An Age a Month

3 Years part 1

"What did you do to Lance?" Hunk shouted. Said boy shrunk behind the Lorvan as tears silently fell, scared.

"I simply did what would help him best. Thats my job" The Lorvan said.

"By turning him into a child?!" Pidge shouted stepping forward towards the pair.

Lance quietly peered at the group before him. Not recognising anyone, yet they all seemed somewhat familiar. A tall lady with long white hair stood with a ginger haired man. They reminded him of someone but couldn't put his finger on it.

The pair that we shouting, we slightly scary. There was a big man with black and white hair, but it seemed his gut told him to be wary of him. The last person was the guy with black hair, he looked concerned, eyes almost looking for him it seemed. It was oddly comforting. The shouting continued before Lance let out a sob and ran towards Keith.

He barrelled into Keith's legs clingy to one, crying. "Scary, scary" was all Keith made out as the child buried his head into Keith's leg. Hunk and Pidge stopped shouting at the Lorvan and turned to Lance.

Hunk moved forward already spilling apologies. But Lance was having none of it. Keith looked down on the teary but adorable child version of Lance, before wrapping a protective arm around him.

Hunk paused. Realising Lance was scared and had no idea what was going on or who he was around.

"I assure you that this wasn't done to hinder you Paladins." The Lorvan said.

"Then why?" asked Allura.

"That is not my place to say, but this was the best way to help Lance. Maybe this will help you understand each other better too." The Lorvan then disappeared back to his hut.

The team exchanged glances. Shiro stepped forwards and tried to talk to Lance.

"Hey Kiddo, do you remember who we are?"

The child peered around Keith's leg and looked at Shiro. Lance burst into more tears and hid behind Keith completely. Shiro stepped back, not wanting to scare him further. "Does he not recognise any of us?" Hunk asked.

"Doesn't look that way" Shiro replied.

"What are we going to do?" Keith asked, gently stroking Lances hair calming him down.

Allura moved carefully towards Lance. "Hi Lance, you may not remember us, but we are your friends."

Lance peered up around Keith. He stared at Allura for a long time, before he reached his arms out towards her. Keith could hear Pidge snickered muttering something to hug about Lances flirting with Allura, before Lance utter one word, that silenced everyone.

"Mama?"

Allura froze with shock as Lance moved to reach out to her, tears forming as Allura hadn't moved. Allura shook herself back to reality before crouching.

"I'm sorry Lance, I'm not your mum." Lance immediately drew back to Keith, tears forming in his eyes.

"It's okay" Allura said quickly. "We are here to look after you."

Lance peered cautiously round Keith's leg. "Really?" he asked.

"Yes, you can call me auntie 'Lura if you want." Lance gave her a small smile but stayed at Keith's side. Having clearly picked his favourite.

"Why don't we head back to the ship." Coran suggested. "I'm going to talk to the Queen about what has happened."

~~

Coran took his time talking with the Queen as the rest of the team headed back to the ship. A now sleeping toddler sized Lance carried by Keith. No one knew what to say. What had Lance been thinking, what had he been going through on his own for this to be the outcome of their trip.

"What are we going to do?" Keith asked.

Allura sighed and shrugged. "All we can do if be there for Lance as we figure out a way to reverse this. Keith he clearly likes you, so it would make sense that you are his primary carer. We don't want to panic or scare him"

Keith nodded as they entered the castle Lance woke up and lifted his head off Keith's shoulder.

"Where Mama?"

What could they say. Hey baby Lance we are in the middle of bringing peace to the universe while fighting the Galra. We are in space and nowhere near Earth or your family... Not really something a child could understand. Keith stepped forward seeming to sense Lance was close to crying properly again.

"We are having a space adventure while your mum looks after your siblings." Keith said.

"KEITH! we need to talk about this properly, we don't how Lance will take this. we don't even know how old he is" Shiro said.

Hunk started rambling about Lance alway being a small scrawny kid, not really being able to tell how old he is at this stage. He looked no older than one, one and a half maybe.

Keith shrugged and looked at Lance. He seemed to be processing what Keith had said, he looked up at Keith before smiling. Lance reached up and lightly patted Keith cheek, as it was the highest he could reach. "We home soon" he stated rather than questions. Keith chuckled and Lance smiled proud he had made him laugh.

"stay with you?" He asked.

Keith hesitated, before nodding. "Lance can you tell us how old you are?"

Lance nodded excitedly. "This many" and he held up 3 fingers. Keith immediately looked to Shiro, concerned. Lance yawned and rested his head on Keith shoulder. Lance was really light and skinny for a three year old. Deciding to discuss this later, Keith left to bring Lance to his room, hoping he might recognise something.

Reaching Lance's room, Keith sat down with Lance on the bed. He attempted to put Lance on the bed, but he refused to let go.

"Come on Lance, you are tired, get some sleep."

"No" Lance started wailing. "you said, I stay with you!"

Keith dead panned, he took it seriously. "Okay, okay, I won't go anywhere."

Keith laid down with the child, and Lance almost instantly fell asleep. Keith kept his arms around Lance as he fell asleep, slowly stroking his hair.