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Hope: The Truest Treasure

Seven

The whisper of his name seemed to be all the others needed to see him; to see past the long bangs and the age that he knew had settled on his own features and the label of apparently rebel and the enemy and see him.

"Lance," Pidge breathed. She repeated it, higher in pitch and there was the sudden whir of a cord and Lance felt her bayard being retracted from around him as she raced forward.

Hunk beat her, his arms already lifting Lance off the ground and pressing him against his armor in the tightest embrace Lance could remember. It hurt and Lance did not care one bit. He let out a choked sob and stretched his own arms as much as he could about Hunk's girth, feeling Pidge latch about him, her tiny hands digging into his side.

The others were there then, a series of hands and arms wrapping about him, clinging to him as though he was a ghost and would fade away if they did not. Even Keith, the normally no-touch mullet that Lance remembered, had clamped near iron-clad hands about Lance's right arm was did not seem inclined to let go.

Lance had no idea how long they sat there for; a press of armored bodies all around him and his name mingling with sobs and sounds of disbelief.

Eventually, likely a signal from Allura or Shiro, Lance felt them all start to withdraw some, to give him some space although he was not quite ready to remove himself from Hunk's embrace and the safety it offered. They would have questions, he had questions and right now…right now he didn't want to face any of it. To see what they had become, for them to see him and no doubt the pity and horror that would follow. To learn how much time had actually passed and how much of his life had been spent as a slave.

Right now he just wanted to stay wrapped up in Hunk's arms forever where it was safe as it always had been and pretend that everything up until this moment had been a horrible dream.

But he couldn't do that. Zebra had last seen him being attacked and had run back towards camp. They were going to be so scared. Hope was going to be scared.

He had to reassure them it was all right.

They were saved.

So he picked his tear-stained face free of Hunk's chest plate and released his own desperate grip about Hunk's middle, sliding back to sit on his legs although Hunk himself did not seem so keen to let go and moved with Lance, holding him to his side.

Lance didn't mind.

His gaze traced each face again, closer this time and free of their helmets, studying the differences from when he'd last seen them as he tried to calm his racing heart and figure out what to say.

Pidge's hair had grown long, he noticed first, nearly shoulder length although it was pulled halfway back to give her a small little ponytail on the back of her head. Her glasses were missing too and if he wasn't mistaken the little beansprout might have grown a couple of inches.

Keith's hair was longer too pulled back in a short ponytail at the nape of his neck, and a scar cut across his right cheek, but his purple eyes were as sharp as ever, if this time a tad bit shiny with a sheen of tears.

Hunk… Hunk had lost weight, Lance could feel it. He was still big, no doubt, but his cheeks had lost the playful chubbiness and was replaced with a more serious face. But his eyes were warm and a familiar orange headband, a little more ragged around the edges, was still held wrapped about his head.

Shiro and Allura were the least changed, save that Allura was wearing Paladin armor but in shades of pink. Lance had a feeling he'd just found Blue's new pilot. Shiro's face had grown a little sharper, a little more angled, his eyes a little harder, but his smile was the same.

"We thought you were dead," Keith spoke first, blunt as always and the familiarity of it pulled a silent, sad laugh from Lance, and a shake of his head, but nothing further.

They all looked more than perturbed at his response and Lance sobered completely, biting his lip.

"Can… can you not talk?" Pidge asked after a moment, voice small.

Lance paused, swallowed thickly and then shook his head.

"…what?" Hunk whispered, grip tightening and distress clear.

In answer Lance reached up a hand, trembling from both the aftereffects of Pidge's bayard and his own nerves, and tugged down the cowl of his cloak, revealing his neck and the two raised scars that covered the whole length of it.

Harsh inhalations followed and he cast his eyes down, throat bobbing as he felt another garbled cry trying to work its way up.

"Oh, Lance," murmured Allura and a hand darker than his own tipped his chin back up, coming to rest along his cheek and he leaned into it and the comfort offered. "What have you suffered?"

He shook his head again, pressing his face against her hand. Even if he'd had the words he didn't know how to answer that.

"I think it's safe to assume King Rospo lied to us," Shiro said, voice low. "I don't think—"

His words were halted by the sound of a soft whine and they all turned as one. Two toads, both wearing the cloaks of the higher-ranked guards, were there, blasters pointed directly at Lance. Lance didn't know how he hadn't heard their guttural breaths, so obvious now. He'd let down his guard, he realized. The first time in ages outside of the camp.

But even then he didn't give them the chance to fire, to permanently silence him more than they already had. He could see it clearly in their faces; the horror and fear that he was still alive and in some way communicating with the Paladins of Voltron, who it sounded as though they'd sent out a call for help. If he told them, showed them, what was really going on here then it was all over.

If they had their way Lance would never speak again.

His blaster was in his hand and two bolts were lighting up the darkened sky, direct bullseyes through the toads' heads.

It was only after the bodies thumped to the ground that Lance became aware of Pidge's short gasp and the otherwise tense silence, Hunk's arm loose now on his shoulder.

Oh.

That was right.

Paladins of Voltron didn't normally kill, did they?

And they had just watched him point-blank murder two people.

Lance dropped the blaster like it had burned him, a new tremble to his limbs and he covered his mouth, stifling the broken sounding cry.

Oh Dios. They were going to be horrified. Scratch that. They were horrified. They were—

Strong arms wrapped about him then, one heavier than the other, and he felt himself pulled flush against Shiro's chest.

"It's okay," Shiro murmured to him, breath warm on his ear. "It's okay, buddy. It's all right."

"This area is not safe," Allura declared, sounding unshaken by what had just happened, but rather sad. "We should return to the castle."

At that Lance pulled his head free from where he'd hidden it in the crease of Shiro's chest and shoulder, shaking it fervently. No. He couldn't leave with them. The others would be so worried. He needed to tell them it was all right, that he was safe. That they all were safe now.

"Do you have someplace we can go to?" Allura asked, her jewel eyes meeting his head-on and a soft, sad smile on her lips and understanding written on her face. The corpses laid beyond her and Lance pushed his gaze back to her and away from them.

Lance nodded. He would take them to the camp. There they could tell him what was going on and he could show them the Toads' cruelty and what was really happening. And then…

Then he could go home.

It had been a dream for so long he honestly wondered if this was one.

But no, as Shiro helped him to his feet and Pidge and Hunk each reclaimed a spot by his side, Hunk's arm slung across his shoulders and Pidge pressed to his side without an inkling of fear or disgust for what he'd done – and Hunk had gotten taller too, Lance realized, even with Shiro now – and Keith and Allura unflinchingly dragged the bodies of the two Toads into the darker shadows cast by the wall where they had emerged from, this was real.

This was really happening.

Once the bodies were hidden Lance turned them into the fields, hating that he had to shrug off Hunk's arms and Pidge's hold but the tree roots were thick as they entered the forest and everyone needed both hands for balance on them.

No one spoke as they traversed save for a few grunts from Hunk as he lost his footing a few times and Allura's quiet remark that she had not seen porcelbai trees since Altea.

When they were still a ways out from camp but close enough that Lance knew the perimeter guard would be able to make them out once he cleared the next stand of trees, he gestured for them all to stop. The last thing he wanted was them shot on sight.

He stepped forward and let out a trilling whistle, the one he had been trying to teach Hope how to do as she delighted in the sound, letting it echo about the forest.

A moment later there was a flurry of movement and a flash of orange before Dorito landed in front of him, his eyes blown wide and beak clicking rapidly as his wings reached out to pat at Lance to assure him of his safety. Lance offered up an easy smile and inclined his head behind him and gestured with a hand for the Paladins to come out.

They did so, carefully stepping from behind trees and Dorito let out a whisper of a squawk but Lance shook his head, holding onto the feathered wing.

It was all right.

Dorito inclined his head and Lance was once more warmed by the sheer amount of trust his new family had in him.

"Hello," Allura greeted, stepping even with Lance and meeting the alien bird's eyes. "I am Allura." Lance frowned at the drop of address, familiar with Allura's normal title. But he could say nothing and so did not. "You are one of Lance's friends?"

Dorito turned and at that Lance offered another smile and pointed at himself with a nod. Yes. He was Lance.

He would never get tired of hearing his name.

It had been so long.

"He has the same scars," Lance heard Pidge whisper quietly as Dorito gave a nod of acknowledgement to Allura's question, the feathers on his coat having never grown back to hide his own devoicing.

Lance swept his arm forward and Dorito nodded, springing back into the trees. He could not quite fly anymore, his left wing irreparably broken, but he could still glide and move faster than anyone on the ground.

They passed the lake and a few minutes later camp was coming into view, a hive of activity at the late hour. No doubt Zebra had woken everyone up but Dorito should have made it back to assure them that it was all right, somehow.

Lance's thoughts were proven right as a small shape detached itself from the masses and launched herself at him as he came around the bend. Lance barely caught hold of Hope before she knocked him to the ground as she generally did.

She was crying, little whuffles, and clung to him with her babbles. Lance bent down and pulled her into a tight hug, pressing a kiss to the top of her bumpy head.

"A Balmeran," Hunk breathed.

"A child," Keith said, voice hard.

Hope was showing no signs of letting him go and Lance couldn't blame her. Just a few minutes before she thought he was all but dead. He dropped his blaster and ended up hefting her – and she was heavy but he managed – onto his hip and Shiro collected the gun.

Lance looked at his Paladin family over Hope's head and there was a collective of misting eyes at the clear show of affection but also a grim realization from Keith's observation that this was indeed a child and she, like Lance, did not have a voice.

From there they made their way into camp, the previous banked fire back to full light and all of his ex-slave family gathered from their tents and around it standing, none relaxed enough to sit on the log and rock benches. Lance's arms were already hurting though and he was still slightly shaky from Pidge's bayard, so he made his way over to one of the logs and sat with a thump, Hunk tentatively waving at the gathered aliens and joining him and Hope.

His lack of fear and whatever Dorito had been able to convey about their visitors seemed to have been enough as around him the others slowly began to relax and sink down onto seats as well.

Only Allura and Shiro remained standing, looking out over the gathered aliens with flames decorating their faces. Shiro turned in his direction and held out a hand, just like he had done so, so long ago in Keith's shack, marking them as equals in whatever it was they were getting themselves into.

But this time Lance swallowed thickly and shook his head. No. He couldn't.

Hunk though gave him a little nudge and Hope scrambled off his lap after patting his hands and going to sit next to Stampede, while Shiro kept his hand extended, waiting.

Lance slowly rose and made his way over to the two of them, they standing so tall and polished and proud and he feeling so much smaller next to them. But Shiro drew him in with his hand on his shoulder and Allura took his left hand into her own, pressing it between her gloves as though trying to make sure he could not fade away.

There was confusion across the faces of the ex-slaves, but a quiet pride too and he saw a few heads nodding, realizing already the relation of himself to those in the armor as humans, no matter their shape or size, were all intrinsically alike in aliens' eyes.

"Greetings," Allura called out and every face turned to her. "I am Allura…" she swallowed then continued, raising her chin a little higher, "Princess of Altea and Paladin of Voltron."

There were gasped murmurs from those that had not put together the symbol and the armor, but everyone in the universe knew Voltron, whether it be fact or legend.

"This is Black Paldadin Shiro," she introduced, inclining her head toward Shiro, "and in the audience with you are Yellow Paladin Hunk, Red Paladin Keith and Green Paladin Pidge. And…" her voice grew slightly higher, tears clogging it. "And this is Lance," she raised their joined hands slightly, "our Blue Paladin."

Lance's breath caught. She couldn't… she didn't mean… He didn't dare try to ask, to confirm, because surely she was Blue's pilot now, the new Blue Paladin, and it was just an inclusion, a better way to explain who he once was.

But still…

Our Blue Paladin. The words echoed and he felt warmed by them.

"He has been missing for a long time," she continued, clearing her throat. Lance squeezed Allura's hand, cocking his head.

How long?

He both needed and never wanted to know.

"Fourteen months and twenty-four days," Shiro said quietly, the number said without hesitation as though it was always on their minds.

Lance was glad Shiro's hand was on his shoulder and Allura's grip so tight and strong as he felt his knees buckle and only they kept him from crumpling to the ground.

Over a year.

He had been here for over a year.

They had thought him dead for over a year.

"Lance, hey, hey" and Shiro's worried face was swimming into his view, Lance ensconced now in the crook of his arm and they were somehow on the ground. "Buddy, breathe, come on, breathe with me."

Lance took a noisy inhale, not sure of when he'd stopped doing so, and his chest both tightened and released.

"There you go, and another one," Shiro coached, taking in a noisy breath himself. He was aware of Hunk crouched next to him as well as Zebra and Lemur, all looking beyond worried as he gasped like a dying fish. His cheeks were darkening as his breathing slowly evened out, embarrassment taking place of the stark horror that had pervaded a moment ago.

He'd just had a panic attack in front of everyone.

But Zebra was making her soft whuffling noises of comfort and Lemur was petting his hair and Hunk was rubbing his thumb across Lance's shoulder in small circles and past them there only was a mixture of worry and understanding, as well as a shared horror on several faces as they too came to realize just how long they had been there too. How much they had endured at the hands of the Toads, how much of their lives had been stolen from them.

"I'm sorry," Shiro apologized softly once Lance had had the courage to meet those charcoal eyes, which he found overflowing with guilt. "That was rather stupid of me."

Lance shook his head, denying it. Shiro was never stupid. Shiro was strong and brave and amazing and everything Lance wished he could be.

Shiro let out a wet laugh. "It was," he insisted. "I just… it's been so long, Lance. We've all… We've all really missed you."

Lance blinked back his own tears. They really had missed him, as much as he had them. He had known they would have to move on because the universe needed them to, but to hear that they'd been counting the days, thinking so often of him… still calling him the Blue Paladin.

Dios, he was about to cry again.

"We have much to ascertain about what has happened," Allura said gently, and Lance had no idea when she had knelt on the ground with them, "but right now we must focus on the present." Lance nodded to that. Yes.

Allura remained on the ground but knelt taller so she could see the rest of the audience gathered around still on the logs. "I shall make this brief. King Rospo, the leader of this planet," – and there were a series of hisses and sounds of hatred at the name, their first time hearing it in full – "summoned Voltron with a distress beacon. He claimed that a force of rebels was terrorizing his people and they needed help.

"He further said that the rebels had destroyed his town's jewel mine" – Lance nodded, owning up to that with a small grin and matching ones around the camp – "stolen his food and supplies" – more nods – "raided his vaults" – even more nods – "and killed many of his citizens," Allura's voice grew more somber at the last note and Lance this time offered a minute nod, but raised his eyes to Allura's, hoping she understood. She had already seen him kill two guards, after all.

She met his eyes. "I think it safe to assume those citizens mentioned were a variety of armed ones and they sought to harm the so called rebels," and Lance nodded, grateful.

"The rebels were led by one who called himself "L" in the common language," and Lance grinned at that and Hunk chuckled next to him, gently squeezing his shoulder, "who left his mark behind on each raid. Voltron was requested to kill L on sight," here Lance stiffened, "and end the reign of terror."

"The entire thing seemed a little off," Shiro entered quietly, but his voice was strong. "And Voltron is not in the habit of killing without cause." Lance tipped his head down at that but it was lifted by cool metal fingers and steady eyes. "There is no guilt to be found in protecting yourself and those you care about," Shiro said firmly. "You've done nothing wrong, Lance."

But—

"Nothing," Shiro repeated, thumb brushing over his jaw. "Understand?"

Lance turned his face into the hand with a bare nod, the guilt not entirely absolved but lifted some.

"We wished to speak with this L and determine if there was a peaceful solution that could be sought," Allura picked up. "Clearly, the story we were given is not entirely truthful and I will be blunt with my words. I feel that the king is the aggressor here and you, rebels, are the victim. Am I correct?"

Lance nodded. Yes. Dios, yes.

"Oh!" Pidge's exclamation drew their attention. She was scrambling off the log next to Keith with a small datapad in hand. "Here," she thrust it into Lance's hands, so hard he nearly dropped it. "Use this to write. Since you…" her voice trailed off, shoulders slumping.

Lance gave her the best smile he could manage. When he was surrounded by the ex-slaves, none of them capable of real speech, it was easier to accept the loss of his own voice. Now, with the Paladins here and speaking and he silenced… it was hurting fresh all over again even though he was desperately trying not to let it.

He brought a trembling hand to the blank screen, swiping it on the orange surface and a dark green line appeared. He stared at it, entranced.

"Button on the right clears it," Hunk said, words thick.

Lance did so and carefully squiggled out an "s", the one letter taking up a good chunk of the small screen. He followed it quickly to spell out "slave," the "e" scrunched in at the end.

"Slave," Shiro read the word over his shoulder, tone chips of ice. "You were a slave."

Lance bit his lip and nodded. He wiped out the word and squeezed in "mines," followed by "gems."

He painted the best picture he could in single words, with clarification of nods to their questions. Punish. Escape. Rescue. Blow up. Economy (that one took two screens). Camp. Protect. Stuck. New family (two screens again).

At that one he'd heard Pidge sharply inhale and Hunk let out a small sob, hand tightening on his shoulders.

"And… and your voices?" Allura queried, horror clear.

Lance paused, before scrawling out "no" and "noise" on the pad. He added "devoice," the only way he knew to really describe what had happened.

"They didn't like you making noise?" Shiro clarified, and his tone had grown even colder and only knowing it wasn't directed at him prevented Lance from shivering. "So they," his hand lighted on the scars on Lance's neck, making him swallow, ""devoiced" you?"

Lance gave a small nod.

"I'll kill them," Keith growled, having shifted to stand over Hunk's shoulder and read the pad as Lance wrote. "Those bastards, how dare they call us for help. I'll—"

"There will be no killing, no matter how deserved," Allura cut in.

"Allura—"

"We do not kill, Keith," Allura's eyes flashed, "not needlessly."

Keith fell silent, disapproval clear and Lance felt a flicker of worry for the other boy. Keith had always been hotheaded and reckless, and yes, prone to some violence, but never had he been quite so… harsh. Lance was alarmed to see a mirror of disappointment to on Pidge's face and it hurt him to know that his disappearance, his "death," had hurt and changed them all so much too.

"Death can be a kindness," Shiro offered up quietly, words both soft and hard. "And one that monsters like them don't deserve so easily. There will be justice and it will be dealt out fairly for the crime committed."

Lance did shiver then and drew every eye, Shiro's ice melting away to warm embers.

"Is… is that all right with you, Lance?" Allura asked. She turned to look at the gathered aliens, a mark of hesitation in her words. "With all of you? It is you who have suffered and I would never wish to overstep whatever justice you yourselves believe is right to pursue."

Lance looked to the group, silently asking them their opinion. He knew he didn't want to kill any more. Not even the king and he agreed with Shiro; he had seen that there were things worse than death. The Toads were already desperate and on their last hope with Voltron; when they removed themselves from the equation they would be left with nothing.

They might die anyway, he realized. Starve to death, kill themselves in despair as the last of their resources dwindled away. They might turn on each other, rise up against the king if they blamed him enough.

It would be a horrible way to go; stranded and cut off from the rest of the vast universe.

A year ago Lance would have been horrified at the idea of anyone suffering so.

Now…

Now he understood. This was justice. For Barney. For every other slave who had died. For every single one who had suffered at their hands, scars both visible and not carved permanently into them.

The Toads would be the ones now with no hope.

It curdled his stomach but they had brought this on themselves. They could maybe still find a way off; pool whatever remained to hire a ship. Learn to live off the forest and start over. They could do it.

And if they did not… if they gave into despair like he had almost had allowed himself to do at the bleakness of their future…

Then that was their choice and that would be justice enough.

Lance could live with that solution.

His fellow ex-slaves were nodding too, satisfied.

Lance turned to Allura and gave a decisive nod. Yes. They would go along with whatever plan Shiro and Allura had in mind.

Allura's smile turned sharp. She rose then to her feet, fire backlighting her hair and making her seem to glow. Lance stared, mesmerized.

"Ready yourselves," she instructed the assembly. "I cannot say what the future holds, but Voltron will protect you. We will do all we can to see you reunited with your loved ones." She turned to the group sitting around Lance. "Hunk, Pidge, Keith; remain here and assist as you can. We shall be back within the varga with the castle and we will then leave this place behind. Forever."

"What about you?" Keith asked.

Shiro's eyes were hardened bits of charcoal as he rose, flames casting half of his face in shadow. He looked to both Lance and Allura, who both nodded in agreement, even as Lance's stomach did a flip-flop.

This was it.

"We're," he said, voice fierce with promise, "going to dethrone a king."

xxx

Author's Notes:

Our reunion may have been a bit short but it was definitely sweet. All the hugs for our boy. And now... heheh, justice. Let us leave the Toads with no hope.

Still reading and enjoying the fic? Please do drop a comment below! I'd love to hear what you thought about the chapter; favorite scenes, dialogue lines (and those exist now! ;p), predictions, thoughts, overall feelings. Please give the author some love! Gracias! (I could really use it too; just got forced into a 12 hour shift so need the good vibes to get through this very, very, very long day).