past... he would've gotten a heavy price anyhow.", he comforted, "Don't let his choices haunt you... he was crazy Lance."

"I think I went crazy for a minute back there though...", he muttered staring at the encrusted blood over his arms, "I just started hacking..."

He then felt warm arms wrap around him in a gentle yet firm huh, "You've been through a lot okay? He was awful, a danger to himself and others, and you stopped him. You did the right thing ultimately... Believe me when I say it's going to be fine. It's just like when we had to fight the Galra back then, we can't always spare evil."

He tore his eyes away from the red substance on his body and took a shuddering breath, "It's still a human life."

Keith liked at him and shook his head, "He was barely human. He acted like some fucking wild animal with no self control! Forget him!
I'll go grab my jacket real quick and we can leave this all behind...", he said walking off, now completely healed from Lance's magic.

After a minute he came back, holding his brown leather jacket and the flashlight Lance had lost.

He turned on the beam and threw the jacket onto his shoulders, surprising Lance as he held onto the soft and tough material. It smelled exactly like Keith he realized as he pulled it on... making his cheeks go pink with happiness.

"C'mon, we need to head back to your car.", he said pulling him along, hand in hand finally leaving behind the dark and devastating nightmare.

The contact they shared now was almost overwhelming, but he loved it and treasured every second of it. Obviously Keith didn't need to be told twice that it was okay to have couply affections once they had confessed their love for one another.

After several minutes of walking through the crunchy snow, the woods gave way to the road and mountainside, his red truck gleaming in the moonlight as if it were winking at them.

"Is that it?", Keith asked stopping to look at it.

"No Mullet, it's some random truck, the only truck in fact, that's sitting around at the side of the road for no apparent reason.", he responded, "Of course that's it!", he said pulling out the keys and unlocking the doors as they climbed up the short slope.

"That was highly uncalled for.", Keith said reaching the top, "I was just making sure, damn it."

He rolled his eyes at the handsome man in front of him, "I was just messing around you big baby, now get in already.", he laughed opening the door.

Keith stared at him blankly for a second, "Oh... right. Shit.", he said climbing inside and shutting the door as Lance buckled his seatbelt, "Forgot."

He looked at him for a moment as he started the ignition, "Do you cuss this often all the time? I don't remember it being this bad when you visited me."

"I swear whenever I'm stressed."

"Keith are you okay? Is something still broken? Is it me? You can tell me...", he asked alarmed, his hand holding the gear shift tightly, "Was it that guy back there?"

Lance saw him tense his shoulders as he pulled off the bloody jacket and torn shirt, leaving only his bare chest and giving Lance a near heart attack from seeing it.

"ASFKEITH!! What are you DOING?", he yelped, his face turning bright red as Keith just looked at him.

"Cleaning up the best I can.", he answered calmly taking a wet wipe from the med-kit, "I can't be wearing those stained things into your family's home and plus I still got blood over my body. It's not like you haven't seen me like this before..."

"I guess that makes sense... and I know, I know... but we're in the car!!", he said frazzled now looking very intently at the wheel.

"It's not like I'm naked Lance, and it's just you and me. Even if another car drives by they won't see anything."

Lance pealed Keith's jacket off and threw it back toward him, "Alright point proven, but you can't go in not wearing any tops either.", he blushed.

"Well you should clean up too.", he said as he pulled on the jacket and closed it, "You're covered in the stuff."

He watched as Keith pulled out several more wipes and scrubbed Lance's arms and hands intently, doing his best to clean up the blood from his body.
After he had finished with his arms, he pointed to his sweater, "That's covered in blood, you should take it off.", he said leaning over and tugging on the hem of it pointedly. Lance obliged and was glad he had been smart enough to wear layers unlike his old rival.

Keith looked him over and then scrubbed his face roughly before stopping and poking the place where his markings were, "Lance, where did the Altean markings go?"

"What? What do you mean?!", he asked pulling down the mirror. And to a mixture of sorrow and relief, he saw Keith was right. The blue triangles had disappeared... the last bit of Allura he had now gone with it.
He traced a hand over the missing marks, "Oh... oh... I-I think I understand.", he said slowly, "When I healed you with what little bit of magic Allura gave to me... which showed up in the markings... they disappeared because I used all the magic up. Allura appeared as some ghost and told me goodbye as she helped me save you... and then she faded away. I'm guessing the markings faded off with her because that was how she passed me her gift of healing, even if it was only a one time thing."

"You saw Allura?"

He waved his hand, "Not really... it was more of a fragment of an echo of that makes any sense. She was only there for the last couple of seconds."

Keith's brow furrowed, "Are you Alright? Seeing her again I mean?"

"It was nice... but I'm not sad really. She was happy for me, for both of us... I could tell.", he smiled starting the car down the road as Keith hurriedly clicked in his seatbelt.

Keith nodded understandably as he leaned against the chair quietly, listening to the tires roll against the asphalt.

The two sat in silence for a moment before he broke it, glancing at Keith as he drove back up the mountain, "How about you though? You never answered my question about why you're stressed. Also, an easier question, why don't you have a phone or some alien tech scroll?"

"The phone was destroyed earlier...", he said annoyed crossing his arms looking out the window, "And to answer the first question, I'm just stressed because I'm still pissed off that guy took advantage of me. I, I thought I was better at defending myself.", he said bitterly, "Also I never thought I'd find myself a victim."

"It wasn't your fault Keith... he caught you by surprise. It was dark and cold and a creep was the last thing anyone would expect on Christmas."

"He might've... no would've, been able to do worse things to me if you hadn't shown.", Keith said angrily, "It was... awful."

Lance felt guilty, "I'm sorry I kissed you... I was rushing into it and being completely insensitive.", he apologized feeling stupid for not remembering what Keith had just been through, "I don't know what I was thinking."

"What? No, I wanted that. You even asked me Lance. I'm not fragile now okay!", he said exasperated, "I'm not stressed because of you. I'm just mad I wasn't able to save myself."

"Okay... but Keith, we both know you're one of the strongest and skilled fighters out there, and that you wouldn't sit idly by. You tried your best and getting beat happens to the best of us.", he said quietly, "I learned that lesson for a couple of years... I've been suffering through some bad stuff for a long time... you know that. And what I learned is that it's okay to be weak sometimes. We can't always be strong enough on our own, but we can be if we let others help us. Those weaknesses make us not only human, but help us connect to the people we need to most."

He looked at him, "You've gotten wise sounding... next thing I know you're going to be growing a beard.", he said with a small grin looking thoughtful.

"Pain can make us grow... or it can break us. I've chosen to let myself learn from it, even though my mind half the time tries to paint my world with black instead of white. It took me a long time to start thinking positively again..."

"I'm glad you've gotten better. The last thing I'd want for you is to be hopeless and miserable.", Keith said, "You sound more like the old Lance."

He looked at him for a moment as he continued to climb the steep road, "What do you mean?"

"You were more positive back then... you had more hope for a future and even if our asses got kicked you'd just say we'd get them next time.
You had a lot more life in you and it seemed ever since I left to join the Blades... you kinda deflated. But you seem like that younger bouncier Lance, and I'm happy. I missed that."

Lance swallowed, "Well, again that's because of you..."
Heart beating happily, he finally saw the crowded driveway to his sister's house in view, making him sigh in relief, "This is it. We're here now!", he smiled parking his car after swerving around the others, "We're safe."

Home.
That's what stood in front of them with cheery warmth and trusted friends waiting inside.
Security and support... he felt like he could really breathe again as he looked at the reclusive mountain house with ease instead of anxiety.

"Let's go in, yeah?", he said unbuckling himself and making his way out just as Keith grabbed his hand, stopping him.

"After all we've been through... after how long we loved each other... will you call yourself my boyfriend Lance?", he asked looking up at him, "I want to go in there with you as my own. I want you to be something I can officially say is mine. We've both almost died, saved each other, fought side by side and bonded together for years. So, so will you let me be yours?"

"Oh.", he said softly looking into his face. It was so open and vulnerable again, just like the time had saw Lance after being beat up by the man and as they had kissed.
Keith felt like they known each other good enough to be boyfriends... and Lance felt his heart melt with joy hearing that. "Yeah, of course... I mean, I would like that. I would like that a lot."

Keith smiled at him, making Lance's stomach do strange little flips, "Thank you Lance... there's nothing I wanted more then you."

He felt his face get very hot as he rubbed his very messy curly hair, "I- uhhhh, me too. I mean, I wanted you, not me, to be with! I love you Keith and I wouldn't choose anyone else right now to be with.", he gushed. Pulling away gently from his grip, he motioned to the waiting house, "So, we should probably get in. I forgot I left in a hurry and worried Mamí. She's probably a mess because of me!"

He climbed out of the truck and shut the door as Keith did the same, both walking to the warm smells and laughter that carried through the windows and walls.

Lance then grabbed his new official boyfriend's hand as they arrived at the door, smiling nervously at him as he opened the door.

As soon as he did, his mother, little niece and his siblings rushed over and hugged him. Asking his a thousand questions and checking him for bruises as they then started on Keith.
It was an almost pleasant chaos, the caring and concerned faces of his family surrounding with him genuine love.

"Alright enough!", Keith shouted over the tumult holding his free hand out toward them, "We're fine alright! Pipe down!"

The room instantly became quiet as Shiro came rushing into the room along with Pidge and Hunk.

"Keith!!", Shiro exclaimed rushing over and hugging him and Lance, "Where were you guys? What happened?"

"Was your friend in danger primo? Is that why you left 'cause he needed help?", his mother asked looking at Keith kindly.

"It's a long story that we don't really want to get into. Keith's car just broke down and I had a feeling he needed me, that's all.", he said over the now chattering voices, not wanting to get into more sensitive details that might give Keith trauma, "It was bumpy, but we are alright... let's just enjoy each other's company."

"Sounds good to me!", Pidge replied reading the hint to let it go, "Now we've got the gang here we can open presents!"

"Sounds good! Sorry I kept you guys waiting.", Lance then squeezed Keith's hand lovingly, hoping whatever stress he still felt could maybe be replaced with good memories and joy, "We can relax now and catch up with you guys."

Pidge smirked at their entwined hands, "So... Klance huh?"

"What?", they both asked at the same time looking confused.

Rachel gestured to their hands, "Klance, you idiots. It's your couple name and they totally bet that you guys were a thing.", she smiled motioning to Pidge, "So, how long have you been together?"

"Our whole life.", Keith replied as Lance said a few minutes.

Hunk passed Pidge twenty dollars as they cheered triumphantly, "I knew it!! HAHAHA I CALLED IT!!"

Shiro laid a hand on both of their shoulders, "I'm happy for you guys, it's about time you found someone special in your life that makes you happy."

He grinned up at his childhood idle, a man he loved and respected, "Thanks Shiro..."

Lance then found himself crushed by Amal, her little monkey arms wrapping around his waist.

Keith looked down at her startled, "Where did she come from?"

"Keith, this Amal. My adorable niece.", he introduced as he held her with his free arm, "She made me a bayard for Christmas.", he said importantly.

"A bayard huh? Neat.", Keith said looking at her curiously.

She giggled and then looked at his boyfriend, "Are you guys going to get married? You seem to love each other a lot."

"No, not yet sweetie.", he laughed hugging her tightly as his face went red again, "For now we're just boyfriends."

"Not yet huh?", Keith said slyly, "Does that mean you want to get married to me? Huh, Lance McClain?"

He heard Amal squeal as Keith got closer to his face, staring at him with those beautiful inhuman eyes, "Well, Yeah... I mean we've practically been together our whole lives. I can see us going that far after a bit.", he said nervously, "You don't?"

"Actually I do. I've seen it for years.", Keith then looked up and his smirk grew bigger, "Mistletoe Lance."

Before he could look up at the white berries overhead, Keith brought his face close to Lance's, the two kissing passionately as everyone oohed and whooped as Amal giggled and covered her eyes, still in Lance's arm.

"Gays! There's a small child present!", Pidge called out after a good minute, "Keep it family friendly!!"

They broke away after a few more sendings as everyone laughed, Lance seeing they had a whole audience watching their kiss. "C'mon guys!! Can anyone get a little privacy here?", he called exasperated.

"Nope!! This a big family Curlyfry!", his cousin laughed taking Amal from his arms, "Everyone is in everyone's business! Congrats on your cowboy boyfriend!", he said slapping his back.

Matt then made party streamers and confetti fall around him and Keith as he exploded the party popper, "CONGRATS YOU GAYS!!", he laughed as Veronica and Axca popped smaller ones.

He facepalmed, throughly embarrassed now, "Alright, thank you but lets just open the presents already!! Stop acting like you've never seen a couple!"

"Now where would be the fun in that?", his uncle called.

Keith leaned toward Lance, his hair falling over his eyes a little, "Is your family usually this crazy?", he whispered smiling.

"Usually they are a lot more.", he replied watching in delight as his boyfriend looked bewildered, "But don't worry, we don't bite.", he laughed dragging him through to crowd to the big living room.

Everyone filed in after them, still poking and making a big deal out of their official relationship good naturally.

"Alright, time for presents!!", his mother announced as they sat down by the fireplace in the love seat, "But before, our toast!" She then held up a glass as Kai and Rachel quickly passed the champagne to everybody and sparkling apple cider to those under age. "To family!! And to the love in this holiday season!", she called.

"To family and love!", everyone echoed as they drank and started laughing and talking.

Keith wrapped an arm around Lance, holding him close as they watched presents get passed, glasses get clinked and people make jokes, "You're my Christmas present Lance,", he said softly kissing his forehead, "and I think maybe this night will hold good memories for me instead of bad."

He looked at him, "You know what, I feel the same. I started out anxious and stressed tonight... but because of you, I feel better. I feel safer.", he smiled, "You make me better Keith. You help me stay in the moment and not get ripped away into the past. I owe everything to you... and I won't ever let you go.", he promised taking his other hand in his, "I love you."

Keith's eyes sparkled with pure joy as he put his forehead against Lance's, "And I owe my life to you... I'll stay you you by your side as long as you want me to. I'm yours..."

Lance pulled him in tightly, embracing the man he loved tightly as he felt Keith bury his face into his neck like a kitten.

"Say you won't ever leave me...", Keith muttered quietly holding onto him, "Please..."

Heart cracking and glowing with love, he squeezed him tighter and kissed his ear, "Of course I won't ever leave you... I will never abandon you Keith. Ever. Know that I'm here for forever..."

"I-I... I love you Lance. More then I could ever say.", he said coming out of the warm hug and having one hand on the back of Lance's neck and cheek.

He brought Keith closer to him and pulled him in for another kiss after whispering, "You don't have to. I know..."

"Merry Christmas Lance...", Keith said After they ended it and cuddled closer.

Lance rested his head against him, listening to his strong steady heartbeat and feeling happier then he had been for a long time, "Merry Christmas."

***
The End

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Thanks to my sister for inspiring me to write this, my other Voltron stanners and of course, Voltron itself.
❤️💙
-Word count: 19,054