Hey y'all. Ha, it's been so long since I used ! I'm crossposting this story on AO3, and I'll be working to put in all the chapters soon. Okay, so, this story is heavy- it's got a lot of things that have affected my life, and this is me turning it into something productive! lol. So, trigger warnings... there are a lot. I'll give them all here, up front, and on each chapter, I'll put another warning, and I'll put a summary of the chapter at the bottom... but, if you are very badly triggered by some of these, please think before you read, because I don't want anyone to be triggered by them if they feel they can't handle it (I understand that feeling very well). Alright, so, these are the warnings:

Alcohol abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced drug abuse, Implied/Referenced suicide attempt, Self-harm, Depression/Mental health issues, Addiction

This is not a story condoning any of these things, haha... it's more a story getting into them, though, but I don't want to spoil anything.

(Also, I haven't watched all of season 8 yet, so no spoilers! Haha, thanks!)

Alright- I hope you guys enjoy! Love you all.

"Hey, Coran... what are Earth's coordinates?"

"Well, now, that question is more complex than simply a set of coordinates-"

"As seen from the centre of the Milky Way galaxy... does that help at all?"

"Ah. Well, we can merely enter in the information we need into the coordinate tracker, and... ah, there we are! Latitude +0° 2′ 46.2″, longitude 179° 56′ 39.4″."

"...Sweet. Thanks, Coran."

"Any time, my boy... I do have to ask, though, it's quite a strange question. Any particular reason you asked?"

"Ah, think of it as just helping my homesickness."

"Oh. Well, I can see where knowing where home was-well, is, in your case-would help, yes."

The long, slender fingers brushed the console of the escape pod, leaving trails through the thin layer of dust that had collected on the metal surface. The owner of said fingers smiled, one corner of his lips curving upwards in an expression that was more bittersweet that anything.

"...I think... it may be time to put you to use, girl." He murmured to the ship, even if it wasn't sentient, like the other two ships he had flown.

That was before, though... this was now.

His footsteps echoed in the hangar, the only sound in the enormous ship, save for the quiet hum of machinery and the occasional clicking or beeping from a camera placed here, or a computer that someone forgot to power down when they stopped using it.

The escape pod door slid shut easily. After the two Alteans had awoken, they had done everything they could to get the Castleship back up and running smoothly, that included repairing and updating the pods... not that they had used them many times, not in the grand scheme of things, they had their Lions, and Coran could usually hold his own in the Castleship.

Thankfully, one of the pods would be put to good use.

The young man left the hangar and proceeded back to his room, keeping his steps as light as possible, not wanting to wake any of the light sleepers. He reached into his pocket and drew out a small, faded photo. The edges were curled and worn, but the smile that his mother and his father bore brightened the photo enough to make it seem like it was brand new... even if it was four years old.

His own smile faded from his face, and he slowed to a stop outside his room's door. Four years... would they remember him? Did they think he was dead? Probably. He had quite literally disappeared off the face of the Earth, how could they hold any hope in his existence?

Well... he'd find out soon enough.

"Lance."

The young man's head snapped up, looking straight ahead of him. He forced a small smile. "...Coran... I didn't even hear you. What's up? Why are you still awake?" He asked, his voice a little rough from under-use.

Lance saw his own sadness reflected in Coran's half hearted smile. The red-headed man walked forward and placed his hand on Lance's shoulder. "Different sleep patterns... besides," Coran held up a small bag, just big enough to fit in Lance's jacket's inside pocket. "-you'll be needing provisions, won't you?" He said quietly.

Oh shit.

He'd promised himself he wouldn't cry about this, he'd already cried enough over the past year, and yet here he was, his eyes stinging yet again as he allowed himself a watery chuckle. He wiped at his eyes with his palms, then reached out, pulling the older being into a hug. "What would I do without you, Coran?" He sighed, curling his fingers into the back of Coran's shirt.

Coran laughed quietly and patted Lance's back. "Let's not think about that, yes?" He teased. They stood there for another moment, before they pulled apart. Coran's own eyes were a little glassy, reflecting the dim, blue light from above as he smiled at the young man in front of him. "Lance... I had two boys on Altea... I've told you this before, of course, but..." He shook his head. "Reylif... he was just like you... he was caring and kind, and generous to a fault..." He took in a deep breath. "...and it hurt to lose him the way I did, but I won't lose you the same way... you really are like a son to me, Lance, and as much as I'm going to miss you-" He stopped, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes as his voice broke. "-I'd rather not see you and know you're alive and happy than see you... see you dead because you lost your will to live, like Reylif." He finished, opening his eyes again in time to see the tears fall from Lance's blue eyes.

Lance shook his head and sniffed. "Ay, Dios mío, Coran, I'm gonna miss you..." He paused, then tucked the small bag into his pocket, before he reached into his jean's pocket. "I-uh... I know that you're probably not gonna have any time to make it all the way out there, not with this war going on, but here-" He pressed a small piece of paper into Coran's calloused palm. "-this is my country's coordinates... my address-my home, I mean, is there too, but I'm not sure if they're still there... but I'll be in that country for sure, if I'm anywhere on Earth." He smiled.

Coran bit his lip and curled his fingers protectively around the piece of paper, before he tucked it into his breast pocket and buttoned the pocket shut. "I'll keep it right here in the front of my mind, Lance." He said, tapping his forehead. Lance laughed softly, and Coran's eyebrows tilted upwards sadly. "Do you... want me to tell the others where you are?" He asked hesitantly.

Lance's heart skipped a beat, and he hesitated, but he shook his head. "Nah... I... I'm not sure how much they care anymore, I mean... Keith's back in Red, Shiro in Black, and Allura in Blue... they don't need me anymore, and I'll just take up space... but, if they do..." His mind wandered to Hunk, and he smiled. "...they'd probably do something stupid. I'd rather they not know where I am and search for a little while than waste time coming to Earth and trying to convince me to come back." He reached out and grabbed Coran's hand. He raised his eyes to meet his, and he set his jaw. "...if I'm gonna head out, I'd best go now, or I'll never get my ass off this damn ship." He joked.

Coran's lip trembled slightly, but he rolled his eyes. "Then go, my boy... you know the way." he said knowingly, shaking Lance's hand.
Lance drew his hand back to his side. He grinned a little, even as tears made their way down his cheeks. "Latitude +0° 2′ 46.2″, longitude 179° 56′ 39.4″, right?" he murmured. Coran nodded, a true smile beginning to show on his face. Lance bit the inside of his lip. "...Coran?" He started.

Coran swallowed. "Yes, my boy?"

Lance closed his eyes, not wanting to see the look on his face. "...you lost Reylif, but Reylif lost one hell of a dad... and I'm glad I got to find a father out here. I'm glad it was you." He choked out. He heard Coran hold back a sob, and he reached out blindly, finding Coran's hand again. "Thank you, Coran... for everything... I hope I get to see you again someday... preferably when this damn war is over." Lance managed to say.

"... Same to you, Lance... this team has lost an amazing member, and I'm sad to see you go, but-" Lance opened his eyes as Coran squeezed his hand. Coran smiled. "Te deseo lo mejor." He spoke.

Lance laughed, louder than he would have liked, and he smiled widely, feeling happier than he had in a long time. He may have mangled the pronunciation of a word or two, but there was more meaning in that than anything anyone had said to him in years. The lump in Lance's throat grew as he tightened the grip on Coran's hand. He opened his mouth and almost whispered his next words.

"Hasta siempre."

Note- Hasta siempre is a farewell used by people who don't expect to see each other again, forever or for at least a very long time.