*Lances pov*
Keith and I decided we should start things off differently. Through everything we've been through we understand how hard it's been. We agreed that if we take some time away from the job and the rest of the Palladian we can spent some quality time together. Some time to really find each other and ourselves. We decided to head back to earth for a while. We're going down to see my family and eventually settle down at his old house for the rest of the trip. We've been packing all morning not knowing how long we'll stay. I can't wait to see my family again. Especially my mom. I know keith feels the same way even if he doesn't talk about it. I've mentioned my mom accepting him before but it touches a subject we hardly discuss.
"This should be enough" Keith says dropping the last two bags by the loading doc.
"This is when you're supposed to say it's a joke right?" Hunk says nearly crying.
"I'm gonna miss you hunk. And don't worry we're coming back" I say hugging him.
"If not you guys would probably come find us anyways." Keith says beside me embracing Pidge.
"You're not wrong. But please, Be safe and make some memories. I'll see you both on the other side of things." Shiro says. He understands why we're doing this. He's always been the most supportive one in the group. Makes me wonder what I'm his life makes this all feel familiar?
"Ready?" I ask Keith. He looks at me with a little nod giving a quick glance back to the others. I wave obsessively as Keith gets comfortable on the couch. I join him when altea hid out of view.
"I'm glad we're doing this." I say sitting next to him with my hand on his thigh.
"Me too. I haven't been to earth in wayyy to long" He exaggerates. I watch him as he stares out the window.
"I bet your family is going to be so surprised when you show up." He says turning to me.
"When we show up. I can't wait to see the look on my moms face I can already picture it now." I tell him. We chat about everything and nothing for the rest of the trip. He ended up resting his eyes for a bit but I watched as the miles between me and my family slowly disappeared. When the ship finally landed I was inches away from the hatch waiting to blaze through the doors. Keith grabbed my hand and stood beside me as we walked up to my front door. I hardly got a knock in before I was bunmarded with hugs and yelling. I burst into tears laughing histericaly.
"LANCE" I hear from a dozen different people.
"Ohhh I missed you guys." I shout hugging everyone tighter. The second I get free I catch my moms eyes teary behind the crowd. I frown my eyebrows as she collapses in my arms. I hold her a way only a son and mom know how.
"I love you my sweet boy. I've missed you so much it makes me sick." She cry's.
"I love you too ma." When she lets me go I turn to see Keith stood still behind me. I reach my arm out offering it to him. He reaches for it slowly faking a smile joining out huddle. My mom pulls him into a tight embrace whispering something in his ear. I watch as his face tightens and his eyes close. A moment that quickly became a core memory. She pulls away giving him a pat on his shoulder before calling everyone to dinner. We enjoy our meal finally back as a family. Keith slowly opened up and finally laughed by the time dessert hit the table. It was nearly 1 am by the time I felt tired. All the kids went to bed early but my mom Keith and I stayed at the table stuck in good conversation.
"You two have something really good I can tell. I've never seen my Lance this happy in a long time." My mom says to Keith. He smiles at me proudly.
"Come on ma." I roll my eyes.
"Honey you've spent your whole life taking care of us I'm just happy you found someone to take care of you for a change." She tilts her head motioning to Keith. I grab his hand under the table resting it on his thigh.
"Trust me he's a handful." Keith jokes making my mom laugh.
"I can't thank you enough. I bet you're parents are so proud of the man you are today." My mom says breaking the barrier. Keith's hand squeezes tighter around mine and his head falls. I give all the nonverbal cues I could to my mom that it's not the right conversation to be having. Her expression drops when she realizes.
"Either way I am proud of you and everything you have done for my boy. I'd love to have you around more often because you are family through and through." She says. His eyes look up to her and they share a glance for a while. She gets up walking around the table to hug him when he doesn't reply. She kisses him on the forehead
"I love you boys." She says hugging and kissing me next.
"Don't stay up too late you hear me." She says walking up stares.
"I love you. Goodnight." I say back to her.
"Goodnight Mrs. mcKlane." Keith says.
"Enough with the formality call me (whatever tf her name is) or mom. Goodnight boys." I look at Keith and watch as he catches his breath. I could tell this was all a lot for him.
"That went well." I smile.
"Oh man." He says lightly. I laugh walking with him back to the ship. With so many siblings and extended family my old room had been taken up by my twin brothers. Me and Keith had to stay in the ship but I didn't mind. At least we didn't have to worry about making too much noise.
