Disclaimer: Welcome, one and all, to my 30th fan fic! YAY! Oh and yeah, I don't own Voltron that's Dreamworks and Netflix. Trying out a new fandom everybody! I worked so hard on this. It was meant to just be a one-shot, but since it grew to be so large I decided that as I edit it, I'd post it up in parts. This is the story of how Hunk first met Lance. Starting them on the path to become Best Leg Buddies! Since it's all written out, I'll hopefully be able to post up a new chapter every other day. So sit back, relax, and I hope you enjoy it!

~~Balance~~

~By: Mists~

~Overcast~

Hunk nervously tugged at the hem of his yellow Hawaiian shirt. Today was the day. And, oh boy was he freaking out! Having just moved to the area, his parents wanted their little ball of sunshine to venture out and try to make some friends. First impressions were totally important! Especially, for a seven-year-old. He couldn't mess this up! Hunk's breathing rapidly increased. "No! Not a panic attack! Not now!" he ruefully thought, balling his fists into his shirt.

Anxiety had always been a huge problem for Hunk. Back in his old town, the large boy had been constantly ridiculed for everything under the sun. His hair, his intelligence, his size, but especially for his fear of... well everything. The world was positively brimming with uncertainties! How could people possibly stand it? It dove him crazy! The other children just didn't understand, and simply called him a "Scaredy Cat." Well... lions were cats and they weren't scared! So there!

Anyway, that's why it was crucial everything went perfectly today. Their new home was known for its vast beaches, and crystal clear water. Summer vacation was almost at an end, and Hunk's mom wanted to encourage him to make friends before the start of school. Hoping that this would help make the transition easier, she signed him up for daily swimming lessons at the local pool. Believing that the smaller group of children would help ease Hunk's fears about meeting new people.

But honestly, the boy wasn't so sure this would work. The ocean, and pretty much all water in general, sorta terrified him. So his anxiety levels were still pretty high. Give him dry land and an issue of "Popular Mechanics" any old day and he'd be one hundred percent content.

To him, water was well... dark and foreboding. Like the living embodiment of the unknown! There were times when you couldn't even see the bottom and- Oh man! There he went again, staring to hyperventilate. For once in his life, couldn't he just catch a break? Why couldn't his mom let him stay safe at home and play with his building blocks? Hunk didn't really need friends, h-he was fine being on his own. It came with being an only child after all, right? And Hunk had his cousins and his parents, too. So technically, he wasn't alone. Not that he was lonely or anything, but... that's not the same as having a friend your own age. And yeah, his extended family didn't live close by; especially after the move... But that was okay! Really, he could handle it! Was trying to make a friend worth all this effort? Usually, it just ended up hurting him in the end. Knowing that he was... weird and... unwanted...

The dark-haired boy fought back the tears building in his eyes. Breaking down about it wouldn't solve anything.

With a sudden jolt, Hunk felt the car come to a complete stop. Instantly, his terrified eyes snapped towards the window. They had arrived. It took everything he had to hold back the sick feeling bubbling in his stomach. That's all he needed right now, to hurl up his lunch the second he arrived!

Yeah, this was getting off to a great start...

After his mom put his water wings and sunscreen on, she gently took Hunk's hand and led him towards the pool area. A bunch of kids were already there, splashing and running all over the place. Reflexively, Hunk flinched back as a blond boy came tumbling over to the fence, yelling, "Hey, guys! There's a new kid here!"

The other children, playing by the side of the pool, excitedly jumped up and joined him. "Wow, he looks kinda big. Wonder how old he is?" one of the boys mused as the others audibly gulped. The blond boy next to him appeared unimpressed though. "Can't be that old. Look, he's still wearing arm floaties!"

"Nick. Cut it out, not everyone can swim yah know," a little brown-haired girl scolded with an exaggerated roll of her eyes.

"Then what's he doing at the pool, Sally?" he taunted in return, sticking out his tongue.

Hunk missed what was said next, because someone beside him suddenly exclaimed, "Hi, there!"

His head snapped up in attention and clung to his mother's arm in fright.

"Oh, honey. I'm sorry," the young woman apologized, crouching down in front Hunk so he could meet her eyes. "Didn't mean to startle you."

The brown-haired woman appeared to be in her late teens, she was tan with dark brown eyes, and wore a red, one piece bathing suit. An embarrassed blush stretched across Hunk's face as he shyly glanced up at her. "T-That's okay."

"Oh my gosh!" the blond boy dramatically gasped from behind the fence. "He's actually scared of Maria!"

The woman's kind eyes narrowed for a moment, casting an annoyed look over at the opinionated child. "What was that, Nick? Because that sounded like your butt getting put in 'Time Out.'"

This threat made the boy grumble, before hurriedly nudging his friends to scatter.

"Yeah, you'd better run yah brat," she said under her breath, before turning her attention back to Hunk. "So anyway, my name's Maria and I'll be your swimming instructor. Ready to learn, kiddo?" Slowly, she reached out a friendly hand for him to take.

For a hesitant moment, Hunk glance up at his mom and then back to Maria. "Yeah, sure. Okay," he nervously agreed, before grabbing it and following along with her to the shallow part of the pool.

A group of what appeared to be three and four-year-olds were already floating there with their moms and dads. And suddenly, poor Hunk had the horrific realization, that he was the oldest child taking the class. He felt utterly mortified!

Hunk's mother then chose that exact moment to glance down at her watch. "I'll be back in a few hours sweetie! Don't give Maria any trouble, okay? Be good!"

And before he could voice a single protest in response, she had already left the gated area and climbed back into her car.

"I- uh, so aren't the other kids," he nervously asked, pointing at Nick and the older children swimming around the deep end, "taking lessons, too?"

"Hmm? Oh, no. The shallow part is roped off, so that the others can still play while it's going on. Don't worry, you'll be swimming along side them in no time!" she encouraged, leading the boy into the shallows. It... wasn't very deep. And with Hunk's natural height, his torso was barely even submerged.

As the boy forlornly watched a mother teaching her young toddler, a nasty snicker drifted over to Hunk from the deep end. "Would you look at that loser? Nothing but an overgrown baby!"

With a depressing sigh, the poor boy ducked down as far as he could go and blew irritated bubbles out his nose. "Great, just great. Well there goes that dream... Knew I'd never be able to make any friends..." he thought, trying to listen to Maria's welcome speech. But honestly, his heart just wasn't in it anymore.

To Be Continued...

Author's Notes: Well that's the first part guys! Next up, Lance makes his dramatic totally awesome entrance! Oh, yeah! Also, let me know if you like the cover art too. It turned out SO cute! And if you like the story so far, please read, fav, and review! Totally love getting feedback! More to come soon!