X

As Color Fades Away

Chapter Forty-One

Of course, the beautiful moment was over as quickly as it began as a low cough started in Lance's throat until it was wracking him from head to toe.

Hunk did what he could, rubbing soothing circles on Lance's back and holding him against him to try and calm the tremors. He may have been out of the wood for pneumonia, thanks to the pods retrieving most of the water from his lungs and whatever bacteria had lingered with it, but he was still quite sick and the fever was high enough.

When it was finally over, Lance lay limp against Hunk, breathing uneven and raspy and sounding too much like his attempts following the rescue, and his eyes were closed, accentuating the near bruises of exhaustion around them.

"Lance, lad," Coran called gently, prompting dark slits of blue to pry themselves open. "We're going to let you get some sleep now, all right?"

Lance tried to straighten a bit at that, but it was clear he was running on the last of his reserves. "Lo siento," he managed. "I didn't…" he coughed weakly. "Didn't mean to…"

"None of that," Coran chided. "You need to let your body rest. We are at the thirty dobashes after all and that was the limit I instated, was it not?"

Lance nodded, feeling both relieved and sad.

"We'll come back in a couple varga, if that's all right," Shiro said, earning a small nod. His smile grew larger. "And Lance? I'm really proud of you."

Shiro knew what it had taken Lance to come to that conclusion, had seen him war between his own doubts and the team's beliefs. He knew that it wasn't over yet – Lance had too much self-doubt and years of enforcing it to wash it all away with one discussion – but the fact Lance had recognized his role as a Paladin was something to smile about indeed.

So this time when a pink flush stole across Lance's cheeks, it was for all the right reasons. He ducked his head, pressing it up against Hunk's arm. The action only made Shiro grin wider as Lance instigated the need for contact. It might only really be with Hunk right now, but any forward progress was still progress.

"We'll see you soon, Lance," Pidge said and Keith echoed her. The Red Paladin felt like he needed to say something more, apologize for yelling just then and for everything before. He wanted to get this weight off his chest. But Lance looked so tired and Keith didn't want to burden him anymore than he already was.

Pidge seemed to understand his lingering and nudged him with her elbow. "Later," she whispered, inclining her head towards the door.

And later would be better. Once Lance was feeling better and maybe not in front of an audience. Keith returned her nod and the two of them exited, knowing not to crowd.

Allura hovered, wanting to do something more but knowing she wasn't in the same place as Hunk where Lance would likely appreciate her touch although she knew how much he loved – or, he did – that element of closeness.

A light went off above her head and she grinned. Scurrying over to her closet she flung the door open wide and disappeared into the interior stocked to the brim with dresses and gowns.

"Princess?" Coran asked, concerned, as all those remaining in the room heard the sounds of scuffing and a crash. Lance too had peeked his head over Hunk's arm, more curious than scared at the noises and the muttered curses stemming from inside the closet.

"Allura? Do you need help?" Shiro asked. The mice though did not seem perturbed and were actually squeaking excitedly, their quivering bodies looking expectantly towards the closet and Shiro relaxed slightly. If the mice weren't worried, then Allura was fine.

"What on earth is she doing?" Hunk asked Coran, who looked just as baffled as the Yellow Paladin.

"No idea, my boy," he said, missing as Lance stiffened ever so slightly even though the comment was not addressed to him. Hunk gave Lance a little tighter of a squeeze, cuddling him to his side.

"I found it!" exclaimed Allura, emerging from the closet with a rather ornate chest cradled in her arms and looking positively giddy.

Coran recognized it immediately as Allura tenderly put it on the foot of the bed. "Your toy chest," he observed.

Allura was already digging into it, discarding what appeared to be a few puzzles and games before her breath caught and she emerged with what she had been seeking.

In her hands was a plush toy of the Altean species the talefann. It was canine in design but with overly large round ears and a body that tapered off into an elegant fin. Its body was soft, even after years of wear and tear, and the bright beaded eyes still gleamed.

"This is Flafie," she said, gazing down at the treasured toy. "He is very dear to me and has always provided me a great comfort." She looked up. "Perhaps… he might keep your company?"

She held the plush out. Allura thought being able to hold something close might be comforting – more so than the blanket, which Lance seemed to be using as almost a shield against the outside – but was now realized that in her excitement perhaps the gesture was too childish.

She felt the tips of her ears redden as Lance did not take the toy, although his eyes were wide and focused entirely on it. Just as she was about to try and apologize for the mistake – humans, maybe did not partake in such things – Lance moved his hand tentatively from where it clutched the blanket and towards Flafie.

Allura's heart leapt into her throat as his fingers gently wrapped around it. She could feel the tremors through her part of the toy as he combated both the cold and his body's own weakness, and she leaned forward, pressing the plush more fully into his grip.

Their eyes met then, his swimming with tears and a softness Allura was not sure she had ever seen.

He took the plush and held it against his chest, bandaged right hand tentatively descending on the large ears and settling against the fabric.

"Thank you," he whispered. "Allura… I…"

"He is an excellent listener," she cut in, her own voice choked. "And especially loves to get pets behind his ears. Just… just hold him close if you get scared and he will make it better." She brought her hand across her eyes, wiping at her tears. "All right? Right. I am going to go now. I shall see you later."

And with one last watery smile, Allura practically retreated with the mice following her. Coran watched her go, heart swelling. He knew well how much the plush meant to her. It had been the last gift from her late mother, who had told Allura that although she may be leaving Flafie would comfort her in her stead. He prayed the toy could provide some measure of the same comfort it had brought to a grieving little girl all those years ago.

"I'll get going too," Shiro said. "We'll see you later, buddy. Sweet dreams." And with a little wave Shiro headed out after the distraught princess.

Coran repacked the toy chest and moved it to the ground before turning his attention to Lance, who had more firmly snuggled the toy to him while one of Hunk's arms was still wrapped about the thin shoulders and holding him close.

"I'm going to replace your nutrient and fluid bags," Coran told Lance, already pulling out replacements, "and give you another dose of the Glornack seed. I'll get you a cold cloth as well once you're lying down again."

Lance yawned with a tiny nod.

That was Hunk's cue. "Come on," he murmured, gently removing his arm from around Lance and immediately feeling a pang of loss, "let's get you settled."

"You'll stay?" Lance asked, voice small as with Hunk's assistance he sunk down to less of an incline. He didn't relinquish his hold on the stuffed animal or the blanket, which ended up rolled beneath him and probably not the most comfortable but he didn't seem keen on moving.

"Of course," Hunk said, selecting another light blanket from the freshly laundered stack and spreading it out atop Lance. "As long as you want me to." Some of the fear that that had flitted across Lance's face vanished at the reassurance.

They were going to have to ask him what had happened, Hunk realized. He didn't want to make Lance relieve those memories, but they were grasping at straws and being reactive instead of proactive to any triggers or new fears.

Lance clearly didn't want to be alone and Hunk had no idea if that was because of something as simple as needing a reassurance that this was still real, or if stemmed from something deeper.

They'd need to find out everything. Especially if… if Lance had told Haggar anything or if she'd managed to skim his thoughts. They wouldn't blame him, of course. Lance did nothing wrong and it was clear that he'd fought tooth and nail to keep them from finding out information, if that was indeed what had happened. Again, all of their insight was from assumptions that the Galrans wanted information and Haggar his quintessence.

What if they were wrong? Hunk felt something cold creeping inside him then. What if this was the plan all along? What if the Galrans had wanted them to retrieve Lance because they'd done something to him?

Maybe it was some type of mind control. Or they implanted him with some weapon or virus that the scans hadn't picked up and he could turn it on them at any moment.

No, no, Hunk calmed himself. That wasn't the logical answer. The cryo-pod would have caught it. Coran would have. Lance surely would have said something if he knew about such a weapon hidden inside him (if he even knew about it, Hunk's mind whispered).

But given Keith and Shiro's brief accounts with how Haggar had asked after Lance… she had not planned to let him leave. Maybe it wasn't the quintessence per se – Hunk's mind flashed to where Coran had quietly observed that Haggar may have treated Lance as a pet and he shuddered at the double meaning of the shock collar now – but Haggar definitely wanted something from Lance.

Hunk's eyes narrowed. Like hell would he let her get it. He looked at Lance, curled onto his side with the plush clutched to him, hair askew and cheeks still warm with fever. He looked so young. And small. And Hunk had the sudden, desperate urge to sweep him into his arms where he knew for sure he'd be safe.

He resisted that, knowing that although Lance was certainly more comfortable with touch now (at least from him and Coran, it seemed) he wouldn't react well to something so out of the blue and forceful. No, he would do as he had and let Lance continue to come to him and reciprocate in kind.

And then… then they'd have to discuss what he and Coran had found on Lance's wrists. His own stomach twisted at the thought. As much as he tried to tell himself that the Galra had done it, he had a sinking feeling that Lance had inflicted those injuries on himself. He was scared to know the why, but knew that he and Coran would be the best confidants for now and he had to steel himself for whatever Lance said. Because no matter what the answer was, supporting Lance and making sure he knew he was safe and loved were of the utmost importance.

"All right lad, I've got the cold compress right here," Coran said, returning from the bathroom where he'd thoroughly soaked and then rinsed the cloth. "Are you all right if I place it on your forehead now?"

"O-okay," he whispered, eyes opening to track the movement. Lance knew full well it was Coran and he was only helping. He knew they had squeezed every drop of moisture out too to prevent him from panicking again. He knew all of that and yet as Coran slowly descended towards his face he couldn't help but flinch back.

"Sorry," he choked out as Coran withdrew.

"I know it's a little scary," Coran said with a sad smile. "Would you be more comfortable if you placed it instead?"

That… that would help. Lance nodded weakly, clutching Flafie tighter. He forced himself to release his grip from the plush, keeping it still pinned to his chest with his right forearm and gingerly took the cold cloth from Coran's hands.

He shivered at the temperature. He knew logically his fever needed to come down, but he was just so cold. He'd been trying to ignore as best he could and pressed up against Hunk, a veritable furnace, he'd almost felt comfortable. But now, underneath just a thin blanket and no Hunk he was beginning to shiver again.

Still though, he took his time placing the compress, even his own hand bringing it up past his eyes had him closing them out of habit. There was nothing to be scared of though. It was fine. He just had to keep telling himself that.

He pressed it against his forehead, doing his best to comb his bangs out of the way – and even his own hands were too reminiscent of Haggar's and he shuddered, nearly dropping it.

"You've got this," Hunk encouraged from the side, blinking back his own tears at seeing Lance struggle and knowing he could not help.

Finally, finally, Lance got it mostly centered and he sunk back fully into the pillows, retreating his left hand back under the blankets to more fully clutch at the plush. It reminded him of his own stuffed animal, a great white shark he'd had since birth, aptly named "Tiburóncito." Tiburóncito should still be sitting on his bed at the Garrison, unless they'd packed up all of his things because… because they thought he was dead and wasn't coming back.

He felt tears prick his eyes at the thought of home. The thought of his mamá getting a box delivered by the post full of his belongings, the last things he'd touched before he'd disappeared off the face of the earth. He hoped she at least had Tiburóncito now to comfort her.

"Hey, hey," Hunk murmured, sinking down on the bed next to Lance as he noticed the sudden bout of tears. "What's wrong?"

"I… I miss Mamá," he whimpered. "And Papá. And h-home." A sob made its way out. "I want to go home, Hunk."

"I know," Hunk soothed, placing a gentle hand on Lance's blanketed shoulder. "I know. I do too."

"I m-miss them."

Hunk thought of his own parents. He hadn't allowed himself to really dwell on home because he knew he couldn't go back. Not yet. Not until he'd fulfilled his purpose as a Paladin and made sure that earth was safe. He missed them. A lot. He missed his dad's hugs and his mom's singing voice as she danced around the house.

He missed family dinners and board games and enjoying each other's company sitting on their back patio as the sun set. He missed a lot of things. Going to the Garrison was a big step for him as the furthest he'd stayed away from home had been Lance's house.

But to his surprise he'd settled in quick. It was Lance who had been plagued by homesickness that not even video chats and writing letters could erase. Hunk loved his parents, he did. But their relationship was completely different than Lance and his parents and siblings. Lance thrived in his large family and being away from them had made him physically sick the first couple weeks away at school.

And space? Space was so, so much further away than they could have ever imagined. Hunk and Pidge had tried to rig a communication device to reach earth, but the distance was just too great. He wished they could return to Earth, even just for a few minutes, so Lance could be reunited with his family. But Allura had said they needed to keep far, far away from their home planet lest the Galra Empire realize its importance and hold it hostage. And Hunk could never forgive himself if a few minutes of homesickness condemned their entire world.

But right now, he would be willing to risk it. If he could pop over, retrieve Lance's mom, and just let Lance have that piece of home even for a little bit he'd do it. But he knew he couldn't.

It didn't make him stop wishing.

"I know," Hunk murmured. "We'll see them again. I'm sure of it. And everyone is going to be so proud of you."

Lance just sniffled.

"Get some sleep," Hunk said, settling himself more comfortably against the headboard next to Lance. "I'll be right here when you wake up."

Lance shuddered out a sigh and curled up more underneath his blanket, still shivering. Coran came by with the temperature scanner and a soft beep echoed in the room. He frowned and showed it to Hunk. Still nearly one hundred. Hunk frowned. Why wouldn't this fever just break?

"Hunk? Coran?" Lance mumbled, likely disturbed by the beep.

"Yes, lad?" Coran asked gently.

"Thank you," he whispered. That did not even begin to cover it, what he knew they'd done for him. But it was all he could say right now.

"No thanks are needed, but you are more than welcome," Coran replied and Hunk gave his shoulder another squeeze. "Get some sleep now, hmm? You'll feel better when you wake up."

"'s so cold."

"I know, but only for a little longer," Coran assured. He hoped, at least.

Lance coughed weakly but nodded.

Coran crossed to the nightstand and heated up another batch of the carmodian leaves. Within the dobash the flavorful scent was permeating the room and Lance relaxed even further. Fortunately this time around his exhaustion won out against everything else and a few minutes later his breathing had evened into that of sleep.

"He likely won't sleep too long," Coran said sadly, "but I'd like to try and keep him down for about four hours and I'll be back then to check on him. If we are lucky this fever of his may even dissipate."

"I hope so too," Hunk said, carefully removing his hand so as not to rouse Lance and settling them in his own lap. "It'd go a long way to helping him feel better. And then we really do need to get him to eat something."

"I was going to go to the kitchen to whip up something my dear old grandmamma used to make for when anyone was feeling unwell," Coran said. Seeing the dubious look on Hunk's face, Coran let out a laugh. "Oh, my boy, it is not a Paladin surprise, I promise."

"What is it?" Hunk pressed. He knew Coran meant well, but given his track record with food… well…

"Remember those large purple fruits we picked up on Dalaran?" Hunk frowned. He did remember those. They were absolutely bland (he'd tried one) and still hadn't a clue why Coran had been so insistent they get them. "They mash incredibly well and with a little cali (which Hunk had learned was the universal equivalent of sugar) and some cooking they develop into a delicious porridge." Here Coran sobered. "My hope is that it is thick enough to not emulate any type of water, and the fruit does contain enough that Lance will still get a good dose of fluids, which his body very much needs."

He looked to the nutrient and fluid packs. "These are doing for now, but if we wish for Lance to gain back any strength he will need to eat something of substance. You too, Number Two. You have not eaten much these last couple varga. I will send the mice up with something for you as well."

At that observation Hunk's stomach let out a gurgle. He patted it absentmindedly. He hadn't felt much like eating these last few days and had only stomached what was brought because he knew he needed it. But now that Lance was resting as comfortably as possible and out of the woods, his appetite was returning.

"Thanks Coran, that'd be great. Just… not a Paladin surprise?"

Coran chuckled. "I'll send up something of your own creation or Number Four's. He's shown to be quite a decent cook himself."

"He has," Hunk smiled. He wondered if Keith would like to spend some more time in the kitchen. He'd sort of taken over it and the quiet boy had never expressed any interest in cooking, but this could be a good opportunity for him to get to know Keith a little better. Yes, he decided. Keith was going to be joining him in the kitchen from now on at least once a week. He already knew it was going to be a lot of fun.

"Righty-o then, I'll be off. I'll send the mice up with perhaps your tablet as well, hm?"

Hunk's smile widened to a grin. "If it's not too much trouble."

"Those little furry beans need to earn their keep somehow." With a last jaunty wave Coran headed out.

True to his word, within a half varga the mice arrived, stumbling slightly underneath a large plate piled with a combination of food goo, garlic bread and some type of fruit or vegetable; it was rather hard to tell. Chulatt dragged in Hunk's tablet on her own as there was no way for her to help balance the plate with Platt's height.

Hunk gingerly got off the bed, grateful when Lance didn't stir at all, and accepted the plate and tablet. "You guys are the best," he told them as they collapsed on the floor. "I can't believe you carried this all the way!"

Pleased squeaks sounded, growing in intensity when Hunk broke one of the fruit/vegetable slices into fourths and set it in the mile of mice. They dug into it immediately while Hunk sampled it himself, the flavor something between cucumber and honeydew. Interesting, but not bad.

Once they finished their snack, the mice gave little salutes and neatly tiptoed out of the room. Hunk grinned at the behavior. As if their footsteps would wake Lance, but it was adorable all the same.

He finished his own meal rather quickly, washing it down with a gulp of water from Allura's sink, and then clambered back into the bed with his tablet. He wasn't really up to doing anything on it, but he loaded up some of the programming schematics he'd been working on for one of Pidge's projects for Rover 2.0.

He was more content though to watch Lance sleep, the sight setting him far more at ease than anything else could. He still couldn't believe all that had happened in the last week. Part of it still seemed like a really bad dream and he wished it was.

Sometimes he wished all of this was a dream. That he'd wake up back in his Garrison bed and Lance would be sleeping across the room from him and this was just some Alice in Wonderland hallucination and Hunk would wonder what they'd put in the cafeteria food. Because magic space lions? Aliens? It was so surreal that when they'd first come here Hunk had pinched himself more times than he could count to assure himself he was in fact quite awake.

Lance whimpered softly in his sleep, face scrunching up as if in pain, and Hunk leaned over, putting a large hand on Lance's shoulder. It was the wrong move, he realized a tick later, as Lance cringed further away. Touch might be okay when Lance was prepared, but in his dreamworld Hunk was just another piece of the nightmare.

"Lo siento," Hunk apologized, removing the offending hand immediately. "Estás bien, Lance." He repeated the phrase several times until Lance's brow smoothed.

Lance did remain mostly asleep for the duration of Hunk's vigil, sometimes whispering something unintelligible or crying softly, but returning to slumber without ever fully being aware of his surroundings. Each time Hunk had to soothe him back with just words it broke his heart a little more.

He re-wet the compress a couple of times, although each time he applied it Lance had pulled back even while unconscious as though he expected something worse to happen. Hunk had apologized sincerely each time.

But it was doing some good. Coran had left the temperature scanner behind (it did a gazillion other things but Hunk was most interested in that one) and between the Glornack seed and the cold cloths, Lance's fever was dropping. It was hovering just above ninety-nine now, which by all accounts to Hunk meant it had broken. The ever-persistent flush to Lance's face had practically receded and the shivering had stopped as well.

It was a little over three hours later when Lance stirred, a soft groan issuing between his lips.

"Lance?" Hunk inquired softly.

The groan turned into a whimper and Lance's left hand twitched, as though he was trying to find something to grab on to. His breathing picked up tempo and his eyelids fluttered.

"Lance, hey, it's okay," Hunk murmured. "C'mon, wake up now."

And with a gasp Lance did just that, shooting up in bed and nearly collapsing a moment later as his right arm buckled beneath his weight.

"Easy, easy," Hunk said as Lance's eyes darted madly about the room, chest heaving. "It's okay. Estás bien. Estás en el castillo."

"Hunk?" Lance breathed as his eyes settled on his best friend.

"Right here, hermano," Hunk said, more than surprised when Lance pushed himself forward to weakly grip Hunk's shirt, his tremors racing through both of them. Hunk tentatively brought one arm about the shaking form, relieved beyond measure when Lance didn't push him away.

Lance took in a deep breath – honeysuckle and engine grease – and felt his heartbeat slow. This was Hunk. This was real.

"Pensé que era un sueño," he mumbled against Hunk. "Pensé…que era un truco otra vez."

"It's all right," Hunk soothed, not quite following but reassuring him all the same. "I'm here. You're safe."

Lance clung to him for a few minutes longer, feeling safe and secure in Hunk's arms and the fear from his dreams fading away. Nothing could ever compare, except perhaps Blue's quintessence wrapping about him. He wanted to see her again. He needed to.

He pulled himself out of the embrace, but wasn't quite willing to lose the safety of Hunk yet. So he pressed himself against Hunk's side, beyond grateful when all Hunk did was shift to better hold him there. Hunk was different. Hunk's touch made him feel safe and loved and secure.

Nothing like Haggar's. He shuddered at the thought of her. But Hunk's hands didn't morph into her bony ones. He sighed in relief, pressing himself even closer to this eternal fountain of warmth and letting out another soft sigh as Hunk's arm wrapped about his shoulders, allowing him to rest his head against Hunk's.

"Is this okay?" Hunk asked gently.

"Mhm." He wasn't sure he'd ever been more comfortable in his life.

"Your fever is just about gone," Hunk said. "Are you feeling any better?"

Was he? Well, he was thinking clearer, he could tell. The fact that he hadn't succumbed to a panic attack yet from Hunk's proximity spoke volumes to that. His throat still hurt and he swallowed thickly, knowing a cup of tea and honey would do the trick but unable to stop the shiver of fear thinking about it brought on.

He was still cold, but not as cold. And Hunk was warm. He soaked up more of that delicious heat as he tested out the rest of him. His right hand still didn't respond much and he tucked it up against him, but the rest of him was okay. His toes were tingling at the chill now that they'd escape from the blanket and he drew them up closer .

"'m okay," he decided. But something was still wrong. He felt an ache inside him that had nothing to do with the cold or sickness or his own fears. Blue. He needed to see her. He had to make sure she was all right with his own eyes. Black too. It had been his fault she'd almost been lost.

"What is it?" Hunk was old-hat now at picking out Lance's breathing patterns. And while it hadn't hitched it had just increased slightly, his heartbeat thudding out against Hunk's arm.

"Blue," Lance whispered. "Can I… can I see her?"

"Of course. Oh, she'd love to see you too, Lance. She's been so worried."

He caught the flash of guilt and mentally palmed his head. "That's not your fault," he quickly said. "And besides, I promised her I'd give her an update and it's been a while." He paused then, eyes lighting up at the next bit. "Did you know Blue talks?"

"Talks?" Lance repeated. "Y-yeah. Is… is she not supposed to?" Had he screwed something else up? Had he hurt Blue's programming?

"Lance," and the tone was both exasperation and fondness, "all of the Lions speak to us in different ways. Coran and Allura just noted that they've never heard a Lion speak in their chosen Paladin's language, and especially out loud. It gave us all quite the shock the first time. You know what Allura told me?"

Lance shook his head, beyond confused. Didn't everyone's Lions talk? Then again, he supposed Blue hadn't always spoken to him. She had used feelings before and he honestly couldn't recall at what point those had transformed into first words inside his head and then actual physical sounds that reverberated in the cockpit with him.

"She said you and Blue have the strongest bond she's ever seen or heard of between a Lion and Paladin," Hunk continued. "Isn't that something?"

"Really?" He wasn't sure he believed it. That didn't make sense. Just because he accepted what the others said, accepted that he was the Blue Paladin, that didn't make him any stronger. He was still the weakest link on the team and no one could deny that.

"Really," Hunk assured. "And she meant what she said, Lance. Blue let her pilot to help you. She's your Lion and you are her Paladin."

A warmth spread through Lance's chest then. It may not be the great skills the rest of his team had but the fact that his bond with Blue was something noteworthy made him feel that maybe, maybe, he wasn't as awful a Paladin as he thought. Their connection had to mean something.

"Let's go see her now," Hunk said, getting excited by the idea. This way Blue got an update and both Lion and Paladin were properly reunited. He knew how comforting it was when Yellow wrapped him in her quintessence, no doubt Blue would provide the same. And if he were lucky it might be enough to bring a smile to Lance's face. His lips had still barely twitched upwards and Hunk was beginning to grow concerned.

And no smile still, but a spark lighted in the ocean eyes. "Blue," Lance whispered, feeling a surge of strength with just the word. He allowed that strength to propel him to the edge of the bed, which Hunk had already swung off, but he stopped there, legs dangling over the edge.

The last time… the last time he'd tried to walk had been right before… right before everything really bad had happened. His hands tightened on the bedcover, trying to keep the material from morphing into a hard metal table and the room into darkness.

Hunk didn't rush him. He had to have had no clue what was going on in Lance's head, as he fought with his own mind about what was real and what was memory, but he hovered, clearly worried.

Lance grit his teeth. If he had done this, injured and blind with only Theodek's chains for encouragement, there was no reason he couldn't do this now. Coran had said his feet worked. They'd been healed. There shouldn't be any pain now. He could do this. Just one step.

He took a deep breath, sliding forward more on the bed until both feet gingerly touched down on the carpeted floor. No shock. No cold bite of metal floors under his bare feet.

Stand. He shuddered as his own command took on Theodek's voice. "S-stand," he whispered aloud. His own voice sounded awful and raspy but it wasn't the Galran commander. He clung to it.

Go, he told himself. Stand. And he stood, pushing off the bed.

He took in the room from this new vantage, legs shaking after having been immobile for so long. He had just a second to comprehend Hunk's face going from a smile to a look of alarm as the entire room tilted dangerously.

Pain pounded up the back of his head and Lance gasped at the sudden agony and blackness that stole across his vision.

He had the sudden, terrible feeling of falling – retracting metal, a torture chamber of water below and a cold laugh – and then everything faded to darkness.

xxx

Author's Notes:

I am a sucker for stuffed animals. There is something so comforting and innocent about being able to hold something soft nice and close and whisper out your fears. I know whenever I'm upset I love nothing more than curling up with either my puppy and if she's not in the mood for an over-cuddly mom then hugging a stuffed animal until I feel better. *hugs one now*

Also, for those of you who have been asking... Lance did just touch on Haggar's little trick with the fake rescue, although Hunk did not pick it up. He said in Spanish he thought it had been a dream and a trick again. Poor baby. As I said last chapter we still have a lot to sort through. But... we're off to (maybe) see Blue! Whoot whoot!

I'm so glad so many of you enjoyed last chapter as much as I did! Extra big hugs to those who took a dobash to review. I really appreciate it! The hugs go to: hobbes101, PlayWithFire18, Nellie Bachesneg, This-Lil'-Fan-Girl, migrane, guest, Subtle Shenanigans, Yuuki Hitsuguya, Oliviadbell, Guest, WindGemini, geekyglamour413, Berrybanana05, Adrianna Agray, StrawberryFever3, RowerLovesAstronomy, Jadegem02, pineapple, Kenxi, HetaRosFangirl, Guest, Guest, JustADamFrenchFry, lovemelau, anonymous, Rachhecht, Stargirl720, Cats and violin, White Space Lion, wingedflower, Guest, BlueCookiesforRick, catlover2976, Shadow Gray, imagine forevermore, DoctorMerlinReid, 3, Rookblonkorules, IceAurora, Scones, Fireflame159, Egg Rolls, Alexa, TheTheoryofFangirling, Pfeh, Guest, rwbygirl, The-Angst-Chronicles, Lasagna, Justanangryfangirl, PaintedWings45 and Eeveecat1248!

I've gotten a few comments about missing the double update. Sorry guys! But if you are missing your double-dose of weekly Langst, I do encourage you to check out my other fic, The Purity of Sin. Things are starting to get a little... hot. *laughs at joke, shot by outraged readers*

As always, please do take a moment to drop a comment on your way out! Anything from your favorite line or scene of the chapter to a character interaction to an overall feeling. Reviews this week shall act as cough drops and tissues so my cold and I thank you very much in advance.