"Goofball," Lance scoffed to himself. "Red wouldn't let a goofball pilot her."

He stepped out from the Red Lion's cockpit. At the sight of his new audience—namely, three very attractive, very female Yoo-hoo's (or whatever the aliens who lived here were called)—he immediately plastered on his famous grin.

He wasn't necessarily faking it… those gals were hot… but he wasn't exactly feeling it this time, either. He'd been thinking about what Pidge had said.

Just a big goofball.

No one had disagreed.

Am I still just the seventh wheel?

Usually at least Shiro would stick up for him, and as the new leader, half of Lance had expected Keith to fill in that role—or at least try to—but no one had said anything.

He missed Shiro.

But then… what would happen if he returned?

Blue wouldn't respond to him anymore—she had chosen Allura instead. The Red Lion had taken him in, sure, but he suspected it was because even the Lions knew how much the universe needed Voltron, and Blue was better equipped for the princess.

Pidge and Hunk had, thankfully, been able to remain in their original Lions. But when Shiro returned to pilot the Black Lion, Keith would have to step down. And Red still seemed pretty attached to him—whenever Lance piloted Red, he could feel that he and Red both knew it was only a temporary deal.

But Blue… she didn't want him anymore. Their connection was gone. And, if Lance was honest with himself, he could see that Allura held a lot of potential with the Lion. The princess had bonded with Blue faster than he had, and already she was using Blue's special sonar function. Allura was a better pilot for Blue.

If—no, when—they found Shiro, he would obviously resume flying the Black Lion. Then Keith would pilot Red again, and Allura would—should—stay with Blue.

But that would leave him without a lion.

"…And Lance is the goofball!" Pidge's voice rang in his ears.

It stung his memory like a stubbed toe, but the realization hit him like an eighteen-wheeler truck.

Pidge was right.

When Shiro came back, Lance decided that he would step down. He needed to, Voltron needed him to, whether he wanted to stay or not. Might as well save them the trouble of asking me to resign…

Lance took a calming breath before he beamed his award-winning smile all the brighter.