Langst One-Shots

Return -Part 3-

-Lance's POV-

Many would describe my personality as an 'overly cheerful idiotic blissfulness'. My personality however, cannot be farther from the truth.

It's more like a 'falling apart at the seams' kind of thing.

I always struggled with my self-confidence, so I just put on a bravado of a complete narcissist. When the Galra captured me, they amplified all my doubts and insecurities until they felt like the weight of the world.

And that mask started to crack.

Tomi was there for me, he understood. He helped me slowly weed the false memories the Galra implanted from the real ones. He calmed me down from panic attacks, he made sure I didn't do anything stupid.

I was so used to being alone, I had forgotten what it was like to have friends.

"Keith! Behind you!" I shouted as the gladiator shot at him, getting ready for the strike that would knock Keith out of  the exercise. I launched forwards, activating my shield and jumping in front of the robot, it's sword clashing against the tech of the shield, sending sparks flying. I gritted my teeth as the force of the impact jarred my joints, and I quickly swung my free hand, using my bayard to slam into the side of it's head, sending it crumpling to the ground. I stood, panting. "Exercise Complete." The castle's monotonous voice sounded. I grinned. "Hey! I actually made it!" I cheered, pumping my fist in the air. Shiro nodded approvingly. "Good Job Lance." Keith glowered at me.

"Thanks for the save, Lancelot."

I smirked. "No problemo, Mullet." I hooked my bayard back to the slot on the wall, and deactivated my shield. Hunk and Pidge appeared besides me, both grinning. "Lance my man, that was AWESOME!" Hunk gushed. "Thanks, I guess." Tomi quickly joined me at the wall. "Lance, you have improved." I huffed. "Thank you, Tomi." He smiled. Allura walked through the doors, her face grave.

"Paladins, I'm afraid it's time to do the mind-melding exercise."

I flinched. "Oh. Can I, uh, sit this one out?" I asked her hopefully. She shook her head. "No. I'm sorry, Lance. It'll go one at a time, okay?" I shivered. "Okay. I should probably go last." Keith shot me a look. Was that worry? Tomi grasped my hand. "It'll be okay. Just try to think of happy memories, alright?" He mumbled assuringly. I nodded. I slowly approached the machine, and slipped the helmet on.

Pidge went first.

Her memories were about night terrors and her family.

Hunk went second.

His memories were of homesickness and anxiety.

Shiro went third.

His memories were of what he remembered from the Galra, and the stress of being Voltron's leader.

Keith went fourth.

His memories were of loneliness and anger.

Keith clicked the helmet off, and the others sat up and looked at me. "Guys, t-this is a really bad idea." My voice cracked. Keith glared. "We all went, and now it's your turn." I shakily laid down and closed my eyes.

And the memories started to flow.
_____
-Keith's POV-

Lance's memories started out happy. He was with his family. I growled. "At least he HAS a family." I thought to myself. Memories of the Garrison and himself with the rest of us in the castle projected into our minds.

Something was wrong.

So many memories were grainy and glitched, like they weren't real at all. I didn't remember several of the memories that played out in front of us, when it hit me hard.