Cracked But Not Broken

Chapter Four: Home

"We did it." Pidge murmurs. "We finally did it."

"We defeated the Galra Empire." Hunk let's out a hiccup of a sob. "It's finally over."

The coms are silent as we fly back to the hanger. I think we're all still processing the battle. The long, strenuous battle. It raged on for hours and I wasn't sure if we would pull through. But we did. And we won.

I land Blue, leaning against the seat and let out the long held breath of relief. With a grin on my face I walk out of Blue and toward the lounge. I enter the room as a small creature latches onto me while screaming in delight.

"We did it Lance!" Pidge looks up from my chest with tears pooling in her eyes. Happy tears. Everyone begins to cheer and surprised my ears aren't acting up.

Hunk is in the kitchen whipping up the closest thing to a celebratory cake. Pidge is bouncing around moving ingredients and messing with Hunk's mind.

Shiro appears to be taking a celebratory nap. But the dude needs it.

Coran and Allura are both crying happy tears together, they've been in the smack dab center of this war much longer than us.

But my eyes still search the room for a certain mullet. I can't find it until it's right under my nose. Quite literally.

Keith has his arms wrapped around my waist while his head in tucked under my chin. "I'm gonna miss seeing your stupid face." He mumbles.

"And I'm gonna miss that horrendous haircut of yours." I chuckle into his mullet. It's actually really soft.

I finally get to go home.
I finally get to see my family.
Even if that means I'm leaving my space family to be with them.

Baby time skip brought to you by Shiro's haircut

Earth looks so different from space. It's something I'll never get used to. We're all going our separate ways.

Hunk is going home to cook with his loving family. Pidge the gremlin is going back to terrorize their family. Shiro, Coran, and Allura are heading to the Garrison to explain the whole war thing. Keith is probably going to mope in his desert shack. Without another thought I fly home. To Cuba.

I land Blue down on a beach close to my house. I want to feel the crisp air on my skin. Smell the salty water. Hear the voices of my family.

I continue to race through the streets on my home. But start to slow when I see wreckage on the outskirts of town. What happened here.

My heart starts to pound in my ears as I pick up my pace again. They have to be okay. They have to be.

I come to a complete stop when I get to my street. I wouldn't have been able to find my house anyway. It wasn't even there anymore, it was just rubble.

I stumbled closer to what I had to guess to be my house. In front of the remains was a small metal sign.

In loving memory of the McClain Family.
Those who sadly perished in Hurricane Rich will be remembered.

I read and reread the sign over and over again. My knees buckle and I collapse to the ground. Tears streaming down my face and I realize what this means.

I'm all alone.

I awake with a gasp. My chest is tight and it's hard to breath. I have to move. I have to get out of this room.

I heave my shaking body out of my bed and into the hallway. I run. I run as far away from my room as I can before my knees give out from under me. It's cold. So, so cold. I don't even recognize the part of the castle I'm in.

I press myself against the cold, metal walls in hope it will give me comfort. But it doesn't.

Burying my head in my knees I let it all out. All of the tears. All of the anguish. All of the sadness. All of the fear.

After what feels like hours I feel a hand on my shoulder. It brings me back to reality. My eyes drift toward an orange mustache and I feel safe again.

Coran doesn't say a word just raises me off the floor and puts an arm around my shoulders to keep me steady. He guides me toward what I guess is the lounge. I'm too lost in this maze of a castle to know where I'm going.

We enter the lounge only to find Pidge typing away on her computer and Hunk starting breakfast.

I hear a quiet gasp from Hunk when he sees the state I'm in. I feel Coran gently guide me to the couch and his arm slipping away. I allow the warm cushions of the couch to give me comfort. To give me warmth.

"Hunk, I believe our friend here had a panic attack. I know you know what to do to help." Coran begins. "Pidge, I need you to get Lance a thick blanket. I found him in one of the coldest parts of the castle. I, however, must continue to my morning ritual." With that he bounds out of the room.

Pidge scampers out of the room while Hunk tears through the cabinets to find who knows what.

"Do you want marshmallows-er well the closest thing they have to marshmallows-in your hot chocolate?" Hunk asks without taking his eyes away from the cabinets.

Hot chocolate. Something Hunk and I would make any time we had a rough day in the Garrison. He knows just what to do to make me feel better.

"M-Marshmallows. All the way." I give a small smile as Pidge slides back into he room with their arms full.

They dump the contents of their arms onto me. Thankfully the contents only consist of warm blankets.

After I am almost completely covered by the blankets, only my face and hands can be seen, Pidge curls up beside me with a sympathetic smile.

"You're safe here Lance. Just know that. We're all here for you when things go bad." Pidge says quietly beside me.

"Their right," Hunk smiles and sets the warm cup of hot chocolate in my hands. "We're all here for each other. We love you Lance. Now drink that up and we'll have a full day of relaxation. I bet Coran will tell Allura what's going on."

I give a nod and sip at the hot drink. I lick the sticky marshmallows off my lips and look toward Hunk and Pidge with a genuine smile. "Thank you guys so much. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Well you don't have to think about that. Cause we're here together and we're never leaving." Pidge states firmly. "Now lets go play some video games. I'm in the mood to kick virtual ass."

1158 words folks!!! Let's goooooo! I hope you're enjoying it. Also sorry I haven't posted in a while. Until next time, Zoe signing off.