ｔｅｍｐｏｒａｒｙ ⇒ 𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥

You'll Be Back

By ElectricBlueMadness

--------------------------------

It had been a wonderful few years since Lance left Voltron. He couldn't say that he didn't see it coming, though, as he knew that he would have to leave the team. He and the team were like water and oil, just not a good fit together. 

--------------

The first time he felt like leaving was when he overheard the team tearing into his skills because of an impulsive maneuver he did with his lion, that saved the rest of the team. They blatantly overlooked him saving them, and ripped apart his pride when he heard them. He could tell they took him for granted.

But, he didn't let them know.

Now, this should've been a key warning sign, something that should've urged him to get the hell out, but it didn't. Why would it when it was Hunk and Pidge, two friends he had stuck with for years? Or Shiro and Keith, two people he definitely admired, secretly or not so secretly? What about Allura and Coran, two wonderful Alteans who had gone through such grief and tragedy?

It would be redundant to say that Lance, indeed, had a dilemma.

The second time, of course, was the fabled "tipping point". The second time, Lance wasn't having such a great day. But everyone has bad days, right? Well, according to Shiro, a bad day isn't an option when they're battling Galra. Shiro, his hero, said that. That sounds trivial, however, Keith followed it up by saying, "Leave it Shiro, he's just looking for an excuse to ditch training and flirt with Allura." Lance was pissed. Who could blame him? When everyone else was having a bad day, he was there to cheer them up and reassure them. Who was there for him on his bad day?

The realization came crashing down at him, as soon as he lay down on his bed. They didn't value him like they did each other. They were eons above him, soaring through the clouds at ease while he thrashed in the black pitch in his nightmares. They couldn't care less about his death and resurrection. He was just there to make everyone laugh and take everyone's insults. 

It was then, he knew, he had to get out. 

He secretly made plans to leave, using patience to get the materials necessary to depart. Whenever they would go to planets to help, he would collect useful tools. During the night, he would create makeshift weapons and armor to help him. If anyone asked why he looked tired, which was rarely, he would lie. Lying soon became second nature to him. 

But, Hunk and Coran found out. They helped him pack, because they knew they couldn't stop him. They knew him leaving would save him from the rest of the team. So they helped him, letting their tears slip in the night, unheard.

Soon the night came when he escaped. He took an escape pod while Coran faked an emergency. When Lance left, none of the team noticed him except for Coran and Hunk, who comforted each other. Life at the castle soon came back to normal, except for Blue's occasional cry for Lance.

The team discovered that they were taking more injuries than normal. The team felt like they were going through a funeral. Each step they took was slow and meek. Their shoulders were sagged and low, as if they were physically bearing the weight of the universe. Their voices were almost nonexistent.

Eventually, the planets they were trying to help started turning them away, in favor of some other group. The leaders of these planets took one look at the paladins, and shooed them away. With no help, the paladins dwindled away into a shell of their former selves, roaming around the castle in hope for something they could do.

One day, when visiting a planet made entirely of water, they found a certain cloaked figure. The cloaked figure laughed with the people of this planet, and smiled with these people. This cloaked person had the support and love of these people, and the paladins were jealous. To say jealous would be an understatement, they were furious. 

Until they took one look at those stunning blue eyes, and knew it was Lance. 

They all sighed in relief, tears starting to be shed. They weren't being usurped, Lance was just distracting these people, as usual. They ran up to Lance, scowls on their faces. All except for Hunk and Coran, who stayed behind. Allura and Shiro tried to reason with the people of the planet, while Pidge and Keith openly insulted Lance with snide remarks. The people of the planet listened to Allura and Shiro, but refused their help. When they finally stopped trying and decided to leave, they tried grabbing Lance, but Lance stood his "ground". They turned to Lance, and saw that the locals of the planet were talking to him. Lance looked at their resentful faces, and calmly whispered, "I left a long time ago, and I'm not going back."

Pidge blew up at Lance. "You'll be back. I know it! You can't survive without us!" She tried to pull Lance back, but he stood his ground. Soon Keith yelled "You'll be back in time! You will fall!" Allura and Shiro shook their heads, and dragged Pidge and Keith back to the castle.

Eventually, Hunk and Coran stood next to Lance, an awkward silence ensuing. Soon, smiles overtook their faces, as they hugged and talked about everything that had happened.

In the end, they all vowed to never return back.