Beyond the Veil (Threw My eyes book 2)

New Friendship

(This is Good Lotor just referded to as Lotor K)

Lance lay in the quiet of his room, the soft hum of medical equipment providing a steady backdrop to his thoughts.

It had been several days since the intense battle against Bad Lotor and his brainwashed followers.

The wounds, both physical and emotional, were still raw, but Lance was slowly recovering, surrounded by the support of his friends and family.

A knock on the door pulled Lance from his reverie. He turned his head, surprised to see Lotor standing in the doorway. 

The former enemy looked hesitant, his expression a mix of guilt and determination.

"Lance," Lotor began tentatively, stepping into the room. "May I come in?"

Lance's heart clenched at the sight of Lotor. 

Memories of their past encounters flooded his mind—betrayal, conflict, and the ultimate sacrifice Lotor had made to save him. 

Despite everything, a part of Lance had always harbored a complex mix of emotions towards the white tiger shifter.

"Yeah, come in," Lance replied softly, his voice still rough from days of disuse. He shifted slightly in the bed, making room for Lotor to approach.

Lotor entered cautiously, his eyes scanning Lance's bandaged form with a pang of remorse. 

"I... I wanted to check on you," he admitted, his voice low with sincerity. "After everything that happened, I couldn't just leave."

Lance nodded, gesturing for Lotor to take a seat beside him. 

"I appreciate that," he said honestly, his gaze meeting Lotor's. "It means a lot."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. 

Lance struggled with conflicting emotions—anger, hurt, but also a strange sense of understanding that had grown between them during their shared battles.

"I wanted to apologize," Lotor began, breaking the silence. "For everything. For betraying your trust, for causing you pain. I know my actions in the past have been... unforgivable."

Lance sighed softly, his gaze dropping to his hands. "Yeah, you did some messed up stuff," he admitted quietly. 

"But... you also saved my life. Twice."

Lotor looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes. "I... I did what I thought was right," he said slowly, uncertainty coloring his tone.

"Yeah," Lance agreed, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You did. And I guess... I can't fault you for that."

There was a moment of quiet understanding between them, a mutual recognition of the complexities that had shaped their paths. 

Lance realized that holding onto anger and resentment wouldn't bring him peace.

Lotor had changed, just as Lance had grown and evolved through his own experiences.

"I've been thinking," Lance began, his voice gaining strength. "About the Pride."

Lotor raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his expression. "The Pride?"

"Yeah," Lance nodded, a spark of determination in his eyes. "You saved my life, Lotor. You risked everything to protect us. I think... I think you deserve a chance to be part of something good."

Lotor blinked, taken aback by Lance's unexpected offer. "You... you want me to join the Pride?" he asked, disbelief coloring his voice.

Lance nodded again, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah. You've proven yourself, Lotor. And besides," he added with a playful wink, "we could use another badass shifter on the team."

A flicker of amusement crossed Lotor's features, a rare smile touching his lips. 

"I never thought I'd hear you inviting me to join your Pride," he admitted, a hint of warmth in his voice.

"Well, I've never been one to hold grudges forever," Lance replied with a shrug, his tone light but sincere. "Life's too short for that, you know? Besides you have already killed me once"

Lotor chuckled softly, a weight lifting from his shoulders as he considered Lance's words.

"Thank you, Lance," he said genuinely, meeting Lance's gaze with gratitude. "For giving me a chance."

Lance grinned, feeling a sense of relief and resolution settle over him.

"Just don't mess it up," he teased lightly, nudging Lotor playfully with his elbow.

"I'll do my best," Lotor replied, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.

As they sat together, the tension that had once defined their relationship seemed to dissolve, replaced by a tentative camaraderie and a shared understanding forged through hardship.

 Lance knew that their journey was far from over, and there would be challenges ahead. But for now, in this quiet moment of reconciliation, he felt a renewed sense of hope and unity among their ranks.

Outside the room, the sounds of laughter and chatter drifted in from the corridor. 

The rest of the Pride was gathering, their voices blending in a harmonious cacophony of shared experiences and enduring friendships. Lance glanced at Lotor, a grin spreading across his face.

"Welcome to the Pride," he said warmly, extending his hand to Lotor.

Lotor hesitated for a moment before clasping Lance's hand firmly.

 "Thank you, Lance," he replied sincerely, a smile tugging at his lips. "I'm honored to be part of it."