Out Of Reach

2: Sandcastles

"I know we said no more questions." Rosa said gently and Lance wanted to groan out loud. "But what happened here?"

Her hand was warm against his back.

They were on the beach, the sun was gloriously warm and welcoming and the sand was already clinging to his feet and the sea...

Lance just wanted to live in it.

And he had stupidly pulled his shirt off.

And now he had effectively opened a can of worms.

"Whoa! That scar is huge." Rachel exclaimed.

"Rachel." Rosa hissed. "Stop being dramatic."

"Ma it's fine." Lance assured turning to face her. "I got that one when I pushed Coran out of the way of an explosion."

"And these?"

Her fingers grazed over the thin scars just under his ribs.

"I got stabbed." Lance chuckled nervously. "A few times."

"And your shoulder." Veronica chipped in.

"Can we just understand that I was in a space war." Lance said looking up at the blue sky. "I got into all kinds of scrapes."

"And what's this one?" Rachel asked poking his chest. "It looks like a burn scar."

"And I'm putting my top back on." Lance decided as he pulled the thin fabric over.

It may have been thin but it gave Lance some control of the situation.

"Lance-"

"I don't really want to talk about all my scars. Can't we just move on and enjoy this time together?"

"Alright mi hijo." Rosa nodded cupping his face. "We understand, take your time."

~~~

There were so many games to play.

Lance hadn't played tag in way too long. He was exhausted when he finally flopped onto the hot sand.

"Missed it?" Rachel asked nudging his leg with her foot.

"Mmh." Lance agreed, eyes closed and just feeling the warmth on his face.

"What's it like having a lion in your head?" She asked.

"Red? She's cool." Lance shrugged tucking his hands under his head. Red purred behind his thoughts and his smile grew. "She's determined and... I think she wants to get out there again as soon as this place is protected. She loves flying."

"And what about you?" Luis asked as he tossed his surfboard onto the sand. "Do you want to leave again?"

Lance frowned. "A friend of mine once told me that I was terrible at staying put." He watched the clouds above him roll by. "I also have a job to do."

"So you're just going to leave again?" Veronica's words held some kind of venom to it. Lance's eyes flickered to her.

"I'm not running away if that's what you're saying." Lance frowned. "But I am a paladin."

"Why are you so desperate for a fight?" Veronica asked frowning at Lance. "The war is over."

Lance sat up. "It's not over." He held her gaze steadily. "Just because earth is safe now doesn't mean that you've even scraped the surface of the danger that exists out there."

"Lance, V, let's not fight."

"I'm not fighting." Veronica huffed. "I'm just saying that Lance is too selfless."