The flying Paladin

Chapter 15

(And we're back to Lance's POV) Also sorry for the delay, I just got back from a church retreat camp called MOVE. It was literally amazing :) 

It was so blurry.

I could just barely make out figures, but even if I could , I doubt I'd be able to see who was there. Why does my head hurt so damn much? And where the actual fuck am I? Did I drink something? Jesus when did I become a black-out drunk?

Suddenly the blurriness left. It took me second to realize that I was falling. I braced myself for impact but the floor was a lot softer than I remembered it to be...and why was it so muscular? 

I looked up and flushed, Shiro's concerned face finally registering in my brain. "Guess I'm falling for you, Keith better watch out, huh?" I said blearily, my brain feeling more than slightly foggy. "What  happened?"

"You don't remember...?" Shiro asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Remember...? Remember what?" I asked, looking up to see the faces of the rest of the team, Pidge was staring down guiltily at the floor, while Hunk glowered at her. Keith just stared at me, his face red. "What happened?"

"There was a battle..." Shiro said, drawing my attention. "And we got stuck. And we couldn't use our jet packs....and you saved us."

The sudden flood of memories gave me a headache. And holy shit-buckets and french fries! I revealed my secret to them! They know that I have wings! The sudden fear allows me to push free of Shiro's grip. I scoot away from him as quickly as possible, my eyes wide as I scan the room for any sign of danger. 

"Lance...it's okay," Hunk says. He slowly walks forward and I allow him to approach me because I know he'll never hurt me. Ever. "Lance calm down, Shiro and Keith aren't going to hurt you."  

I look at him skeptically, because really? Everyone hurts me. Whether it's physically, mentally or emotionally. I'm always hurt.

"Lance," Shiro says. I snap my head up to see his eyes as they bore into mine. "Lance I swear, I swear, I will never hurt you. Never." 

"N-Never?" I ask, knowing he can't make that promise. Because even if it's not on purpose, him being with Keith without me hurts me. But I'm not selfish and I will never ever say anything about that. They're never going to find out and that's just how I want it. I'm going to take that secret to my grave. 

"Never." I let myself drop my defensive position, my arms and legs relaxing out of the stiff position they were in, at Shiro's sincere words. He's means it, even if he can't keep it. 

"Lance, I'm sorry," Keith's voice surprised me. He was staring at me with....tears? Holy shit! Tears in his eyes, his violet orbs watering as he stared at me. 

"Keith I--" I start to say, guilt washing over him at the tears. 

"No, Lance, I am." Keith said, effectively shutting me up. "I had no idea about everything, but that's no excuse for the things I did. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I say, willing myself not to cry. "I forgive you."

"Lance, I think it's time we all had a talk," Shiro said. My mood darkened. Of course we'd have a talk. Fuck.

"I...I guess?" I answered, knowing that this was going to suck. 

"Let's move to the lounge," Shiro said, helping me to stand. I took his galran hand hesitantly, but he grasped me firmly to steady me. "Hunk? Do you mind grabbing Lance some food, Keith and I need to talk to Lance seperetly." 

"What am I? Brussels Sprouts?" Pidge cried, raising her hands up in the air.

"Yes." Shiro responded, laughing at the defeated expression Pidge held.

"Can't argue with that," she shrugged. "Hunk, wait up!"

I watched as my last hope for rescue ran out the room, tricked into food and Hunk's amazing hugs. I followed Shiro and Keith awkwardly. Shiro had never let go of my hand and it was making me flush. I was holding Shiro's hand!

We entered the lounge, and Shiro sat me down on one of the many plush couches. Shiro sat down on the chair in front of me, with Keith at his feet. The silence was suffocating. 

"So, pretty crazy week, right?" I said, twiddling my thumbs. I relaxed a little when Shiro laughed.

"You could say that again." he said. "Everything's happened so fast. Which leads to the first question, how are you feeling?"

"I don't feel sick," I offered. Shiro looked at me, a deadpanned expression resting on his beautiful face. 

"You know that's not what I meant."

I sighed. "I don't know how to feel, honestly." I said. "I mean, the secret I've been keeping for a while has just come out into the open and I mean...you don't seem to hate me so that's good--"

"Lance we could never hate you!" Keith cried. I fought to keep in a laugh. If only he knew, I thought bitterly. 

"Lance it's okay to be uncertain," Shiro said, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. I shivered. "We just want you to know that we're here for you."

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden--"

"Enough with this 'burden' bullshit. You're not a burden!" Keith said. He grasped my face in his hand and looked me deep in the eyes. "You, Lance McClain are a useful, and perfect and necessary member of  Voltron!" 

My eyes watered slightly, and his thumbs brushed away the tears that managed to escape. "Thanks Keith," I croaked out. 

"Now," Shiro said, smiling at me. "Since we've covered that, there's something else we need to talk to you about."

"Okay," I said, feeling ready. I'm prepared for whatever happens next because I know that they won't kick me out of Voltron. 

"Lance, we know." Shiro said. I raised an eyebrow.

"Know what?"

"That you have crushes on us."

Oh. Fuck.