~Voltron Oneshots 2!~

Bright

You're too bright sometimes, hard to look at. Will you let me stay by your side?

There he hoes again. I think, rolling my eyes at the new red Paladin. Through the monitors I watch the small lion dip and dive, doing barrel rolls all while he hoots. "Did ya see that mullet? Impressed? I know."

"Enough playing around Lance! We must prepare to fight Lotor, we have no time for your mistakes!" The princess shouts through the comms, instantly silencing the latino boy. I release a scoff, but Hunk cuts in before I can. "Lance's tricks make you smile too, Princess."

I roll my shoulders and glance at the others now circling around Black. "I'm calling the training with our lions for the day. Board the castle and get ready for dinner." The monotone feels unfamiliar on my tongue now, but Shiro will scold me for snapping at her.

It's quiet as I retreat from Black's hangar to my room. Lance and Pidge are normally bouncing around the halls after training. When I slink into my room my eyes land on the brunette himself. Curled into his jacket glaring at my boots, leaning against the cool metal bed. "Lance?" I can't hide the surprise in my voice as I drop the helmet onto the floor.

He shrugs his shoulders and looks everywhere in the room but me. I don't comment on the red enshrouding his sapphire eyes. I strip myself of my armor and drop beside him. He freezes as I slide down, yet he doesn't move after he settles. He hasn't come to me in what feels like years.

"Red loves barrel rolls." I blurt, distracting myself with sharpening my luxite blade. A small sound grumbles from the back of his throat, I'm going to take it as a chuckle. Slowly he's pulling out of the ball he's made himself, watching the blinking lights. "She loves getting the extra energy out." He mumbles, a small smile forming on his bright lips. 

I give him a nod, wiping the new grime away from the shining blade. "You sharpen it a lot." Lance offers, those blue eyes landing on the cool metal. Hesitantly I place the small blade into his hand, I doubt he's gotten a chance to examine the material. Lance is inquisitive, he always wants to learn more about everything around us.

If a new type of ship has been logged, you can bet he's in there reading the blueprints right after Pidge. He works hard to plan ahead and no one's really noticed. Allura always scolds him for his lack of discipline, but he has more resolve than Hunk or Pidge. He's quick on his feet and never misses a long-shot.

"The metal needs maintenance every few days. Especially since it changes form." The shining metal is a bright contrast to his warm skin. He runs his calloused finger along the rune and hums. Anguish flashes in his eyes, but it's quickly masked with a smile. "You want to go grab dinner? I'm sure everyone's already had their fill." I offer, finally meeting his gaze. A shrug moves him again as he leans back on the bed.

Normally Lance being quiet would be something to sound the alarm for. Something the team would joke about, but it's just not him. He diffuses our tension with his wise-cracks, he makes moves I can't make in Black. He's morphed from someone I would fight with, into someone I want to inquire with. We're not the kids that we were when we were first launched here.

"Do you think we'll get to go home?" He asks me, his thoughts far beyond feeding himself. I don't know the answer. I'm not sure if I even want to return to earth, back to laws, and the Garrison. Their cover up is enough for me to hate the facility. Maybe earth wouldn't be so bad if there were people waiting for me. My family is already in space, both my Mother and Shiro.

"I'll make sure you go home." I tell him, giving his arm a slight nudge. A real smile finally cracks through his mask and he sighs. We go to the dining hall in silence, meeting the empty chairs of our fellow paladins. All off to their own devices, training or scheming.