I Miss You

The Cards We're Dealt

"Hey, Lance!" Hunk called out to where he could see his best friend by his locker. Lance looked up at the sound of his name and waved him over.

"What's up?" He asked while Hunk walked over to stand next to Lance, adjusting his bag strap. 'The way he always does when he gets nervous' Lance notes, pushed a book into his locker before turning fully to face Hunk, an easy smile gracing his face.

"Me and the team were wondering if you'd be up to joining us in Baseball practice after school today?" He ask, still fiddling with his bag strap.

The smile faded off the Cuban's features. "I don't know, Hunk. I have a doctors appointment later..."

"Yeah! I remember you telling me about that... It's not till 4:00 though, right?" Hunk asked, dropping the strap in favor of fixing his hair band.

This topic always made him feel on edge, Lance knew this. He wished there was something he could do to ease his friend's anxiety, but no matter how many times he tells Hunk he's fine, it doesn't seem to be enough of a reassurance for him. It's understandable, Hunk was the one who had seen Lance collapse, called the ambulance that took him to the hospital were he had stayed with Lance everyday until he was discharged. Lance was fully aware of how this situation weighed on his best friend, and Lance wished he could help Hunk they way he has helped him.

But at Hunk's inquiry, Lance was smiling again, snapping his fingers. "That's right! Yeah, I'll meet you guys down by the field at 2:00 then, I'll just have to watch the time."

"Great!" Hunk's whole face brightened up. Baseball had always been something that he and Lance did together ever since they were little, but they haven't gotten to play much recently because of Lance's heart condition. Lance hadn't been aloud to join the team this year, but he still came to some of the practices and games. Sometimes even Coach Shirogane would let him join in on practice, which never failed to bring a smile to everyone's faces, including Hunk's.

Lance looped his arm around Hunk's shoulders as they started making their way to their next class, chatting excitedly about the upcoming practice.

-

As soon as the final bell rang, Lance was out the door. He shrugged his bag on over one shoulder and pulled out his phone.

Lance: im going to hang with the guys at practice if thats ok

He only had to wait a second before he got a reply.

Mom: sure thing sweetie 😘 just make sure your home by 3:30 for your appointment, and be careful!

Lance: thanks mom love you and i will!

Grinning excitedly, Lance turned on an alarm for 3:30, turned off his phone off, and made a bee line for the front doors of the building. He nearly ran all the way out back to the baseball field. He was only half way there when he heard the satisfying crack of a baseball bat solidly hitting a fast ball.

No one had noticed his arrival yet, so he snuck up to where the fence was low by the gate, dropped his bag on the ground, and watched as Coach Shiro helped Pidge with her stance. Keith stood on the pitchers mound with a ball in hand. Allura was on First base, Hunk on second. Third base was currently being occupied by Matt, but normally he and Pidge were in the out field. Seeing as Pidge was practicing batting right now, and the rest of the team has yet to show up, it made sense.

Lance used to play third base, with James and Nadia on short stop, and Acxa was their catcher. Ryan was center field, and their manager in training was Ina. This year they have Ryan on third, but he wasn't as comfortable in that position as he was in the outfield. At least, that's what he's told Lance in passing before. It was only the beginning of the season though, so there was time to improve, and Lance was more than willing to help his teammate adjust.