An Age a Month

17 Years

The Paladins plus Coran relaxed in the lounge after finishing up their latest training exercise.

"Phew! I'm beat!" Exclaimed Hunk, he sat next to Pidge who was tinkering away with Rover. Probably more upgrades.

"Me too, looking forward to a bit of relaxing" Lance said. Said boy was sprawled across a single couch. Shiro, Allura and Coran sat gracefully on the other.

"We can't relax for too long Paladins, we need to figure out what our next move is to bring peace to the universe." 

Groans could be heard from the Cuban boy. But Allura just rolled her eyes as the door to lounge swished open.

"Can't handle a little extra training?" A very familiar voice called out.

Sitting up immediately Lance saw Keith enter to room and sat down next to him.

"I can" he retorted. " I just need my beauty sleep"

Keith just smirked. 'of course he does' he thought as Lance sat up. 

"Y-your back? For good?" he asked. Keith almost frowned, Lance sounded so quiet. Like he was... worried he would leave again. To be fair, they had bonded before Keith left for the blade. Keith understood a part of Lance's insecurities while he supported Keith as leader. As far as Keith was concerned they were decent friends, no silly rival.

"yeah" was all he could reply. 

To everyone's shook Lance leapt forward and pulled Keith into a hug. Surprised, Keith slowly wrapped his arms around him. As the rest of the team laughed and went to copy the red paladin. Keith felt Lance's head move closer towards him.

"Please don't leave again" he whispered. 

Everyone had now joined the hug with choruses over welcome back. But Keith's mind was on Lance, (as usual) but what had just happened was so unlike him. The hug dispersed and Allura stepped forward.

"I think this is a cause for a celebratory day. I propose that we spend the next couple days relaxing. Coran and I know that their is a spa like planet nearby."

"I can't wait, it'll be nice to have a break" Hunk exclaimed. 

"We will arrive tomorrow, we know the planet and it's people well, so landing shouldn't be a problem."

After that everyone slowly trickled back to their rooms. Soon it was just Lance and Keith. Still sitting next to each other, Lance fiddled with his fingers staring at his lap. 

"I really am glad you came back." Lance finally broke the silence. 

"Is everything okay Lance?" Keith asked. This behaviour is so different to Lance's usual demeanour. 

Lance eventually looked up at him and nodded. "Just really glad your back, i-we need you... and your ridiculous mullet." 

Keith let out a laugh. 

"Well someone needs to make fun of it huh?" 

Lance smiled before getting up. "I'm heading to bed, even though tomorrow is spa day, I still need my face mask" 

He waved absentmindedly as he walked out of the lounge. The door closed long before Keith made the move to his own room. 

~~~

The next day came around and the paladins and Coran headed to the main part of the Lorvale planet. The local lorvan's watched in awe as the paladins walked through the beach like village. The whole planet looked like a giant spa, there a pools of water everywhere and small wooden houses and buildings dotted around. Lorvan's were similar to humans except their skin was a pale pink colour and weren't very tall. 

"Wow, this place is amazing" Pidge said. 

"Welcome paladins of Voltron, I am Vara, Queen of Lorvale." a kind voice called out. In front of a big white building stood the Queen of Lorvale. "we expected your arrival, and must take this opportunity to thank you for defending our planet and the universe."

"As you may know, we pride ourselves in our healing and relaxing abilities for your emotional well being. To achieve this we have arranged a private session for each of you. Our people are able to read your deepest desires and what we feel will best help you." 

As she spoke 7 Lorvan's gathered in front of the paladins. "Please follow your healer and we hope you are able to relax."

"Thank you Queen Vara, we appreciate your kindness" Princess Allura replied bowing slightly before the lorvan's guided a paladin to a separate hut. Lance seemed to hesitate before he followed his designated Lorvan, what would they see exactly. Would he be able to hide his past and what he's going through. 

The Lorvan sensed the paladins hesitation and gently took his hand. He kept hidden what he did for a reason. The nightmares, his past... his family. As he walked, Lance repeated 'no one will know if you have no one to tell,  you are no one, nothing...'

~~

One by one the paladins returned to the centre of the village by one of the pools. First was Coran, his time was spent relaxing with the natural teas from Lorvale and idle chatter with his Lorvan. Talking about Altea, the paladins and the war, getting things of his chest and taking the time to sit and rest. 

Next to join him was Allura. She took part in relaxing massages and spa like treatments to take her mind of things and release the tension of the war. Pidge was next, spending her time tinkering with the limited technology on Lorvale and actually sleeping with herbal remedies by the Lorvan's.

Hunk and Shiro return at the same time discussing their time with their healers. Hunk was given many recipes and ingredients for teas and food that he could spend more time creating. Shiro, was given some sleeping remedies to help with his nightmare and flashbacks and spent most of his time ranting to the Lorvan. 

Keith was next, who insisted he didn't need to relax and refused to speak about what he did during that time. By the time Keith arrived back it had been a few hours since they started their sessions and Lance wasn't in sight. 

"I wonder what his treatment was?" Pidge asked. 

"Probably talking about home.." Hunk said. "that or his flirting skills" 

Everyone laughed, only stopping when the Lorvan that Lance had gone with return alone.  Or so it seemed.

"Greetings Paladins, I came personally as I felt the little one would get lost otherwise." He bowed before he stepped aside to reveal a little boy who stood next to the Lorvan holding his hand and clutching the Lorvan's top, peeking at the group. 

His ocean blue eyes wandered curiously over the group, before tears began to form. His signature jacket was too big but had other clothes to fit. 

Hunk was the first to speak.

"is-is that Lance!"