x
As Color Fades Away
Chapter Forty-Seven
Keith really shouldn't have been surprised when Shiro fell into step beside him, a calm, steady presence in direct opposition to the uneasy fire racing through him.
"This isn't the way to the living quarters," Shiro said after a few moments.
"Not tired," Keith mumbled, keeping his head down.
Shiro hummed and continued to keep pace as Keith made his way to the training room. He needed to… to hit something before he lashed out at someone else and hurt them and taking on the Gladiator was sure to help ease the almost painful anger that burned inside.
He wanted to fight. To take the battle to Haggar and end the threat so then Lance wouldn't make such stupid declarations about sacrificing himself. Had he really not been listening to a word they'd all said? About how much he meant to them? Lance was an idiot and it pissed Keith off that the other boy would even for a second consider hurting himself like that just to protect them.
Keith growled low in the back of his throat, hands clenching into white-knuckled fists. Did Lance think they couldn't fight back? Was that it? Did he think they were so weak that they'd let Haggar on the ship and practically offer Lance up on a silver platter to her?
Lance had fought against her for days by himself, wounded and alone and honesty thinking he'd been abandoned. That only made Keith angrier that Lance would ever think they'd so callously leave him behind for the sake of something like the universe. Family came before anything else and Keith had finally realized what an amazing one he had right here and he wasn't about to lose any of them.
But upon the first sign of danger Lance went and offered himself up like a lamb to the slaughter. Was that really all he thought he was? Some spare that they could afford to lose? No. No. Keith had seen the fear flicker across Lance's face when he'd realized what the barrier could do. And he still fucking volunteered himself.
Idiot!
Could Lance not be selfish for once in his life and say what he actually wanted? Because although it had taken him a long time to realize it, underneath Lance's jokes and tricks and bravado, he was the most unselfish person Keith had ever met. He would give up anything and everything to make others happy.
It pissed Keith off. Because making others happy and safe should not come at the expense of one's own. Had Lance even ever been happy? He'd acted like it, sure, but all of this had really opened Keith's eyes to just how good of an actor Lance actually was. He'd hidden those feelings so deep that Keith hadn't even suspected there was anything else to the seemingly shallow boy.
Why though? Why would Lance want to project that kind of person? It wasn't who he really was or Hunk would have never been Lance's best friend and Pidge wouldn't have softened to Lance in the way she had.
It was Keith's fault. He'd pushed Lance away, taking the rival comments as mean-spirited rather than Lance's attempt to bond with him. He'd been cruel and harsh because Lance was so carefree and Keith had taken that to mean incompetent and a liability.
And now, when he wanted to try and make amends for his earlier behavior, Lance could barely even look at him. He curled in on himself, reminding Keith so much of who he had once been that it physically hurt, because although he wouldn't say it he was in pain. He'd been through so much and it had left behind scars so deep that Keith wasn't sure they'd ever really heal.
But he wanted to try and help. He didn't like seeing Lance so lifeless and quiet and scared and trying to hide it still as best he could. But he didn't know how. Pidge had said to be himself and she had seemed so confident with that explanation, but Keith still felt lost. How did he show that person to Lance? And when? Lance was so fragile right now and Keith didn't want to hurt him unintentionally to try and make himself feel better.
And all of it came back to how utterly angry the whole situation was making Keith. From the suggestion of a plan that could hurt Lance to Lance accepting it without hesitation because he wanted to protect them. Damnit. He needed to go slice up the Gladiator and cool off this anger before it hurt someone else.
"So," Shiro said and Keith startled, so caught up in his own thoughts that he'd forgotten the other was even there, "want to talk about it?"
"It's stupid," he muttered.
"Keith," and Shiro's tone was soft and unyielding at the same time, "if it's upsetting you it's not stupid. What's wrong?"
He'd stopped walking and Keith found his own legs had copied, leaving the two of them standing in the long hallway. A hand descended on Keith's shoulder and squeezed gently. "What's wrong?" Shiro repeated and Keith was reminded so strongly of sun-warmed park benches and a gentle hand and a younger Shiro smiling so tenderly and promising to always listen and be there for him that he found the words tumbling out.
"Lance," Keith said, "Lance is wrong." Shiro waited patiently as Keith tried to sort his jumbled thoughts into something coherent. "He's… why does he do that, Shiro? Hurt himself? Does he… does he not trust us to help?"
"I think," Shiro said gently, slowly, "that for Lance it's less about himself and more about others. He knows the consequences, Keith. We all saw that. But he… he doesn't want us to get hurt. And to him, that's more important than anything."
"He's being stupid," Keith hissed without any heat. "Doesn't he understand that when he does shit like this he's hurting us too? It's like whatever we say doesn't mean anything to him. He's not listening."
"He's been through a lot," Shiro said quietly. "And it's going to take time for him to feel better." Shiro's face hardened into a mixture of worry and guilt because as Keith knew Shiro always tried to take the blame even when it was not his. "These feelings he's expressed worry me because I didn't see them earlier. It makes me wonder what else I've missed."
"Shiro…"
"All we can do now is look forward and be there for Lance. He's got a lot to sort through, as do we all." He smiled then, soft and warm and the guilt nearly gone, "And you're doing a great job, Keith. I'm so proud."
"Why?" Keith asked, voice small. "All I do is get angry and…" he swallowed. "How is that helping?"
"You're upset for Lance," Shiro said. "That's the difference. You're looking out for his best interests because right now he isn't doing so himself." Both of Shiro's hands came to rest on Keith's shoulders. "You're being a really good friend, Keith. Lance needs that right now."
"But…" Keith shifted his eyes to the side. "He won't talk to me. He'll barely even look at me."
"It's not just you," Shiro comforted. "He's still finding his feet again, Keith. All of the things he's experiencing right now can be overwhelming. I know. And unlike me…" Shiro let out a soft sigh. "Unlike me Lance hasn't locked those memories away. He's experiencing them here and now and it's… it's beyond terrifying."
Shiro couldn't help the small shudder that made its way down his spine. Keith noticed though and took a step forward, gently wrapping his arms about Shiro and he was tugged in closer a second later with a more contented sigh.
"Thank you," Shiro mumbled, his words muffled as he spoke against the top of Keith's head.
"We're all here for you too, Shiro," Keith said, leaning his cheek against the broad chest and feeling the anger from earlier draining away in the face of Shiro's pain. "And… and you're the strongest person I know. Don't be so… so hard on yourself."
Shiro's response was to tighten the embrace.
"Give him time," Shiro said quietly after a few moments. "Things will work out."
Keith nodded, suddenly bone-tired and if it hadn't been for Shiro he may have slumped to the ground right then.
"Come on, let's get to bed," Shiro said, changing his grip so one arm was snug about Keith's shoulders and turning them back in the direction of the living quarters. "Do you want to bunk with me again?"
"No, I'll be okay."
"My door is always open."
"I know. Thanks, Shiro. But I'll be fine. Really." He needed the time to himself. He had been surrounded by the team for the last two days and comforting and nice as it was, it was also a lot all at once. And now that he knew Lance was home and as safe as could be the nightmares should ease. Hopefully. He knew he'd never stop hearing the screams though.
"All right then," Shiro said a few minutes later as the stopped in front of Keith's door. "Good night." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of the dark head and Keith flushed a warm pink. "Pleasant dreams."
Keith surprised himself and gave Shiro one more hug, quick and tight, before he mumbled his own good night and slipped into his immaculate room. He quickly changed into sleep clothes and then slipped under the covers, holding one of the pillows tight to his chest and fell into a restless sleep.
xxx
A few doors down the hall Lance was lying similarly curled up on his bed, but Flafie was tucked to his chest and one of his many quilts was wrapped tight about his shoulders. Hunk had insisted he take the hoodie off for bed and he'd been so cold when it had been removed even with the long sleeve shirt underneath, so Hunk had secured the quilt about him and then the blanket before leaving to change into his own sleep wear and secure a few mattresses.
A tentative knock sounded outside the door before it whooshed open and Pidge stepped in, looking swamped in a large tee shirt and Lance wondered if that was how he was appearing to them all now.
"Hey," she said, walking further in and dumping a blanket, pillow and a few other odds and ends on the ground and then settling herself on top of the pile.
"Hi," he said softly, feeling like it wasn't enough but not sure what else to really say.
Pidge didn't seem put off though by the lack of speech and was instead craning her head to look about the room, honey eyes large and bright and not obscured by her glasses, which she must have left behind in her own room. It had been a shock for Lance to learn that not only was his teammate a girl but also the glasses were just for show. He understood her wanting to wear them though. If he'd had anything of home to remind him of his family he'd certainly do the same.
"You have plants?" she landed on, standing up for closer inspection.
"Mm," he affirmed.
"You'd think I'd have some in my room too considering I'm supposed to be one with nature and all that. Maybe…" she sent him a little grin, "you could help me pick one out on our next planet stop?"
"You… want a plant?" Lance repeated, the concept not yet computing but the sheer randomness of it easing the nervous ache somewhat. This was just Pidge, he reminded himself. There was no need to be scared. He could do this. Just like old times. "Where would you put it?" he found himself asking. "Your room is…"
"A junk pile, I know, I know," she sighed.
"You're a hoarder," Lance told her, feeling his lips trying to twitch into a smile, failing and he tried not to dwell on it.
"And a proud one," she grinned. "My mind works better in chaos. Besides, you're one to talk. Look at this laundry pile. It's got to be a week…" she trailed off, realizing then why exactly there was such a large build up. "Anyways," she corrected quickly, "maybe a plant will encourage me to keep some section clean. It's worth a shot right?"
Lance wasn't sure what he was going to say to that, but his stomach came up with its own answer, growling loudly and painfully. He winced at both the volume and the gnawing ache, curling up tighter around it.
Pidge gave him a sympathetic look. "Stomach okay?"
Lance managed a tiny shake of his head. "Hungry," he admitted. "It hurts." And yet he knew he shouldn't eat anymore, not until Hunk or Coran gave him the go ahead. Everything had finally settled and he'd been relieved that he hadn't thrown anything back up following the quintessence discussion. Eating more could make it better but it could also make it worse.
Pidge edged a little closer to the bed, kneeling though so her head was about at Lance's height, her hands tucked up under her arms and Lance realized with a pang of guilt she was afraid to touch him. That hurt. More than it should have.
"Would a heat pack help?" she asked, not commenting on his newest wince. "My mom used to give them to me and Matt when our stomachs hurt. I… I have something similar that Coran gave me since I fall asleep in the hangar all the time and it gets rather cold in there. I brought it with."
She rustled into her blanket pile and emerged with what looked like an oddly thin green pillow about the size of a dinner plate. "It'll last for about six varga," she said, turning it in her hands. "If you want to try it."
Lance's throat felt abnormally tight again but he managed to squeeze out a quiet "Gracias" and Pidge gave him another tentative smile.
"Here," she said, holding it out and closing the space between them. "I already turned it on."
Lance carefully pulled his left hand free from under the blanket and took it, eyes widening at how warm it was. It was like Hunk packed up into something small. He lifted the blanket and tucked it against his shirt and stomach, the heat seeping in and driving away the worst of the pain.
"Thank you, Pidge," he said after a few moments, letting the heat soak in. "It… it feels nice."
Her smile that time did not reach her eyes and he was alarmed to see the hint of brightness gathering. What had he said wrong?
"Did…" she broke off, averting her gaze. She couldn't ask that. She wasn't here to make him think about his captivity or his pain or anything of that nature. She was here to… to be here for him. And, guiltily, because she couldn't stand the thought of being alone right now.
Despite the fact his head was on the pillow Lance somehow cocked it in a question, as a permission to go on.
"Did they feed you?" she blurted out, coloring immediately but unable to take it back. It had been her worry since the beginning; feeling bad for eating food when she wasn't sure if Lance was eating at all. And given how he had grown thinner, highlighted especially in his face, and the way that Hunk was so, so carefully monitoring portions as though worried about refeeding syndrome, she couldn't help but fear her suspicious were founded.
And now, seeing him in actual pain and trying his best to hide it just made her feel even worse for eating anything at all. It was selfish of her, looking for some confirmation to set her own guilt aside, but she too also wanted to know more about what had happened. She wanted to help and she couldn't do that until she had more data. Lance was the only one who could give that to her.
All was quiet in the room for a moment then and Pidge was just about to apologize – this had been a mistake, she should have never asked, she was turning people back into numbers and God was she stupid– when Lance spoke.
"No," he whispered, curling up tighter at the word. "They… they didn't. No food. No w-water," he tripped over the last word and Pidge's heart ached remembering Coran's observations about drowning. She mentally kicked herself for asking, for putting the need for knowledge ahead of Lance's feelings.
"I'm sorry," she whispered back, desperately wishing she could reach out but resisting the urge. She had done enough damage now with her question. Her, stupid, stupid question.
Lance sniffled and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out what had been conjured. The first days had been the worst; locked in the cell with no contact and no answers. He'd been near delirious with thirst and pain by the time they finally retrieved him and it had never been sated during his entire time with the Galra. They gave him enough to keep him alive through the vein valves, but that was it.
His stomach growled again and he whimpered. Feeding it anything had almost made it worse because he was reminded of what it felt like to have food again. The last couple days had been so full of pain and horror that he hadn't even given his aching stomach a thought. Now it was back with a vengeance. It hurt.
"Lance?" Pidge asked voice small and Lance felt the ache intensify that he was scaring Pidge. Just as he'd worried he would. He forced his eyes open, the scene blurry with gathered tears but Pidge was hovering just next to him.
"Lance," she repeated. "Can… can I put my hand on your shoulder? Please? I…"
"Sí," he managed and the tiniest of hands descended feather light on his upturned shoulder under the blanket. It moved in a hesitant circle, but Lance leaned into it – Pidge's hand, Pidge's hand, he told himself – and her movements became slightly stronger but still gentle.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again. "That was really stupid of me."
"No," Lance mumbled, finally relaxing into Pidge's careful touch. "No. I… I need to…" He swallowed. "I need to… to stop being so… pathetic," the last word barely audible.
"Don't say that about yourself," Pidge said. "You're not. You're funny and brave and… and…" her own throat felt tight. "I love you. And I just… I just…"
Her hand tightened unconsciously on Lance's shoulder. "I'm sorry I hurt you," she got out. "I h-hurt you. I shocked you and I hurt you and it was my f-fault. And then I…" tear-lined eyes looked to her hand and she withdrew it back to her, hunching over. "I did it again. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Lance."
It took Lance a few seconds of watching Pidge cry with guilt, clutching her hands to her and kneeling before him, before he shook off his own remembered despair and struggled to sitting, desperate to soothe her.
"Pidge, no," he whispered. "No. You never…"
She only shook her head. "I hurt you. I even… even…" she hiccupped. "With Blue. I th-thought… the barrier…"
Lance carefully slid off the bed, dragging the blanket and quilt with him and sat in front of her. He kept his right hand tucked up against his stomach and the heat pack he was loathe to relinquish, but his left he reached out and placed it lightly atop Pidge's clasped hands.
Her head jerked up, tear tracks rampant on flushed cheeks and hiccupped back another sob.
"You've never hurt me," Lance said, giving her hands a small squeeze. "Never."
She didn't look like she entirely believed him but she didn't try and protest. Instead she looked down at their hands, bandaged mocha over pale peach. "Can…" her shoulders gave a small shake. "Can I hug you?"
He didn't even hesitate. "Sí, yes."
Her hands came shakily forward and encircled him about his chest, followed by her body as she pressed her head against his chest, his heart thumping just as fast as hers, and breathed.
This was different from any hug yet. Where Shiro and Hunk were both large and had encompassed all of Lance within their arms, Pidge was so small. Lance raised his own arms and settled them against her lower back, not tight but there. She snuggled more into the embrace, her own tightening but not painfully.
"Is this okay?" she mumbled into his chest and Lance gave a nod. There was nothing to be scared of here. Just Pidge and Pidge needed a hug. Needed to give one. And she was no Haggar. She was soft and warm and tiny and smelled vaguely of mango.
He inhaled again, realizing the scent was coming from her hair that was tickling the bottom of his chin. It didn't make him flinch back though, not the way a hand towards his face did, so he leaned further over, tucking his chin against her head.
"I am sorry though," she whispered. "For everything you went through. For… for not being there. But I'm here now." Her hands tightened and it felt like the protective hold it should rather than a threat. Lance relaxed even more. "I'll always be here. We all will."
"Gracias," Lance murmured into her hair, tears pricking his eyes again.
All was quiet then until the door opened with a whoosh and with it Hunk's voice, muffled behind mattresses. "Okay, I can't see where I'm going so Pidge, please don't let me step on you, okay? I already almost took out the mice."
"We're by the bed," Pidge called, pulling her face free of Lance's chest. She sounded congested but her tone was brighter than it had been just minutes before. After a tick she sounded affronted. "How small do you think I am?"
Hunk appeared a moment later after dropping two heavy mattresses with a thump just inside the door. His eyes widened and then softened as he took in the two sitting together still in an embrace with fresh tear stains on their faces. But neither looked upset and Lance didn't appear to be uncomfortable so Hunk beamed at them and entered the room more fully, shaking out his arms
"You could have made two trips," Pidge said, not relinquishing her hold on Lance.
"But I managed so well in one."
Pidge stuck her tongue out at the teasing tone and Hunk laughed.
Hunk maneuvered around them, shoving Lance's pile of dirty laundry into the closet and the stool under the desk. Both mattresses were squeezed in, although the edge of one rode of the other for now until it could move flush against the length of Lance's bed, that two Paladins were currently blocking.
Pidge reluctantly pulled her arms back from Lance so she could get out of the way and assist, moving her own pile of bedding onto the far mattress. She knew it was best if Hunk was closest to Lance for the evening.
Lance missed Pidge's hold as soon as she'd left, and despite the loss he felt such a relief that his feelings towards touch were beginning to slowly morph back to what they had once been; that the lack of it was the hardest part.
He was getting better.
It almost brought a smile to his face, but not quite, and that dampened the stirring of joy.
He tried not to let it show though, awkwardly pulling himself back onto the bed. Hunk was there a moment later, shaking out the blanket and placing it back over him although his eyes were drawn to the heat pack that Lance still had yet to let go. It was definitely helping soothe the ache and warm him as well.
"Stomach hurting?" he asked gently, retrieving Flafie from where it had tumbled off the far pillow and allowing Lance to take it in his left hand and cuddle it to his chest.
"A bit."
Hunk settled himself on the bed next to Lance, one large hand coming up and giving Lance's back a gentle rub and Lance curled in further to provide more access. This was nice. It was almost like what his mamá would do when he was feeling ill. Rub his back and pet his hair – he broke that thought off before he could dwell on it right now. He'd been doing so good. He wasn't going to think of her tonight. Not if he could help it.
"We'll get you some more food in the morning," Hunk said. Some fluids too, if possible, he noted silently. The vein valve had been keeping Lance decently hydrated and while the gamibolap did have quite a bit of water in it, it was not enough. Lance really needed to try and drink something, but Hunk knew not to push that yet. Small steps. Worst case, maybe they could hook him up to a vein valve just to get something else in him. So far there had been no adverse reaction to that.
Lance gave a soft hum of acknowledgement, feeling drowsy with the continued motion.
"Get some sleep, hermano," Hunk said. "Pidge and I will be right here if you need anything, okay?"
He thought he might have answered that, but he wasn't sure, the heavy contentment pressing pleasantly down on him. A second later he was sound asleep.
"He's exhausted," Pidge observed quietly, sitting on her mattress with a spare pillow hugged to her chest.
"Hopefully he'll sleep through the night," Hunk sighed, removing his hand, adjusting the blanket one last time, and then sliding to the floor to join Pidge. "He needs it."
"I think this is the earliest I've ever gone to bed," Pidge said, lying down as Hunk lowered the lights in the room, leaving the corners glowing though with a soft blue light so they could still make out each other's features but dark enough to not interfere with sleep.
"You can stay up for a while, if you want," Hunk said, although he was settling himself into his own mattress. "The light won't bother me if you wanted to work on something on your tablet."
"Nah," Pidge said. "It's been a long day. I am tired. Besides," her voice lowered, "I don't want to look at the… the barrier data right now."
"Hey," Hunk rolled so he was looking at her. "Don't beat yourself up for that, okay? It's a brilliant idea. It just… needs some fine tuning."
"I'm an idiot," she muttered. "Everyone thinks I'm this genius and yet..."
"Pidge…"
"It was Keith – Keith! – who is even worse with feelings than me to point out the obvious," she interrupted, guilt coloring her words. "I was just looking at the numbers, Hunk. I didn't even think about what… what that would be like. I just… I just want him to be safe and… and…" She swallowed heavily. "Happy, Hunk. I want him to be happy and he can't be if he's cut off from Blue. And I was willing to do it."
"And he was too," Hunk said softly. "You want to protect him, Pidge. He wants to protect us. Neither of you are wrong in your feelings. And it's all going to work out, okay? We either figure this out with a guarantee that it won't hurt Lance or we'll find a different way to stop Haggar."
"My plan would have hurt him, Hunk. I wasn't protecting him then."
"Come here," Hunk said, opening up his upper hand and Pidge needed no second bidding to scoot across their conjoined mattresses and into Hunk's embrace, his larger body enveloping hers completely and she sighed, pressing her back to his chest. "You didn't hurt him," he repeated. "You're looking out for him. And I know you." He squeezed her tightly. "You're going to figure this out. I know it."
"Thank you," she said after a moment, voice thick. "I… thank you, Hunk. I won't let you guys down."
"You never do. "
She blushed prettily in embarrassment and patted at his hands to release her then. He did and she rolled back to her own pillow stack.
"So," Pidge said, voice a little more level after a few moments. "I should warn you before you fall asleep."
"This sounds dangerous," Hunk teased, pulling his blankets over him. "What?"
"I cling."
"Cling?"
"Like a koala bear," she admitted. "You may wake up to me hanging off you if I roll over enough."
"I'll be honest, that sounds adorable," Hunk smiled and he completely deserved the pillow Pidge tossed that landed on his face.
"Just letting you know," she mumbled, voice muffled by the pillow she'd placed over her face to hide its redness. "So you don't… panic, or something."
"Lance is an octopus," Hunk told her. Or, well, he was. But he chose to focus on the happier memory and hope that they got back to that. "At least your limbs are all cute and tiny."
He got another pillow to the face and Hunk vaguely wondered how many she had.
A second later he felt his mattress dip and Pidge tugged at the newest one that Hunk had commandeered. He let it go with a laugh and Pidge rolled back to her side.
"I'm not cute," she muttered. "Or tiny."
"I beg to differ. You're like a little munchkin."
"Hunk…"
"Part of the lollypop guild."
"I hate you," but there was a smile in her voice.
"Go to sleep you adorable little munchkin," Hunk told her. "Dream of lollypops and yellow brick roads."
All was silent for a few minutes when Pidge spoke. "Thank you," she whispered. "Good night, Hunk."
"Good night, Pidge."
And both slowly drifted off, neither admitting to the fact that there were indeed lollypops and a yellow brick road leading them off to their dreams.
xxx
"I… I believe I may have found something."
Allura's quiet announcement pierced the otherwise silent kitchen as Coran had finished washing the dishes and was drying them to be put away.
She had gone to the kitchen to keep Coran company, but with the recent conversation still weighing on her mind, had become distracted by some of the texts she had been reading prior to dinner. So while Coran cleaned she had read and the mice, who had remained behind in the kitchen and were looking rather rotund from licking most of the plates free of their crumbs, lazed about the table.
"What is it?" Coran asked, drying his hands and coming over.
"It is regarding the transfer," Allura said, pointing to the page she had been on. "Look. What do you see?"
Coran studied the diagram in front of him, eyes widening. "A circle. A transfer circle."
She nodded, excited. "Yes, exactly. A circle. A mutual circle, Coran. If… if all of our current Paladins were to give quintessence then… Lance should be able to still connect through them to Voltron. And the Blue Lion! He would not be cut off at all!"
"The circle would create a continuous loop," Coran mused, tracing one out with his finger. "The quintessence feedback should remain infinite between all parties this way and Lance would never lose contact with them or the Lions. In fact, should this be channeled into him…" He looked up, eyes wide. "He may very well be able to sense all of the Lions. Like yourself, Princess."
Allura nodded, almost giddy with the idea. "Yes, I think so too. It should not be the mental link like he has with the Blue Lion, but he would receive constant signals from them all." Her smile faltered. "You do not think that is too much, do you? I do not want to overwhelm him."
"You are able to control it, are you not?" Coran asked and Allura nodded. She had dampened her link with all of the Lions to where she could feel them if she sought them out, but otherwise she left their connections alone. "Then you can teach him," Coran said. "Besides…" he smiled, "if any of our dear humans were able to handle such a bond I have no doubts it would be Lance."
"Agreed," Allura smiled. "Oh, Coran. This… this is wonderful."
"Let us not rush though," Coran cautioned.
"Of course. I was thinking, perhaps, tomorrow if Lance is up for it I could try and make a connection." She tapped the page. "Not a transfer of anything, but an attempt to connect to the other Paladins to see if I can even handle the flow. It might be too much," she frowned. "It will be more quintessence than even the Balmera, Coran, and at that time I had the Balmera to guide me. I do not know if…"
"I will be your anchor," Coran said, placing a hand atop her slender one and squeezing it. "I will help you to channel however I am able to."
She placed her other atop his. "Thank you, Coran. I could not do this without you." A small smirk. "Quite literally, I may add."
Coran laughed then and Allura joined in, their hearts light with hope.
This could work. And then Lance would truly be safe.
xxx
"I have done it."
The words echoed about the small chamber, clustered full of vials and arrays and books scattered across tables. A long purple finger traced along the edges of such a rune, inked in beautiful red blood.
In the center of the array rested a single vial with a tiny drop of glowing blue energy. She smiled at it lovingly. It was the last piece of her Lance that she had right now.
And now it would lead her to him.
It had taken longer that she had wanted, but her array and spell were complete. Once activated it would scour the universe for its perfect quintessence match through the Astral Plane. No technology, no gimmicks and not even Altean magic could stop her spell. It was perfect. Just like her Lance.
A whispered incantation lit up the room with a sick yellow that matched the gleam in Haggar's eyes and she laughed a bone-chilling sound of delight.
It would not be long now.
xxx
Author's Notes:
Wow, every section of this chapter ended on a (mostly) positive note. How about that? Even Haggar is happy and doesn't that just make you happy too? :p No? Well pish posh. I've been looking forward to my Pidance moment for a while and it finally arrived and with a hug to boot. Dawww. And then some more Hunk and Pidge because gosh darn it those two are adorable and I am Pidge in throwing pillows and then having to go awkwardly retrieve them xD Some more reaction from the Keith and Shiro side too. For those of you chomping at the bit for the Keith and Lance moment, you can get all the Keith and Lance bonding moments and platonic cuddles that your heart desires over at my other chaptered fic, The Purity of Sin. Otherwise, patience yields focus guys. (Self promo day; for fans of Burning Bright it does have a Shiro-perspective sequel now with lots of little extra goodies from the first one, titled Shining Strong. Enjoy!)
Love and hugs and sweet dreams of yellow brick roads to the wonderful reviewers: imaginationoverload97, hobbes101, Subtle Shenanigans, Guest, Wolfwind97, Oliviadbell, WhiteTails, Pfeh, Firestarmlp, TheTheoryofFangirling, Fir3danc3r, BlueCookiesforRick, Lasagna, Shadow Gray, geekyglamour413, Alexa, Ginko Kataribe, skiewrites 2.0, cindy mack3, Adrianna Agray, dragoscilvio, migrane, Nellie Bachesneg, JustADamFrenchFry, PlayWithFire18, Midnight 0racle, Cats and violin, Honeycomb787, wingedflower, Star, StrawberryFever3, Tony WildRiver, imagine forevermore, Melody, Justanangryfangirl, Guest, LishaChan, Noel, Guest and rwbygirl!
Enjoying the fic? Please do drop a comment! And just because you review once doesn't mean you must ride off into the sunset never to return like some beautiful action hero; you are more than welcome to post again and again (and again and again, you get the picture :p). To those of you who come back week after week, you are the best ever and I love you for it! Thanks guys, look forward to hearing what you thought of this chapter!