Voltron OneShots

Goodbye

TW: homophobia, self harm, bullying

"Before we go, let's do a final bonding exercise," Allura said, pulling out the mind connectors. It was their last day on Earth, but I'd decided to say here. We had too many paladins with Shiro back. When I'd proposed it, it was met with uncertain shuffling, but they eventually all agreed.
"I'll go first," Pidge said. We'd set aside several hours for it, since we'd played back all the vital memories that made us who we are.
It was bittersweet, but I went last. I was dreading this. With the new castle, they'd upgraded these systems to be more invasive. Maybe I could still suppress those memories.
The first one was when my baby sister, Alana, was born. I had been eight at the time. The next one was my first day of sixth grade and my sisters drove me to school. The following was me in seventh grade finding 'F****t' engraved in my locker. Then was eighth grade. Me being cornered in the bathroom and beat up. Me being expelled for fighting back. My doctors recommending conversion therapy. Going to a conversion camp. Then came the memories I really wanted to suppress. Ninth grade, the first time I cut. Tenth grade, my friend Jade took me shopping.
"Oh, this would be cool on you." Jade picked up a muscle tank. I shrugged and added it to my pile. Then I was in the dressing room, looking at all the scars on my arms. I immediately took it off and put my hoodie back on.
"No?" Jade frowned.
"Don't like it," I'd said as I walked past her.
It only got worse from there.
Me not being good enough for Voltron. The disabling memories of being yelled at by my team, scolded by Allura and Shiro, which had brought forth recollections of my parents fighting.
None of it phased me anymore. Once the reel ended, I took off the headband and ran outside. I sat on the roof of Pidge's house, watching the sun set as I wiped away tears on my face. I cursed myself. Keith was probably disgusted. Shiro and Allura probably understood why I was a failure at Voltron; because I was a failure to begin with. Coran most likely was disappointed. Pidge and Hunk were possibly upset because I couldn't handle any criticism.
I- Keith and I were in a stage where we both liked each other, but we weren't a thing yet. It was horrible to think of him grossed out by me.
"Lance," a voice said from behind me. Pidge.
"I don't want sympathy, Pidge," I said harshly.
"No, Lance, I want to ask you something." She sat down next to me.
"What?"
"Will you go with us tomorrow? I- I can't stand to leave you here. You're my best friend, Lance. I don't know what I'd do. You can have Green if you want, even. Just come with us, please."
I was silent. Pidge sighed and left me.
"Lance?" A different voice sat next to me. Keith.
"Hey," I said, not looking at him.
"Can you seriously consider Pidge's question? She-we- I need you, Lance."
I was silent but the waterworks went on again. Keith offered his hand to me, and I leaned against his shoulder.
Over the course of the next hour, Hunk, Shiro, Allura, Coran, Pidge again and Keith again, repeated the similar conversation. It was almost dark when Pidge came along again. I hadn't moved from the roof, but they'd brought me water and food and comfort. I had pulled my knees to my chest and rested my head on my knees. She didn't sit down.
"Lance," Pidge spoke quietly, "I'm sorry. You can stay if you want. We'd like you there, though. You can just lay in the lounge all day or want to pilot Black. We don't care. We just wouldn't be the same without you."
I didn't respond, but she sat down.
"You are my best friend because you believe me. You were the only one who never even suspected me being a girl. You helped me hide my garbage aliens from Allura when we were cleaning out our rooms. You bought a fucking cow at a space mall! There is no replacement for you, on Voltron, on Earth, or in my heart. Whatever you choose, remember I won't give up on you." She sat and stared at the dark purple sky. I glanced over at her and saw her crying.
"Pidge," I said. I realized now. They wanted me there. It wasn't pity. It was something they really cared about. They wanted me on the team. They wanted me on the team! I started bawling like a seven year old who'd dropped their ice cream. Pidge folded into me and we cried there for a while, until I carried her to her room inside.
"So, what do say?" Shiro prompted.
"I'll go," I said quietly. I was soon enveloped in a group bear hug. "I'm so sorry, guys."
"Don't apologize, Lance," Allura said.
"It's our fault for not paying attention all this time," Hunk said.
"We should be saying sorry!" Coran sobbed. I laughed a little. We broke apart and I saw Keith flee the room. I slowly followed him. I found him at the dining room table.
"Keith, I-I'm sorry." I lingered in the doorway. He might've been mad at me.
"No! I mean, don't be. I'm not mad at you, if that's what you're thinking." He slowly approached me until we were standing a foot apart.
"I promise I'll be better, Keith, I promise. Just don't leave me," I said, suddenly paranoid.
"Lance, I'm not going to leave you." He put his hand on the side of my face and made me look at him. "I promise."
"Y-you're not mad at me?" He shook his head. "Not even disappointed?"
"No! Lance! I'm not disappointed in you. I'm not upset. I just figured you maybe didn't want to see me right away."
"I always want to see you," I exclaimed. "I would give my life to see your face when I wake up in the morning." Keith blushed.
"No, stop, this isn't about me," he said sheepishly. I flung my arms around him and he laughed as I nearly knocked him over.
I was practically stuck on him when we left Earth the next day.

WC: 1065
A/N: 400+ reads! Yay! This was oddly written. I don't know?