Frozen Away

Sleeping Beauty

I opened my eyes a bit to be blinded by the light. I blinked a few times, groaning a bit and looked up to see who was currently holding me. Much to my surprise a familiar mullet popped into my field of view and looked at me with the most sincere look of concern I've ever seen. He tilted his head to me a bit and I nodded, trying to stand only to feel pain shoot up my legs and send me crashing to the floor with a grunt. Slowly sitting up, realization hit me and I started to laugh, Keith kneeling down beside me.

"What? What's so funny?" He gave me a once over, looking even more confused, "Are you okay?"

I nodded and waved my hand to swat away his worry. "Yeah, yeah.. Heh, I'll be fine. My legs are just frozen in place." I broke out laughing again and Keith was quick to clap back in frustration.

"Lance! This isn't a time to be joking!"

"Oh, oh no, I'm not laughing because its a joke. I'm laughing because of how ironic it is." I smile up to him patting my thigh. "My legs literally are 'frozen' in place. They aren't actually frozen, well not anymore, but they are temporarily stuck in place." I saw him become even more confused as he looked at me for an answer. "Remember how I coughed up ice before I blacked out?" A nod, "Well, my body was freezing itself. Like freeze freezing itself, ice and all. It happens when I over use, wait for the spoiler, my powers." I ran my hands over my head in a rainbow grinning at him. He rolled his eyes, sitting down beside me.

"So... what happened out there was from you? It wasn't red or a modification?"

"Nope." Popping the 'p' a bit I leaned back on one of my hands, "All me, not that I particularity enjoyed it. And well, the laser bit was still red,  but the white band around the laser and what caused the ships to shatter was me." I held up my other hand, looking at it, making note that it was still a bit paler than my skin tone.

Keith was about to say something before Hunk and Pidge came running in filling the room with their cries and words of concern. Hunk swooped down and plucked me from the ground, taking me into a bone crushing hug, screaming about how worried he was and how glad he is that I'm alright with Pidge clinging onto the both of us. Over his shoulder I saw Coran and Allura walk in with relieved smiles on their face but my stomach dropped when I saw Allura. She was the first one to know despite all of the others expressing their doubts. She was the first to reject the fact I had powers and was screaming about how I didn't deserve them. Hunk must have picked up on my discomfort because he quickly suggested that we go get me something to eat and quickly carried me out of the room before anyone could suggest otherwise. Even if I wanted to protest about being carried bridal-style, I couldn't walk so I just laid my head on his shoulder sighing a bit.

"Hunk..?"

"Yeah?" he looked down at me as he walked.

"Can, can you just take me to one your rooms?" I looked down to the floor, making it known I didn't want to say why in public.

"Sure buddy."

He motioned for Pidge to come with him as he changed course and headed to his room. Once we were in there he set me down on his bed and I whispered him a small thanks. I kept my gaze on the floor, and tried to move my toes, being barely able to.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Pidge spoke up as they sat on the desk that was across the room from the bed.

I let out a small scoff and smiled faintly, "What's there to talk about my dear Pidgin?"

"Lance you know what they mean.." Hunk put his hand on my back and I let out a breath.

"How long was I out?"

"Seven days. We thought you wouldn't survive for awhile, but you pulled through." He spoke calmly, slightly chuckling at the end of his statement.

"Is Red okay? Is everyone alright?"

"Yeah. Red had minor damage but all of the Lions are fine and the same goes for us." Pidge paused a bit, "You know, everyone was worried about you... Even Allura-"

"Is that because she cares or is it only because I might be part Altean now?" I snapped looking over at them.

"What do you mean?" Pidge looked worried and confused as Hunk looked at them and then me.

"I heard what Coran said when I was in the pod. Yes its true, I have Ice Powers and yes it has caused my body to change. But I also heard how he said I am similar to the druids of legend from Altea." I looked over at the both of them planting my feet to the ground. "And don't you dare tell me you don't remember how easily she trusts other Alteans." To say I was frustrated right now is an understatement.

"Lance, we can't tell you yes or no to that," Hunk made me look at him as he spoke, "and yeah,  I'll agree that her being so worried is a bit fishy, but she is still concerned. All you can do at this point is get rested, eat some food goo and talk to us about what's going on. I know you've always been secretive but this is too much. Even Keith didn't hide the fact he was part Galra when he could have easily kept it a secrete."

Hunk was looking at me with a bit of a scold and I backed down, sighing a bit. He was right and I knew it. We sat there in silence until I broke it with a sigh.

"I'm sorry guys... This whole thing has just been putting me in a lot of stress for the past few months. If its even been that long, maybe its been even longer..." my voice trailed off a bit.  "Just when Allura reacted to Keith the way she did, I panicked."

"Hey, we can understand that," Pidge smiled and walked over to me. "There's nothing wrong about that, but there is something wrong with what you're wearing." They grinned a bit and poked at my shoulder.

"Ah, your words hurt me, but I agree. This outfit doesn't razzle enough." I grinned and slowly stood up with the help of Hunk. "Have everyone meet in the lounge in ten?"

"Its a date then." Hunk smiled to me as we all walked out of his room.

I waved goodbye to them once we got to my room. I unlocked the door and walked in, breathing in the familiar scent. If three out of five were okay with who I am everything would be alright. I have a fleet of lions backing me as well so if anything, I am just overthinking this. Hell, even my monster buddy seemed to like me now. I slung on my jacket and re-locked my door, heading to the lounge. One good thing about hitting the bottom is that there is only one way to go and its about time I had my chance to look up.