How many times can you have an epiphany?
The plan is very simple, in the sense that it takes advantage of their shared immunity, and the fact that the aliens don't know why they're immune.
It's also very dangerous, in the sense that it depends heavily not only in Akira's ability to pretend like Lance has coerced him into the trance, but also in Lance's ability to fight fire with fire.
Because that's what he's suggesting.
"I sort of had a vision, and going by what I saw there I'm pretty sure I know who my godly mother is"
Maybe it's a demigod thing, considering Leo had also been sure of his lineage despite not being claimed; or maybe Greek and Roman gods are more obvious to their children.
"So you have an idea of what powers you have"
The blue paladin, and Akira is still beyond curious about the name thing, nods, small smile on his face; he looks a little flustered.
"But it might not work"
Akira might not know his real name, but he knows him.
"I trust you"
To be perfectly honest, Lance has no idea what he's doing.
Which is probably, realistically, something he should tell Keith, or whatever his name is. And isn't it just perfectly on track with the whole outcast persona that he has a fake name? Or totally on line with the whole half-blood shtick that fake names are a necessary thing?
The only reason Lance has two names is due to the McClain family tradition of having an English and Spanish name; one he never understood but worked in his favor here. And apparently back on Earth too, the wonders of mythology being real.
Maybe he should pray to his godly mother? She clearly had some sort of influence out here, which made sense when Lance thought about what she represented. How did one pray to a goddess? Were there rules? Was it a sacrifice thing?
He should probably ask Keith about it, as he had been the one to tell Lance about everything else, but they were kind of in the middle of the plan. Hindsight was clearly not a demigod ability, or a Lance ability, sadly.
But, and this is important, he does know that the universe needs Voltron, and Voltron needs all five of the people currently under the influence of the L'ru, no way around it. He also knows, realistically, that this doesn't need to work perfectly, just enough to get the others out of here; if Lance bites off more than he can chew, then at least he'll know the universe is safe.
That helps a little, as he steels himself and crosses the doors to the room everyone's being kept in. He looks around, double-checks everyone's there and accounted for, and then lets his eyes land on the main leader of the L'ru. Lance swallows through the sudden pressure on his throat, takes a deep breath, and starts talking.
He's as soft toned as he's able, complimenting, and redirecting, and picking apart every attempt at stopping him and politely and charmingly as possible. Keith stays quiet throughout the whole thing, which is probably for the best since Lance would get distracted otherwise, and they can't afford mistakes.
Somehow, despite all the odds being against him, it works, and by sundown on planet Fidkigal, Voltron is crossing the atmosphere, leaving the L'ru behind. It takes until after they're past the orbit of its natural satellite for the others to get out of their dazed state.
After that, it's a matter of Coran jumping in to explain how the L'ru could control them based on what he called charmspeak, and it devolves into a discussion about why Keith and Lance were immune, which is exactly when Lance decides to duck out.
The observation deck is quiet, to a person like him, who's grown up surrounded by sound, quiet is something rare. To Lance, in particular, quiet is something sacred.
He loves his family, and misses them more than he can really say, he also likes the rest of Voltron, and the shenanigans they get into. But still, inevitably, he ends up seeking quiet.
Normally, whenever he comes here, he quickly gets the star map flying towards Earth, to watch the miniature hologram spinning slowly. Today he diverts course just slightly, to watch a different planet on the same solar system.
This is how Keith finds him, bright golden orb spinning lazily in his hands, by the look on Keith's face this is probably going to be the conversation they stalled on back in Fidkigal. Lance didn't think it'd be this soon, but then again this is Keith, chaotic, impulsive, little shit Keith.
It was nice to know that much was still true, even when he'd lied to all of them about his name; but then, so had Pidge at first, and considering his immunity to the L'ru, one could argue that so had Lance.
"That's, not Earth"
Lance blinks at him, Keith stays staring at the holographic planet.
"No"
Keith finally looks at him.
"You're Roman"
Lance glances at the planet, then back to Keith.
"Sure?"
Keith gives a firm nod, and then he continues his approach.
"I can't actually recognize it, but I'm guessing that's Venus"
Lance arches an eyebrow.
"What gave it away?"
Keith goes a little red.
"You, uhm, got her blessing back in Fid-whatever, it had to be a love deity, and with the planet thing..."
He makes a face and a hand motion, Lance simply nods and watches as they finally get within reach of each other.
"So, is this where I get the story of how you chose Keith of all names?"
Keith blinks at him and then nods.
"It's stupid, Leo, that's the demi who helped me with the transition, spun one of those showcases with nametags and snatched one at random"
Lance snorts without really meaning to, but if he brings attention to it Keith will never let him live it down. So he plays it off as best as he can, but still lets some amusement show through.
"That's incredible"
Keith shrugs.
"What's your story?"
Lance looks back to the planet, as though he's telling her too.
"My family is half-Cuban half-American, so we have this weird tradition of having two names, one in Spanish and one in English"
He chuckles, a little wetly, a lot homesick.
"Vero gets away with using only her Spanish one because Heathers made the name Veronica popular in the US, otherwise everyone would know her as Valerie"
When he turns he finds Keith looking at the planet too, and then he lifts his eyes, takes a step back and offers an outstretched hand.
"I'm Akira Kogane, nice to meet you"
He looks about 20 levels of awkward, Lance feels himself full on grinning as he takes the hand in his.
"Leandro McLain, nice to meet you too"
Oh, Akira thinks unbidden, and not for the first time since meeting Lance.
Oh no.
YOU ARE READING
Collecting the shards
Fanfiction"Names have power" The words have become a prayer in their nature, if only for how Akira has used them since learning them. He receives a smile for his efforts, which is more than he probably deserves. {or, how the butterfly effect feeds into the...
