WARNING:
- This fic takes place before Season 3 and 4. So Blue Paladin Lance and Red Paladin Keith.
- It's been three years.
I've already planned out the rest of this story and had so much fun writing this first chapter. Let me know what you think! This is also going to be post of Archive Of Our Own
Xxx
Heavy footsteps carried themselves through the room as a restless paladin wasted away their night. It was no secret that nighttime was all but welcoming to many of the inhabitants on the Altean ship. Some were greeted with horror-filled night mares that left them shaking in fear. Some were wired to work all night and sleep all day. Some were tortured with their thoughts and doubts until they could no longer decipher what was real and what wasn't. And some were haunted with the unknown.
They always said the unknown was the most feared, but Lance had no idea how true that statement was until he was whisked away to fight an intergalactic war against a dominating species. Not until he had no way to know how his family was doing without him.
He had always dreamed of being the hero in the story books, not even necessarily for a pretty girl, but for his family. He wanted to be the one to save them all and bring them the happiness they so desperately needed. No one would ever know, but his families immigration process was all but peaceful. Lance wanted to be the one to make all their hard work and determination worth it by embracing everything his parents had risked so much for him to have. He wanted to provide for them and protect them as his father grew old. He wanted to teach his siblings to ride a bike and protect his younger sister from boys. He wanted to take care of his mother who he knew was going to need a break sooner or later. He wanted to get them out of the rickety old house they were lucky enough to afford. He wanted to make everything better. That is why he joined the Galaxy Garrison.
So why was he hundreds of lightyears away from the very family he wanted to save?
He knew he had a job to do. He was expected to protect and serve for years to come at the expense of his own happiness. He knew what the title of Defenders of the Universe entailed, but it was definitely a hard pill to swallow.
How was he supposed to accept the fact that he likely will never see his family again?
Lance halted his pacing, as the tears he was trying so hard to suppress came flooding out. He couldn't help himself. He knew that he looked weak. He knew if Keith came in he'd likely be humiliated. He knew there wasn't much he could do. Yet he cried. He cried for the family he lost.
Lance crouched down onto the floor as memories of coconut scented candles and butterscotch cookies on summer nights invaded his mind. He could see his shared bedroom with his two brothers. The glow in the dark stars that covered his earth bedroom resembled the terribly cut paper stars he's put together in his current paladin bedroom. His brothers, they were so tiny when he left three years ago. How old were they now? 13 and 15? Or was it 12 and 14?
Had they moved his stuff?
Had they given his younger brothers his hand me downs? Given their financial situation, he hoped they had.
Had his sister had her first kiss?
Did his father finally finish making that go kart his family had been working on?
Did they get to celebrate Christmas with new toys?
How did the first day of school go?
Lance drew in a deep breathe, trying to calm himself. He could feel a headache coming on, and he would much rather go without the incessant pounding for hours. He knew he should stop thinking about the family he should push to the back of his mind, but that was much easier said than done.
He had learned earlier that day that it was the same for Pidge and Hunk. They had all shared their wish to visit their families. But the idea was immediately shot down by Shiro and Allura. The mission at hand was most important, and even though they had held their ground with he Galra for years, there was still the chance that they could strike at any moment.
Lance had been confident that a quick trip back to earth would be fine, just tell their families that they were okay. But Allura and Shiro were adamantly against it. Lance, Hunk, and Pidge were devastated to say the least. The small flicker of hope that Allura of all people would understand wanting to see your family again diminished with her firm rejection.
Everyone tried to reason with them, even Coran who could understand the situation.
"Please think about it princess. What would you give to see King Alfor again?"
But she remained by her decision.
Everyone had something to say about the situation, except for one particular hot head who remained silent. At first, Lance was hurt that Keith hadn't tried to help them. But he dropped it as the entire plan fell through with Allura's dismissal. Everyone remained in their quarters for the rest of the day.
Now here Lance was, at what he assumed was around midnight (he was never quite sure in space), wondering why he still tried. Why continue hoping when it hurts you every time? Why dangle a prize in front of your face that you will never reach?
His tears began to die down but not early enough to avoid the thunderous pounds in his head. He sighed as he wiped his running nose on his sleeve. He didn't care how much of a mess he looked, he needed to get rid of this head ache.
Reluctantly, Lance stood slightly hunched. He swayed lightly as his vision darkened for a moment. He closed his eyes and brought his palm to his temple, trying to will the pain away.
I need water.
Lance opened his eyes which burned from the amount of tears he'd released. He had cried over his family, but never to this degree.
Pulling on his navy green jacket, Lance made his way to the door. The door opened upon his request allowing him to head to the kitchen in somewhat of a trance. His mind was filled with numb thoughts of his family. He knew he should likely stop thinking about them in ordered to stop his depressing mood. But he had always hoped they'd never stop thinking about him, so how could stop?
Lance pulled out a glass and began filling the cup with water. He was grateful that Alteans used the same water Humans used on earth. He was half expecting some weird green alien juice as their liquid intake. Luckily, water was the universal hydration method even in space.
After filling his cup, Lance began to drink slowly as his mind wandered again. He wasn't sure how long he was in the kitchen before someone found him.
Lance had sat himself on the floor holding his cup between his legs. He was staring off into space when Keith realized he was there.
The red paladin had also came to the kitchen for water. He had done so many times before and ran into the other members. But none of them had ever looked the way Lance did now. He looked terribly sad, and lost. Keith felt a pang in his chest for his friend. He could understand how he felt, yet had no idea how to help him. He wasn't as good at comforting people as Lance could do with everyone else when they got into these moods. He wasn't a problem solver. He was a "shoot first and ask questions later" kind of guy, as Lance would put it. He wasn't equipped for this kind of stuff.
Yet he found himself drawing closer to the boy in the corner of the kitchen.
Lance had yet to noticed his presence, and for a moment Keith considered leaving. But that's not what a good friend does. He learned recently what being a good friend entails from his fellow blue, yellow, and green paladins. They had showed him what a true friend was., how to ask for and accept help. How to support each other.
Lance needed a friend.
Keith approached Lance and kneeled down to his level. Keith was slightly surprised that Lance still wasn't aware he was there.
"Lance?" Keith asked gently which helped Lance snap out of his distant gaze.
It was then that Keith noticed the red rimmed eyes and dark circles.
"Hey," Lance quickly wiped away his remaining tears in order to hide his current mental state.
Keith wasn't really sure what to do after this, the thought of hugging Lance crossed his mind but he didn't quite feel comfortable enough to do that. What else was he supposed to do?
"Um…" Keith stammered as he looked away from Lance's blue eyes, "Are uh… Are you okay?"
Keith internally groaned. Of course he wasn't okay. You just caught him crying!
"Yeah," Lance choked out with crimson shading his cheeks, "Yeah I'm good."
Keith narrowed his eyes,"You're lying."
Keith thought back to earlier in the day. Lance had to be upset about the decisions of Allura and Shiro. Keith couldn't say he blamed him, but part of him was hurt by Lance's outburst. Was he nothing to the blue paladin?
"Why do you care," Lance said a bit harsher than intended. Luckily Keith was used to it.
The dark haired boy looked away in embarrassment, "Because you're my… friend?"
Lance gave Keith an amused look, "You don't seem so sure."
Keith scoffed, "Maybe I'm not."
Keith must be mad about his earlier attempt at visiting earth. Lance sighed. He knew he should apologize. Keith didn't have any family to go home to. The most he had were the social workers that tried to find him a new home every few months. Other than that, this ship and the paladins were as close to home that he had. They were his family. It must have been a stab to the chest to have your whole family beg to leave.
"Keith," Lance began but Keith suddenly stood.
"I'm gonna go," Keith said, sounding like he was holding back tears of his own. His hands shook by his side which Lance could see even in the dark kitchen corner.
Before Keith had a chance to leave, Lance grabbed hold of his trembling hands. Keith attempted to jerk away on instinct but Lance's grasp was firm.
"Please, listen," Lance begged.
Keith truly wanted to listen, but he was terrified. He was terrified of what Lance would say. He was always waiting for the paladins to push him away like every foster family in that past had done to him. He should have seen it coming, maybe then he wouldn't be so heartbroken. Maybe then he wouldn't have attached himself so much.
But something in Lance's ocean blue eyes told him he should stay and listen. Maybe he'd like what he had to say regardless of the looming terror in the back of his mind.
Keith let out a breathe he hadn't noticed he was holding before sitting down diagonally beside Lance in the corner of the kitchen, He didn't say anything, opting to remain quiet and let Lance speak. There was a bit of an awkward silence as both boys attempted to gather their thoughts.
"Listen," Lance began with a shaky voice, "I understand your past. I don't know much but I know enough."
Keith shifted uncomfortably, not liking the attention on him. But Lance offered him a gentle smile which eased his nerves slightly.
"But I do know that you don't have a family to go back to."
The sting in Keiths chest made a feisty return. Memories of screaming and disappointed elders invaded his mind. He almost thought he might break down then and there.
"And I want you to know, know matter what, we're your family."
Keith's eyes widened, almost doubting the words Lance was saying. He knew he and the the younger paladins had grown closer, but he didn't know they had considered him family as well.
"We'll always be your family," Lance said softly, "and I want my family to be yours too."
Keith snapped his gaze to meet Lanes's soft eyes. Words hung at the end of his tongue. He didn't quite understand, but didn't know how to ask. What had Lance meant? Did he mean what he thought he meant?
"What…?" Keith's managed to ask earning him a tiny grin from Lance.
"I want to share my family with you."
This time it was Keith crying in disbelief. For a moment Lance thought he'd made a mistake He'd thought Keith was going to get even more upset. But he decided to take his chances, and encircled Keith into a hug. The red paladin froze, letting the feeling of comfort set it, before accepted the hug graciously.
Xxx
Pidge was sat in her room, attempting to makeshift some kind of connection to earth with the various tools and equipment she had on hand. After Lance had nearly begged Allura and Shiro to allow a trip back to earth, she couldn't get the thought of her family out of her head. With her brother and father missing, she only really had her mother back on earth. She had no way to contact her from the depths of space and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't seem to reach any earth frequencies.
But that didn't stop her from trying. Over and over again. It was nearing 4 AM and Pidge was still hard at work, tapping away at her computer keys in her dimly lit bedroom. She had run through so many lines of code in her newest program to replicate earth telephones and hopefully strengthen the signal enough to make a call or two. She knew how unlikely it was for that to even happen. It was impossible to create something that strong. But she couldn't stand doing nothing.
She barely noticed the sound of her door sliding opening and found it hard to suppress her jolt of surprise when a new voice started speaking.
"You're up again?" Hunk said with a voice that sounded very much awake as he laid a hand on Pidge's relaxing shoulder.
The smaller of the two remained focused on her work. Lately Hunk had taken notice to Pidge's frequent late night ventures on her laptop. He was worried about her, as was everyone else. Lance and Hunk often had to convince her to get some sleep before she wore herself out. But honestly, Hunk didn't have much room to talk. He was up late enough every night to know of her bad habit.
Being in a space war definitely wasn't easy on the mind. Everyone was plagued with nightmares nearly every night. For someone to stumble into the kitchen in the middle of the night with uneasiness was rather normal on the Altean ship. Every death, every sacrifice, were burned into their mind and haunted them every time they had a moment to breathe.
"I see you are too," Pidge responded without breaking eye contact with her screen.
Hunk took a seat in Pidge's empty chair that he inhabited most nights when they couldn't sleep, "Yeah, good observation."
Pidge took a moment to tear her eyes off of her screen to glare at Hunks obvious sarcasm earning her a slight chuckle.
"Anyway," Hunk gulped as he returned to a more serious tone, "How are you feeling? About this morning?"
Pidge avoided answering the question, "What do you mean?"
Hunk knew Pidge was sensitive when it came to talk about family. After losing her brother and father, she was always on a mission to find them. Now with the topic of earth on everyone's mind, her mother must also be weighing on her shoulders too.
"I know you miss her," Hunk said softly.
Pidge halted her typing as tears began to form in her eyes. She thought of family game nights and awkward conversations about boys with her older brother. She thought of hugs from her mom and the smell of freshly cooked bacon on a Saturday morning. She thought of the dozens of fairy lights scattered around her room illuminating her framed photos of her family and awards.
Pidge suppressed a sob which Hunk took as a sign to wrap his arms around her comfortingly.
"I do," She chocked out with tears streaming down her cheeks, "I miss all of them."
She began to feel something wet on the fabric of her sleeve and pieced together than Hunk was also silently crying after she heard his voice, "I do too Pidge."
Pidge grabbed hold of Hunks arm that was wrapped around her front with anger, "Why wont they just let us go?"
Pidge's voice rose slightly as she clenched her teeth. She was pissed, and that was too put it lightly. She was pissed at Shiro and Allura for keeping her from her family. She was pissed at the lions of Voltron for forcing her into the role of Paladin. She was pissed at the Galaxy Garrison for sending her family on a death trip. She was pissed at Zarkon for causing this giant war that kept her tied to a floating castle in space.
But most of all, she was done.
Pidge suddenly stood, letting Hunks arms drop in confusion. The taller boy stood as well with a questions look as he wiped away the tears that still clung to his face, "What's up?"
Pidge, red-eyed and determined, grabbed a bag from her closet and began stuffing it with various clothing items, equipment, and anything else she could stuff inside.
"Uh…" Hunk eyed her curiously, "Pidge?"
"We're going," She said with a shaky but slightly angry voice as she stuffed her Bayard in her bag.
"Going… where?" Hunk asked with a tiny spark of hope that she would say to earth.
As much as he loved Shiro and Allura and respected them as people, he needed to see his parents. He hadn't even had a chance to say goodbye before he was named Defender of the Universe. He needed a chance to explain things. He needed a chance to tell them that he loved them. He needed to taste his mothers meatballs again and laugh with his father again. He yearned for that familiar comfort.
Even as a 20 year old, he missed the childlike affection from his parents. He missed their family bonding moments. And he'd be damned if only two people stood in the way of him seeing the two people that meant the world to him.
"We're going to see our families," Pidge secured her bag over her shoulders looking at Hunk with determination.
Hunk nodded in agreement, not needing any other convincing from the now 18 year old in front of him who had matured quite a bit in the past years. She was definitely feminine and sported her old longer hair in a ponytail from before she was in the Galaxy Garrison with a tomboyish style. She grew a few inches and now stood closer to Keith's height. She was quite the lady, and everyone on the team was grateful she grew up by their side.
Hunk was proud to have her as his friend.
"Alright Katie," Hunk said, with a smile which Pidge grinned back at, "What's the plan?"
Pidge headed towards her door, grabbing her laptop in the process, "You head to your room and get packed. I'm going to find Lance and Keith. I'm willing to bet neither of them are asleep either."
Hunk's face fell slightly at the realization that Pidge was most likely correct. He doubted any of the four youngest Paladins were in a good state.
"Meet me down in the Lion Hangars when you're done," Pidge said while opening the door.
Hunk nodded as he followed her out of her room, heading for his own as the young lady he was just talking to sped down the opposite end of the hallway.
Suddenly Pidge stopped in her tracks and spun around to face Hunks face, "Oh, Hunk?"
The bigger man, who had his long hair pulled back up into a high ponytail, peered over his shoulder at pidge, "Hm?"
"Don't forget your smile."
Hunk Grinned at the smile on Pidge's face. It had become a saying between the four youngest paladins.
Don't forget your smile.
Don't forget who you are.
Don't let them take your humanity.
It means way more than just smile. It was a way of living. And this time it gave Hunk hope to be happier than he's been in the past three years. Hope to believe.
Xxx
Pidge's footsteps echoed through the corridors of the castle as she searched for Keith and Lance. At first she thought it would be easy to find them considering they likely would be awake. She quickly realized that was false when she had no idea where to find them.
Sighing, Pidge halted in the middle of the hallway, "Think Katie," She whispered with closed eyes, "If I were Lance, where would I go?"
Images of the blue paladin rubbing at sleepy eyes as he stumbled to the kitchen in the middle of the night filled her mind, She'd often seemed his trying to soothe his nightmares with a drink of some sort. She had never though to follow up to see if it worked for future use, so she made a mental note to ask him.
The green paladin headed for the kitchen that Lance frequently visited. She began to worry as she became closer to approaching the entrance. What if they decided against it? What if they thought it was a bad idea? What if they prevented her and Hunk from leaving. Pidge stopped, debating going through with this. If they were going to stop her, she wasn't going to risk it. She'd made up her mind, and she wouldn't let anyone stop her.
But then she remembered, it was Lance who brought up visiting earth. She knew how much Lance missed his family. There's no way he would try to stop her, that is if he didn't want to go himself. Finally, she gathered up the courage to continue her trek.
She made it to her destination shortly later and was slightly surprised to see Keith and Lance hugging. Over the past few years the two have definitely come closer, but still put up that rivalry facade. Pidge knew it was all an act for each of them. They both cared for each other dearly. It was clear especially within the past two years when Shiro began distancing from the rest of the paladins. The four youngest had grown close, often relying on each other to stay sane in this war.
So when Keith and Lance's real feelings for each other slipped out, she wasn't surprised but more grateful. Maybe one day they can drop the act all together.
Pidge cleared her throat as she approached the two boys. They both whipped their heads towards the new party with a blush tinging their cheeks.
"Hey there Romeo and Juliet," She smirked as she headed for the pantry to fill up another bag with multiple water bottles and food items.
"Give us a break Pidge," Lance said weak as he stood, helping Keith up in the process.
Her face softened as she surveyed the two boys, or more, men. Lance had definitely leaned out and grew to be nearly a head taller than Keith, who sadly never grew another inch. Lance still had his signature hair cut, just slightly longer. He was beginning to grow stubble again and Pidge hoped to whatever sentient being that he wouldn't let it grow out like he had a few months ago. Keith had remained the most unchanged, only cutting his hair slightly shorter so his mullet wasn't as noticeable.
But it was their facial expressions that caught Pidge's attention. They both seemed sad but content. She didn't press them, not wanting to get into their business, but she could tell they had just had a rather emotional conversation. And she had a likely idea of what the conversation was about.
"So," Lance began as she inspected Pidge's bag of food, "What are you packing for? Another gaming session?"
Pidge shook her head as she looked Lance in the eyes, "I'm leaving."
Lance blinked, stunned for a moment, "Leaving?"
Keith Joined them, standing next to Lance, "Leaving to where?"
Pidge grinned, "Earth."
Both boys eyes widened, but before they could ask anything else, pidge proposed an idea.
"Hunk and I are leaving in a few minutes. Are you coming with?"
With not even a second though, Lance nodded his head vigorously, "I'll help do whatever I can to prepare."
Pidge offered him a kind smile before turning her attention to Keith who still wore a surprised expression. She began to feel her previous worry surface again and hoped her friend wouldn't prove her fear correct. What if Keith tried to stop her?
"Keith?"
Keith swallowed a lump in his throat as he went over the situation. This could land everyone in danger. This whole thing was so risky, and as the oldest at 21, he felt he should be the voice of reason. But seeing how sad Lance was just moments ago, he couldn't bare to see his friends like that again.
Keith was struggling with a mental battle. He clenched and unclenched his fists as he compared various outcomes of this plan. Ultimately he came to the conclusion, if he didn't go then he wouldn't be able to stop them from going without him. And like hell is he going to let the closest people in his leave without him there to make sure they were okay.
"Okay," Keith finally said, "I'll do."
Pidge and Lance broke out a wide smile. All four of them were going back to earth. It was going to happen. With all four of them together, the plan was nearly fool proof.
Xxx
After packing up their belongings along with some food and water, Pidge led Lance and Keith to the lion hangars where Hunk was patiently waiting. As the three entered the room the yellow paladin rose from his seat, clearly a bit nervous as they all were. They were about to disobey orders from Shiro and Allura. The two had become much more harsh and cruel towards the paladins over the past two years regardless of what Coran tried to reason with them, causing the four to close off from them and form their own clique. It was hardest on Keith considering he and Shiro were always so close, but he felt like more of a disappointment to Shiro than a brother.
The thought of disobeying them never crossed their minds because it just wasn't worth the weeks of mental torment they would give. Challenging them Like Lance had with visiting earth was a feat on it's own. God forbid they disagreed.
They felt more like prisoners than paladins.
But they all held focus in their eyes. They were going to do this, and no one will stop them.
PIdge dropped her bags on the floor with the other boy following her. She whipped open her laptop and began typing away. Hunk and Lance looked over her shoulder curiously as Keith stood watch next to Lance.
"So do you have have a plan?" Lance asked, "I think it goes without saying we can't take the lions."
Pidge nodded, "We're going to take a pod. I'm reprogramming one right now so we can conceal our coordinates along with overriding the castles defense system so it doesn't alert anyone."
Lance nodded, "Smart girl."
The younger girl grinned, "What else would you expect?"
"Guys," Keith interrupted their conversation, "We need to hurry this up. It's getting too close to wake up time."
Pidge's grin faded into a firm line as she typed faster. In a matter of minutes, she was slamming her laptop shut and standing to face the three boys behind her.
"All done?" Hunk asked hopefully.
"Yes but we only have five doboshes to leave before the castle defenses are up and running again," Pidge yanked her back pack on her shoulders while grabbing hold of the bag of food and handing it to Hunk, "Let's get going."
Everyone obeyed, grabbing their own bags. The pod they were taking was one Pidge had modified a few weeks ago. Much to Shiro's displeasure, Pidge had added a rocket launcher and a few other things such as cloaking and some special weapons to protect itself. It was perfect.
As they headed to the pod, they all passed their lions with sad eyes. Even though Shiro and Allura had been ruthless, the lions were still ever calming and were probably the only reason the four of them hadn't left sooner. The lions always had a way of soothing their minds when things got too rough. Like when Allura had laid into Lance for screwing up formation in an air show or when Shiro ignored Pidge for a week because she hadn't stayed back during a dangerous mission. The lions knew them better than they knew themselves it seemed.
Knowing they were short on time, each paladin sent a reassuring nudge to the quintessence of their lions. It wasn't much but it's all they had. They all received the same wave of worry and concern from their respective lions but none of them wavered.
Everyone stopped in front of the pod with three minutes left. Wasting no time, Pidge yanked open the top of the pod with a grunt and hoisted herself inside.
"Alright, I'm going to need to be controlling things through my laptop," Pidge settled herself in one of the back seats of the crowded pod with her laptop in hand, "So who's driving?"
"I will," Keith said quickly earning him a glare from Lance. As much as the younger boy would love to argue to show up Keith, his brain told him this was not the time.
The blue paladin accepted the arrangements and took a seat in the passenger seat beside Keith, Hunk behind him. Once the team was set up, they had a minute and 30 seconds before the castle defenses were up and running.
"Alright Pidge," Keith said, grabbing hold of the controls as the ship came to life, "We ready to go?"
After a few clicks on her laptop, a door opened on their right showing the vast emptiness of space. Keith took a deep breathe, preparing himself for everything he was about to get himself into. He thought about how he was going to betray Shiro, the person he once called a brother. He thought back to his time in the Galaxy Garrison with the older man as his idol. He thought to their long nights on the roof as they discussed their lives and everything they missed and hoped for. How could he do that to him?
But looking to his right, he looked into the deep blue eyes of a boy he'd fallen for in the past years. He'd never fully accepted it, nor had he ever let anyone find out about it, but after his brotherly figure disappeared into whatever he could be described as, he had grown closer to the cuban boy beside him. His late night talks with Shiro had turned into late night talks with Lance. Mainly about the war, nothing personal, but when they did speak about life outside of the ship and the war, it felt so natural. Keith loved it.
But he hated the sadness that often clouded Lance's eyes. He hated the way Shiro and Allura had taken charge of them. He hated the way they've lived the past few years. He hated knowing his family wasn't happy.
He was going to do this, to make them happy again.
Keith looked forward and pulled on the controls in his hand, pulling the ship off of the ground. Once the ships was floating in air, he turned to face the door. With 45 seconds left, he turned to face everyone. He didn't need to say anything. He didn't need to ask them if they were sure, if they were ready. They all gave him a nod of approval which he took as the good to go.
Then the ship was speeding through space, away from the castle which held yesterdays sadness. No one spoke, too wrapped up in their own mind. No one shared their emotions, but it wasn't hard to feel it.
They were excited, but terrified. It'd been three years since they'd seen anyone from earth. How did they know everything was still as they thought it was? What if they were forgotten?
"So," Keith said, breaking the silence, "Do we know where we're going? I don't want to pilot us in the opposite direction."
"Yeah just…" Pidge stuck her tongue out of the corner of her closed mouth as she tried to put together some coordinates, "give me a sec."
It took everything in Hunks power not to snicker and call her cute, which he knew would only piss her off. But what else are friends for?
"There!" She cheered as the windowed pod lit up with directions to planet earth, "We should be there in about three quintants."
The three boys groaned at her time estimation.
"Three?" Lance complained as he turned to face Pidge in his seat, "I can't be stuck in a tiny pod for three quintants."
"I gotta agree with Lance," Hunk chimed in, "Is there anyway to speed that up?"
"Guys," Keith added nervously, "There's not much we can do about the timing. We're going to have to take what we can get."
Keith knew that everyone was emotional about visiting earth and was afraid to overstep any boundaries. He never was a people person. But Lance and Hunk both seemed to agree with him as they slunk back into their seats.
"Well," Pidge began typing away again, "If we use that booster I added, then we will be able to get there faster. The only issue is we'd go through fuel rapidly and will need to stop at nearby planets to refill the pod a few times."
"Uh," Hunk pointed his finger in the air, "I think you're also forgetting about when you put one of those boosters in a pod before."
"Yeah, Lance said turning around again, "It nearly blew up Keith and Allura. What if it backfires again?"
"But I survived," Keith said with a grin that Pidge was grateful for.
"Yeah Lance," Pidge crossed her arms with a smug look, "He survived. And besides I thought you two were the ones who wanted to get to earth faster."
"Yeah! If it doesn't turn me into space soup!" Lance exclaimed.
"I think you're forgetting something Mister Lancelot," Keith took enjoyment in the glare the boy shot him, "That was three years ago. Our residential genius has made this upgrade to various other pods that have all been successful. She did this pod just a few weeks ago."
"We'll be fine," Pidge added, trying to sooth Hunk and Lance's worry.
Lance sighed defeated, "Alright alright, you're right."
Keith smiled at Lance's acceptance. He was always a terrible leader, but when Shiro had practically abandoned them as a friend, Keith had taken up the role. It took some time but he got the hang of it. He'd often come up with better plans on missions that, yes, got them in trouble with Shiro and Allura, but they were almost always more efficient. He'd learned how to handle Lance, Hunk, and Pidge in nearly every scenario.
Pidge smiled, "Then our trip will be cut from three quintants to one and half."
"That's better than three," Hunk agreed.
"Then it's settled," Keith looked at his directions that pidge had given him, "We'll engage the booster and stop at the next planet to refuel. Which is… Tyla. Home of the Tylarians."
"Tylarians," Hunk asked with a raised eyebrow, "Aren't they those music fanatics?"
"They sound peaceful," Lance said as he looked at the planets location on the map.
"That's our next stop. Pidge, "Keith attracted Pidge's attention, "Let's get that booster up and running."
"You got it," Pidge said with a devious grin.