Pidge had always had a crush on Lance.

She remembers when it started.

Shortly after she had revealed that she was a girl, and after the events with the Balmera, the two paladins hit it off.

Their main source of bonding? Hunk's crush on Shay.

The two had sat up for hours, with their heads low, discussing the best ways to matchmake.

Their work was for nought. Shay didn't have any communication devices, and Hunk was busy with Paladin duties.

But when Lance ruffled her hair and bid her goodnight, it hit her.

Oh.

Oh no.

She liked him.

The girl had never been brought up with how to act around guys. She was more focused on coding and engineering.

She was a Paladin of Voltron! She had to find her family! She had no time for this!

So, she did what she did best. She threw herself into her work.

She refused to come out of the hanger for days. If she was lucky, these… feelings would go away on their own.

But they didn't. They only grew stronger.

Lance would come and check on the busy girl, who wouldn't spare him a word. But he would sit down next to her, holding a plate of Hunk's food, and would nudge her to eat because "while you should stop this, you need to eat if you want to continue."

And the thought that Lance cared about her made her flush.

So, the Green Paladin decided to come out of her slump, mumbling something to the others about a really fascinating project.

Pidge regretted tormenting Hunk all of those days because when they were alone, he would wink at her and say Lance, and she would become a stumbling, blushing mess.

But these feelings will pass, once she saw how stupid Lance was, and how much of a flirt he was. He wouldn't waste time on someone like her.

But her jealousy still flared up whenever she saw the Blue Paladin flirting. And asking about Allura with a puppy dog face. So hopelessly in love.

And her disgust flared up whenever she saw herself in the mirror. Wondering why she couldn't be more. Why she couldn't fill his needs and make him want her. Why she couldn't be taller, and curvier and just more.

But she had a mission to find her family. And nothing was going to make her forget that. She didn't have time to worry about some dumb boy.

So, she stayed silent. She let Lance have his fun.

Why should their friendship fade, just because she had this stupid curse? She would comfort him when he was sad, or heartbroken or homesick, and he would do the same for her.

It was a nice dynamic.

One that changed once they got the game system.

The two would stay up all night, laughing with each other and fighting with each other. Much like before, but it felt more intimate.

Waking up leaned against him after a late night of gaming wasn't uncommon. And he would always whisper jokes about the game to her, making her crack up laughing in the middle of serious meetings.

But everything changed when Shiro left.

Lance was dealing with switching lions, and Pidge was desperately trying to find answers.

She came up here to find her family. She would be damned if she lost her friend-family too.

So, their game sessions ceased.

When the girl was forced to sleep, she was still kept awake. Thinking about Lance. Wishing the two could figure out their issues and continue with their game.

She would never admit it, but she missed waking up to his shoulder.

Seeing Lance pine after Allura hurt.

She was so obviously crushing on Lotor, and Lotor obviously returned those feelings.

Lance was setting himself up for heartbreak.

There was another girl on board! That's right! It was her! Pidge Holt!

But it didn't matter, because Pidge was over him. She didn't have feelings for the boy.

"I don't!" Pidge insisted to Hunk when their argument over double modulating got too intense.

Hunk hummed in response, not taking his eyes off of his work, "Yeah yeah, I believe you,"

"He said, you know, like a liar," Pidge said, mimicking the meme.

"You got me there," Hunk shrugged. Pidge stuttered, before deciding there was no way she was going to win.

"He's just so…" Pidge trailed off.

"Handsome? Flirty? Kind?" Hunk offered.

"Stupid!" Pidge whined.

"Yes, that's exactly how to win someone over. Call them stupid," Hunk said, rolling his eyes.

"Allura definitely isn't interested, but he keeps pining over her anyway," Pidge said, "And before you say anything, I know it's hypocritical,"

Hunk stayed silent, knowing just to let Pidge talk.

"Feelings are hard," Pidge groaned.