Lance helps Hunk walk over to the fire Keith had started earlier, casting a concerned look at the barely conscious Shiro as they pass by him. Pidge had gone with Keith to search for food, which was a good thing, but they'd left over an hour ago. Lance worries his lip as he settles Hunk down on the emergency blanket they'd found in the escape pod.

Lance had elected to stay with Hunk and Shiro to care for them, and indeed, Hunk was already looking better after they'd washed his face together by the lake they'd landed next to. The water tasted funny, but Pidge had deemed it safe after a quick scan. Lance always thought it was a little odd how Pidge carried her datapad with her everywhere, but apparently it really comes into handy when crashing on an unfamiliar planet with suspicious water sources.

"There we go," Lance says encouragingly as he helps Hunk sit down. He glances at Shiro and frowns, noting that Shiro had fallen asleep on the ground. Should he wake him and help him wash in the lake as well? Or should he just let the man rest?

"...you're sure this is a friendly planet?" Lance asks for the fifth time as he sits down next to Hunk, warming his hands over the fire. He doesn't like the idea of Keith and Pidge wandering around, weak and hungry, with the planet's sun rapidly setting behind them.

Hunk looks up at the question, blowing at his chilled hands to try and warm them up.

"I know as much as you do, buddy," he says gently and reaches out a hand to squeeze Lance's hand. "Lotor had said this was neutral ground for Galra and others, so, it should be safe."

Lance sighs. He knows this is the planet where Lotor had decided to hold the exchange with Sendak. Keith had entered the coordinates, but Lotor hadn't elaborated much about it at the time. And Lance had no reason to ask, he'd only been worried about what he was going to say to Sendak once he sees him.

So much for that, Lance thinks dully. It's difficult to imagine it having gone any worse.

Hunk rolls his shoulders and looks up at the sky.

"It's safe enough that we can rest here. It's our only option, really."

They both glance at the dented escape pod. Even if it wasn't broken, escape pods were only good for so long. They need a real ship. They need money. Shelter.

Hunk turns back to look at Lance with a tired smile.

"Bud, you can take a nap. I'll wake you up when the others get back."

"No, I'm supposed to watch over you two," Lance insists and lowers his hands to his lap. It wasn't like he'd be able to sleep until he knew that Keith was safe, anyways.

Hunk chuckles and tucks an arm around him.

"Then who's gonna watch over you, Lance?" He asks, hugging him a little and letting him settle against him. "We'll be okay," he reassures gently and meets Lance's eyes. "Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someday."

Lance closes his eyes as he leans against Hunk's shoulder, always so comfortable and warm. He isn't sure he believes Hunk's words, but he's glad to hear them.

"How can you be so sure?" He asks, voice barely over a whisper.

Hunk exhales.

"I can't be, none of us can," he reasons, "but we've survived, somehow, our own personal prisons," he looks down at Lance. "I don't know what's next, Lance. Or if we ever get home. But I'm just so glad you're okay."

Tears brim in his eyes.

"I couldn't bear to lose my best friend again." Hunk lets out a shaking breath. "So I have to believe that us being together again, even if it's in this state… I gotta believe that means something. That things will get better, with us together."

Tears well up in Lance's eyes as well, and he tries to blink them away.

"You're so corny," Lance says with a small laugh. "Don't ever change, Hunk. You hear me?"

He turns, wrapping his arms around Hunk, and thinks that he must've done something very good in one of his past lives to deserve someone like Hunk.

Hunk cracks a smile.

"Yeah, I promise not to," he says, hugging Lance back. As they do, they hears brambles snap and look up to see Pidge and Keith emerge from the thicket.

"You're back," Hunk notes with a smile.

Keith sets down a bundle of forged items next to the fire, and Pidge marches towards the lake without a word.

"We didn't know what was safe to eat," Keith says with a grunt and turns to Hunk. "D'you mind...?"

Hunk rolls up his sleeves and carefully extracts himself from Lance's arms as he gets up to inspect their findings.

"Thanks," Keith says gratefully and finally turns to look at Lance.

The tension slowly ebbs out of Lance's shoulders as Keith approaches. Good. He's safe. He shifts on the blanket, making room for Keith as he sits down next to him.

"How was foraging?" Lance asks conversationally, hugging his knees to his chest as he stares at the dancing flames.

"Prickly," Keith mutters, pulling a bramble leaf from his hair. "But good, I think," he adds gently and reaches out to squeeze Lance's hand.

Lance snorts and gives Keith a cursory once-over. He looks tired and dirty, but the worrying bloodstains have long since dried. They're going to have to wash the cuts, though, and disinfect them as soon as they can.

Lance reaches out and brushes a smudge of dirt off Keith's cheek.

"Did Shiro or Hunk give you any trouble?" Keith speaks up, a soft smile on his lips.

"Nah, Hunk and I were having a bonding moment," Lance grins, "and Shiro is taking a much needed nap. Finally. Didn't get to wash him off before, though."

Keith nods, a faint blush visible on his cheeks in the firelight.

"Good. That's good," he says absently and lets out a breath. "I'm sorry," he mumbles. "I'm sorry we weren't able to get Vhix." He glances at Lance before looking away.

Lance's smile disappears and his throat immediately constricts. He takes a shallow breath, hoping to keep the tears at bay.

"It's not your fault," Lance says in a thick voice. "I couldn't find the right words."

"It is," Keith insists, "if I had just gotten Vhix... When I had you, none of this would've happened." He curls his hand and squeezes his eyes. "I won't stop," he looks up at Lance, "I'll find a way, this was my fuck up."

He presses his lips together in a thin line.

"I'll do whatever it takes to give you the future you deserve, Lance."

Lance turns to look back at the fire, not trusting himself to speak. In truth, he doesn't want to talk about Vhix. About the choice he made. It's still too raw, too painful. But does he even deserve a reprieve? If anything, he deserves to feel guilty about abandoning his son every second, every day, for the rest of his life.

"You can't get him back," Lance says quietly. "We had a chance, and I blew it. We're lucky to be alive."

Keith reaches out and takes Lance's chin.

"You were put in an impossible situation," he says and brushes some hair behind Lance's ear. "And you know I have no love for Sendak, but you chose me," he smiles wanly, "and there's nothing I can say or do that can make up for that."

He presses their lips together in a brief kiss.

"But I swear to you, I will not rest until you have your son back, do you understand?"

The tears finally win, and Lance sniffs as they roll down his cheeks. He ducks his head under Keith's chin and shakily inhales his scent in an attempt to collect himself.

"I can't raise my hopes up again, Keith," Lance says shakily. "I just can't."

Keith bites his lip and holds Lance close.

"Just... All I ask is you to have faith in me. I'll look after you, Lance," Keith whispers. "All I've ever wanted is you to be happy and safe." He pulls back to brush Lance's tears away.

"Whatever that means for you, that's what I'll do," he smiles, and there are mirroring tears in his eyes.

Lance swallows thickly and tries to return Keith's smile.

"Well... What do you want?" Lance asks and rests his head against Keith's shoulder. "Aside from getting yourself killed on Sendak's ship?"

Keith's smile drops.

"I told you what I want," he says stiffly, pulling back a little.

Lance frowns and sits up.

"Look, you don't owe me for saving your life, okay? I'm the one who forced you into all this. If I hadn't taken advantage of you, then your life wouldn't have been in danger in the first place," Lance says crisply.

"So assuming we survive this planet, what do you think we should do? Where would you want to go?"

Keith bristles and he looks at Lance with a frown.

"Is that what you think? Lance, neither of us were in control during that night, this is not your fault," he says resolutely.

Keith leans back and throws an arm over his eyes.

"I'd want to go away, so far fucking away from all of this," he admits.

Lance's irritation fades and he gently pries Keith's arm from his face. He sees the tears and before he can stop himself, Lance leans down to kiss the corner of Keith's eye.

"I second that," he says softly.

Keith offers him a small smile.

"I still want to get your son back, but whatever you decide, Lance," he reaches out and cups his cheek. "I'll help you," he whispers. "It's your turn to choose what you want."

Lance manages to return Keith's smile this time. He lowers himself down onto the blanket, and tugs Keith down with him as well.

"I want to go to sleep," Lance declares and curls against Keith's side. "And you should too."

Keith lets out a huff.

"Who am I to fight you," he says and throws an arm around Lance's shoulder. He looks at him and smiles sadly as he presses his lips to Lance's forehead.

"Sleep well."

.x.

Lance would usually be the first one to march right up to a vendor and start haggling with them over a hunk of meat or an overpriced toy truck for his nephew. But Lance doesn't have it in him right now. The charm. The flirting. Not even the friendly demeanour.

In fact, he's feeling rather hollow. But Hunk, Pidge and Shiro need medical supplies and they all need food and a place to rest their heads. Without any GAC, Lance isn't sure how they're going to make it through a second night.

"They think we're thieves," Lance frowns and clings a little tighter to Keith's arm. "You'll see, soon the whole market will know about us and no one will sell us anything."

Keith looks down at him and manages a smile.

"Clearly you forgot I grew up with nothing," he says, patting Lance's arm before bumping into someone.

A safe distance away, Keith unclenches his fist and reveals a handful of coins.

"I said I'd take care of you," he hums.

Lance gives Keith a blank stare.

"Great, now we are thieves," he mutters under his breath and follows Keith to the nearest booth. The owner looks at them with a frown, and even with his one eye he manages to look disapproving.

"How much for medical supplies and a job?" Keith asks with an unwavering expression.

"I don't need some stranger with only two arms," the owner says dismissively, waving his third arm. "But I can sell you the medical supplies. What do you need?"

Keith offers a gritted smile.

"Any gauze or pain med you got," Keith replies. "And the job isn't for me, it's for my mate. He can sell just about anything."

Lance blinks, unprepared for the single eye to suddenly focus on him with crippling intensity. He stares back, however, and manages what he hopes is a confident grin.

He isn't in the mood for this, but he doesn't have a choice.

"Those bangles suit you, sir," Lance says and takes a step forward, reaching for a scarf on display. "This scarf would go well with them. It matches the color of your eyes- er, eye."

Not his best pitch, but it's the best he can think of on the spot. The owner gives him a long, critical look.

"The medical supplies are 20 GAC," he states, "and I'll give you a trial run. Not sure about your skills, but you'll definitely grab some attention. Come back tomorrow morning."

Once the exchange is complete, Keith grabs Lance's free hand and they turn to go. He looks at Lance and smiles nervously.

"It's just temporary, I'll look for a job too 'til we can get a ship and find a way home."

They continue to walk in companionable silence until they reach the edge of the market. Keith pauses and squeezes Lance's hand.

"You do want to go home, right?"

Lance shrugs. They'd settled ongoing as far away as possible, and Earth was far enough, he supposes.

"Where else can we go?"

Keith shakes his head. "Space is huge, Lance. We could go anywhere we want."

Lance is quiet for a moment.

"We've changed so much," he says slowly. "Are you sure you want to go home?"

Keith looks thoughtful as he meets Lance's eyes.

"Earth was never really home, but it's where the others want to go," he admits. "I didn't feel anything close to peace until I met Shiro. So I... I think you are a part of that, too," he says with a faint blush. "I guess I'm trying to say, wherever you wanna go, it's where I want to be."

Lance bites his lip.

"I mean, of course, I want to see my family again, and they won't notice anything at first. But what if- what if we want kids?" Lance says, the words cutting through his chest. Talking about kids when he already has one that misses him. He swallows thickly.

"How do we explain something like that?"

Keith brushes some hair from Lance's eyes. "Then we'll figure it out," he says, then pauses. "We'll get a surrogate, we'll adopt. We can do whatever you're comfortable with and if we have to explain... We'll do it together," he whispers. "He doesn't control your body anymore, Lance. It's your decision now."

Lance takes a deep breath and shakes his head. He doesn't want to talk about this, not really. Not right now. It's too fresh. He shouldn't have brought it up.

"Home it is," he says quickly and starts to walk again, shifting the weight of the gauze in his arms.

Keith nods and slips his arm around Lance's waist as they walk to their makeshift camp. The pod lays on its side, and the fire had long gone out. Pidge is dozing against Hunk's shoulder, and Lance's expression softens as he sees Shiro making a weak attempt at lighting the fire anew.

He sits down on the ground next to the embers and watches as Keith and Shiro try and succeed together at lighting a new one.

"Hey," Hunk yawns, trying not to disturb Pidge. "How was the market?"

"Big," Lance says and lifts up a pack of gauze and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. He keeps wondering how remote alien planets get their hands on Earth products. Maybe during all of those alien sightings.

"We got medical supplies," he hums and walks over to Hunk, settling down next to him and carefully disinfection the gash on Hunk's forehead. "There are some pain meds, too."

"Were you always so good at this?" Hunk asks with a smile and closes his eyes. "I don't remember you being good at this when we were in the Garrison."

Lance raises a brow.

"I guess it's just something the druids programmed me with," he wonders out loud as he starts to apply a new patch of gauze. "I'm perfect housewife material now."

Hunk winces at that and reaches out to cover Lance's hand in his, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"Nah, if you're a housewife," he says gently. "Then that makes you a hero too. Saved my life, at least."

Lance, for the life of him, cannot remember when exactly he'd saved Hunk's life. If anything, he'd left him to die and was the cause for extra lashes by Hunk's Galra master. But he doesn't have it in him to argue. He gives a noncommittal hum and finishes dressing Hunk's wound before wrapping his arms around Hunk's shoulders in a gentle hug.

"I'm sorry I haven't always been a good friend to you," he whispers. "I should've done so much more for you. I've been so, so selfish. I don't deserve you. Any of you."

Hunk returns the hug.

"Buddy," he whispers, "you made the best of a really awful situation." He holds him close. "We can't dwell on 'should've', because, well, we're here. We're as together as we could possibly be."

They don't speak it, but the absence of Allura and Coran is palpable.

"And we're making the best of it," Hunk adds. "I think after all we've all been through, we all deserve each other, huh?" He nudges Lance's shoulder.

Lance snorts.

"I guess, if you put it like that," Lance mumbles and gives Hunk a careful squeeze before pulling away. He looks over at Pidge and bites his lip.

"Should we wake her up?"

Hunk shakes his head.

"She was up almost all night trying to construct some kind of transmitter to send to Earth. She's hoping her dad will get the message... She needs the sleep," he explains. He looks around and raises a brow.

"Not enough money for food I take it?" At Lance's shake of the head, Hunk nods. "I'll go scavenge."

Lance frowns.

"Are you sure you're up to it? I can go. Or send Keith."

Hunk shakes his head. "I could use the walk. And the fresh air," he says reassuringly. "I'll shout if anything comes up."

"...okay," Lance says, still unsure, but if Hunk wants to go then there's no stopping him. He watches him leave and gives Pidge another look before walking over to where Keith and Shiro were sitting next to the fire, speaking in low tones.

"Hey," Lance says as he sits down next to Shiro. He waves the gauze and alcohol in his hands. "You're up next."

Shiro offers a stiff smile and delicately takes off the bloodied shirt wrapped around the gash on his flesh arm. His eyes go back to Keith.

"So, we rest here, and try to get some funds to transport back to Earth?"

Keith nods.

"The only thing we can do now is warn Earth," he reasons. "We don't have Lotor or the Lions," Keith exhales. "We're on our own."

Lance silently cleans the wound on Shiro's arm with the alcohol, murmuring an apology as Shiro jumps from the burn. Once he's satisfied that the gash is clean, Lance starts to apply the gauze, careful and gentle.

Shiro is quiet, contemplative.

"Then that's what we will do," he says and turns to look at Lance with a tired smile.

"Thanks, Lance. Keith told me you got a job. Better than any of us have done so far."

Lance rolls his eyes, but he can't bite back the pleased smile at Shiro's compliment. Despite everything, he still is kind of his idol.

"More like Keith got me the job. And it's not much, the stand owner basically said I look weird enough to grab a customer's attention without even trying."

Shiro shakes his head.

"No, Keith demanded something, but you got it," he points out, earning an eyeroll from Keith. "For right now, Lance," he says gently, "it's about the little wins. Thanks for getting us one." He squeezes his hand.

Lance looks at Shiro, a little dazed, before flushing and pulling his hand back.

"Uh, right. Yeah. Totally. You've got it," he says quickly, stumbling over his words.

Shiro chuckles. "No problem, Lance," he says and stands up. "I'm going to check on Pidge."

Shiro isn't gone for a second before Keith scoots closer and nudges him.

"You're, uh, a little red."

"Shut up," Lance huffs and makes a show of trying to push Keith away. He's unsuccessful.

Keith smiles in return and kisses Lance plain on the mouth, his lips lingering.

"I know how to make you redder," he teases, his own cheeks beginning to mirror Lance's.

As if on cue, Lance feels his face grow even hotter.

"Oh my god, that was terrible," Lance groans and turns to look away, hiding his face away from the light of the fire. "Stop looking so smug!"

"I can't help it!" Keith protests and kisses along Lance's exposed skin. Lance's breathing grows a little shallow as Keith kisses along the nape of his neck.

"I'm out of practice with all this... Stuff," Keith mumbles, his thumbs brushing Lance's knuckles as he pulls him close to press their foreheads together.

Lance's lips quirk in a small smile at Keith's admission.

"I dunno," Lance raises a brow, "you didn't seem out of practice this morning."

Keith snorts.

"No, no, not that shit," he huffs, his cheeks rosy. "The, uh, am I doing the romantic stuff good?" He asks. "I've never really done stuff like this."

Lance's smile softens.

"Yeah, you're doing good," he reassures him and dips forward to press a kiss to Keith's lips. When he pulls away, his smirk is back.

"But you should probably ask me before pimping me out again."

Keith flinches.

"Yeah. You're right, that was shitty of me. You don't have to do the job, I just... I can do it." He says quickly. "Or we look at something else. It was just a risk, I didn't know if it would work."

Lance shakes his head and runs his hand down Keith's arm.

"No, it's okay, I want to do it. Just warn me next time, okay?" Keith nods, guilt in his pale expression.

Lance pauses for a moment before leaning forward and nosing Keith's neck.

"Tell me the truth," he whispers. "I'm a horrible parent, aren't I?"

For all of his unwillingness to talk about Vhix, Lance can't stop himself from bringing him up. He's searching for absolution, but even when Keith or Hunk give it to him, Lance refuses to accept it. He's sick of himself, and he's certain that his friends will be, too. If they aren't already.

Keith takes Lance's hands and gives him a somber look.

"My mother abandoned my dad and me when I was... I must've been really young. I don't even remember her," he pauses. "I think she must've been Galra, she must've been," he whispers, hands shaking.

"And if that's true... I can understand why she did. I'm angry about it, I mean I was, but now," He pulls his hand away to rub at his neck. "It's weird being two things, not knowing you were another thing in the first place."

Keith takes a deep breath.

"I think... I think Sendak cares about your son. I think he will be loved and cared for." He bites his lip. "I don't think you're a horrible parent... I don't think you got the chance to be anything." He meets Lance's gaze.

"Sorry... I don't think I answered your question."

Lance is quiet. He's never heard Keith speak about his parents before. Or about his mixed heritage. He swallows thickly and looks away, choosing to wrap his arms around Keith's hips and press his cheek to Keith's chest.

He smells like smoke.

"No, it helps," he says quietly. "I just... I just wish there was a way- oh my god," Lance's eyes widen and a fresh new wave of guilt washes over him. "I completely forgot about Azul!"

Keith slips his arms around him.

"I know you said you didn't want me to," he says quietly, "but I still think I should-"

Lance shakes his head violently.

"No, we can't try again," Lance states. "All of you were almost killed yesterday. There's no way I'd let you go without me, and don't think Sendak would let me go a second time. I can't risk you, any of you, dying because of me," he says miserably.

Keith exhales and wraps Lance into a tight hug.

"I know," he whispers. "I... I'm sorry, Lance."

Lance clings to Keith, trying to find comfort in his mere proximity. And though his silent tears dry on his cheeks, he can't make the pain go away. Lance doesn't feel like he has the right to even try.

Now, more than ever, he wishes he could speak to his mother. She always knows what to say.

.x.

Hunk eventually returns and dinner is silently served. Lance eats his portion, not because he's hungry, but because Keith has been eyeing him like a hawk. He wouldn't be surprised if Keith took it upon himself to force feed him.

When he'd first been taken by Keith to Lotor's ship, Lance felt guilty about putting anything in his mouth at all. It was his job to feed Vhix, his baby, and he'd failed miserably. Logically, Lance knows Sendak must've found another food source for their son, but still. His body didn't know that, and his chest would hurt in more ways than one when he thought about it.

But ever since his heat and his fresh bond with Keith, Lance's body changed. It stopped producing milk. As if it already knew that his job as a parent was over. As if it knows that he'd abandoned his baby.

It's almost as if Vhix had never existed. The druids didn't leave one scar on his body during the delivery. Lance wishes they had. His body might be moving on, but Lance's heart is still stuck in Sendak's bed, holding his baby close and rocking him to sleep.

Dinner finally ends and everyone scatters to their own beds, wishing each other a good night and leaving Keith and Lance next to the fire for the first guarding shift. It technically was Keith's shift, but Lance doesn't think he'd be able to fall asleep in the dark on his own. Not like this.

"Do you... Are you up to talking about it?" Keith eventually asks, breaking the silence.

Lance looks away.

"...that's the problem," he says dully. "If I talk about it, it hurts. If I don't talk about it, it hurts. You must be sick of me crying all the time."

Keith reaches out and brushes Lance's cheek.

"I'm not... But we don't have to talk."

Lance manages a small, grim smile.

"Well, I am. And I'm definitely sick of being in my own head so please, tell me something new."

Keith returns the smile.

"I'll try-" he coughs and looks up at the stars. "We could make new constellations?" He suggests, pointing up. "We are in uncharted territory. We could make anything we want."

Blinking, Lance looks up at the sky. He hadn't even thought of raising his gaze above the ground. Which is odd, because his sisters used to tease him about how his head was always in the clouds and that he needed to look where he was going.

With Hunk's comment and his own recent observation, Lance wonders how much exactly he's changed from the person he used to be on Earth. It isn't... It isn't just his body, is it?

"Okay, I'm game," Lance agrees and tilts his head back. He points up at a cluster of bright stars. "Does that kinda look like a teapot, or is it just me?"

Keith follows Lance's line of sight and tilts his head.

"Does that make that bit over there," he points to a group of four, "the cup?"

Lance squints.

"Could be. Or a cookie."

Keith snorts. "Yeah, I can see that." He reaches down to lace their hands together.

"And that one seems like it's the brightest, don't you think?"

Lance frowns, trying to find the star Keith is talking about.

"I guess? Though there are a few over there that..."

Lance turns to look at Keith to see if he's looking in the right direction, but finds Keith staring at him with a fond smile. Lance's face feels warm against the cold night air.

"Oh," he says quietly and he really should be groaning and pushing Keith away because how corny was that? But Lance can't bring himself to do so. Instead, his eyes flit down to Keith's lips before returning to meet his eyes.

"I dunno, the one I'm looking at right now is pretty bright."

It was Keith's turn to flush, and he ducks his eyes from view. "O-oh, that so?" He says awkwardly. "So, ah, um..." He exhales, and then meets Lance's eyes. He doesn't finish as their lips meet in a sweet kiss.

Lance melts into the kiss, placing his hands on Keith's broad shoulders as he tilts his head. Keith reaches up and runs his fingers through Lance's hair, the kiss deepening.

Closing his eyes, Lance devotes himself to the kiss, feeling every warm touch like a salve. He runs a hand down Keith's chest to rest on his thigh as he scoots closer.

This is the man Lance has given his previous life up for. This is the man he promised he'd never leave.

Keith is his future.

As if on cue, Keith pulls back far enough to look into his eyes.

"I love you."

Lance sucks in his breath and his eyes grow wide. Sure, Keith has said as much in more ways than one, but the actual three words haven't been said between them yet. It's... Exhilarating. That someone can still love him, even after all the things he's done. And hasn't done.

No one has said those words to him before. Not romantically.

Not even Sendak.

Lance's heart hurts at the thought, but the pain doesn't linger. How could it, when Keith was sitting right in front of him, looking at him like that?

Lance wants to say the words back, even if he doesn't fully mean them yet. But Keith deserves better than that.

"I know," Lance says with a soft smile and reaches out to cup Keith's face in his palms. "And one day I'm gonna say it to you too and it'll be waaaaay more romantic. Y'know, flowers, chocolates, the works."

Keith exhales a laugh.

"Uhuh," he hums, eyes shining with amusement.

He leans into Lance's palm and presses a kiss to his hand.

"Wouldn't expect any less," he says softly. "And... Lance," he looks at him firmly, "say it when you're ready." He slips his arms around Lance's waist, squeezing to emphasize his point.

"I will," Lance promises, lowering his hands to wrap his arms around Keith's neck as he leans in for another kiss. He trails his lips down Keith's throat and mouths at his mark, just visible over Keith's shirt collar.

Keith smiles and closes his eyes, moving close enough to nuzzle against Lance. They stay like that for a few minutes before Hunk walks over to them with a tired smile.

"My turn to keep watch," Hunk says in a sleep-thick voice. "You should get some sleep."

A little embarrassed at being caught holding each other so intimately, Lance pulls back and clears his throat. Keith looks embarrassed as well, and they both stand up and wish Hunk a good night before retreating to their blanket together.

The mention of sleep is a sudden reminder of the heaviness of his eyelids and the aches and pains in Lance's arms and legs. He definitely needs some shuteye if he's going to function at his job tomorrow morning.

They curl around each other, huddling for warmth, and Lance accepts their meager accommodation for what it is. It'll be difficult getting used to working hard and living from hand to mouth after being pampered and cared for by Sendak for so long, but he'll make do.

At least he has Keith as his own personal heater.

Lance closes his eyes with a smile and waits for sleep to claim him. The fire crackles nearby and there's some animal in the distance making a distorted version of an owl's whistle. He can tell when Keith drifts off- his breathing slows against the nape of Lance's neck and his grip around Lance's waist grows slack.

Lance opens his eyes with a frown. He's exhausted, but he can't fall asleep. Why?

He shifts on the ground, trying to find perhaps a more comfortable position, when he hears something crunch. Startled, Lance freezes and looks around, but aside from Shiro's distant snoring, he doesn't hear anything.

Slowly, Lance tries to move again and-there! The crunching sound!

Confused, Lance raises his hips and dips a hand beneath himself, blindly searching the ground for the source of the sound while trying not to wake Keith. He almost gives up when he hears the crunch again as his withdrawing hand brushes against his pocket.

The memory hits Lance as his hand delves into his pocket and touches paper.

It's the note from the sentry.

Lance's pulse quickens as he slowly pulls his hand back up and unfolds the note. He squints in the darkness to make out the words.

Lance,

If you return to me, I shall not kill your mate. We will be together as it is meant to be. We have faced much worse in our way. I will be waiting at the proposed coordinates for 3 quintents. Return to where you belong and we shall be a family.

Commander Sendak

Lance's mouth goes dry and his hands feel clammy. His fingers smudge the ink when he smoothens out the note to read it again. And again.

He'd been so sure Sendak had given up on him. Didn't want him to be Vhix's parent anymore. But then again, he did tell him that Lance will always be his.

Lance's mind swirls with the words as he shoves the note into his other pocket. Keith grunts and Lance holds his breath, not sure if he can be confronted on this quite yet. But Keith's slow, soft breathing resumes and Lance released his breath in a shaky exhale.

A part of him hates Sendak for writing this note. He'd made his choice, yet here Sendak is, making him doubt himself. Doubt his feelings for the man curled up next to him. For Keith, who'd just told him that he loves him. His mate.

But a different part of Lance is grateful for the opportunity to return to the warm and familiar embrace of Sendak. To be reunited with Vhix and Azul. To be a family, just like they'd been before Keith took him. They were happy.

Sendak is here, somewhere on this planet, waiting for him.

Heart pounding, Lance closes his eyes, but it's a lost cause.

He knows he won't be getting any sleep tonight.

End Note:

Hello everyone! Thank you for reading défaite.

Now, as for the story's ending. We chose to go with an open ending because we think that who Lance chooses isn't as important as the journey he goes through in making that decision. We know it's frustrating not to have one determined ending, but we invite you to open your minds and come up with your own endings. Does Lance decide to throw the note away and return with Keith to Earth? Does he meet up with Sendak and return to his son? Maybe Lance finds away to reset his body? Who knows! We certainly don't! There's no one right answer, and we'd love to hear your theories in the comments below.

Speaking of comments- now that the story is complete, that doesn't mean that we aren't interested in reading your thoughts! Should you happen to stumble across this story one, five, even ten years from now, we'd still be very eager to hear what you have to say! So don't be afraid to comment should you want to. Not on this fic, or on any complete fics in general.

Hannaadi88: Hey guys! Aside from writing Lance, Shiro, Zarkon and a bit of Lotor, my main job in this collab was editing our rp to the chapter format you guys have been reading every week. It was challenging at times, and certainly time-consuming, but your comments have made it all worth it! I also did the fun A/Ns at the end of the chapters. At least, they were fun for me to write, haha.

Should you be interested in reading any of my other VLD fics, you can find them on my profile (among other fandoms). I'm also including a link to my tumblr in case any of you would like to reach out and message me! I'd love to hear from you!

I had an amazing time working on this story with HunkyDory, and I hope you all enjoyed the ride. Thank you for reading and commenting, and I hope to see you all in our future fics!

HunkyDory: Hi all! It's nice to formally introduce myself, I am HunkyDory, and it's a pleasure to meet you all! I took on the role of Sendak. But not just him! I also played Keith, Hunk, Pidge, Lotor, and honestly most of the extras that Lance might've come across. I also replied to most, if not all, of your lovely comments and theories, with some assistance from my partner in crime, Hannaadi88. It took us a little bit to navigate Anonymous Ao3 but replies from your comments are from me, and I loved reading your comments.

Défaite is the first fic in a long while that I have published and it was wonderful to work with Hannaadi88 through this.

Here's my tumblr, I post stuff on it sometimes ;)

We know it's sad to see things end, but like all things, it must. We are excited to read your thoughts and theories that have motivated us throughout this whole story. We also have one more omake from Keith's point of view coming sometime soon.

But fear not! This is not the end of this dynamic duo! We have a story in the works that might interest you. We're writing a Voltron Legendary Defenders superhero fic, featuring a villain in disguise, superhero shenanigans, and Loverboy Lance, at it again.

Thank you for all of your kind, encouraging words. And the freak outs! We had a blast writing this fic, and we're so glad you all enjoyed it too. We hope you are staying safe and healthy out there. Thanks for making this fic a joy to share.