The Secrets Within Ourselves (KLANCE)

Christmas Carols

Song of the Chapter:
King - Lauren Aquilina

A/N: Squemonn, writing a Christmas chapter/oneshot three months after Christmas? It's more likely than you think.
But in all seriousness, I had this drafted out during Christmas but never got around to actually revising and posting it. I apologize for the delay, but hey, at least you're getting it!
Thank you for your support. I love you all ♥

Christmas? It was an important holiday for the McClain family. The past few years had been a struggle with Lance's father, but they were finally able to get back into the festive spirit.
This year, Lance had insisted on going back to the cabin.
The cabin.
The cabin that changed everything.
The place that he fell through the ice.
His mom has been skeptical at first, but per Lance's insistence, she finally caved.

The place was a fairly large sized cabin alongside the Canadian border. Cozy, inviting, and out of the constant hustle of the city. Lance has invited the team to come over for the holidays.
It was strange to be back. Everything he did brought alongside a deep rush of nostalgia - putting ornaments on the tree, hanging the stockings, making a fire, taking his siblings out to see the snow. This was the first year they would be here without his father.
A gentle hand rested and squeezed his shoulder as he sat on the couch, listening to the crackle of the fire. He looked back at his mother, who had a warm smile on her face. Reassuring.
"Are you doing alright, cariño?"
Lance hummed with a nod. "Yeah. I'm just... thinking."
"It's weird without him here, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Lance ran a hand through his hair. "I can't say whether I'm happy or upset about it."
She smiled, before patting his head. "Come help your sister put the sweater on Kova."
He smiled, before getting up and coming to squat next to his younger sibling. "Is Kova not cooperating?"
"No," Veronica pouted. "He needs the sweater to stay warm if he goes out with us!"
"Here, let me help you."
Lance took the cat in his hands, carefully pulling the little sweater vest over the cat's head. The paws were a challenge, and Kova's meows of complaints were loud.
"Oh hush," Lance chided the cat. "It's not going to kill you."
"Come on Kova!" Veronica called the cat once it was deposited back onto the ground. Veronica was obviously excited to go outside. "Let's go!"
Lance watched as his little sister carried the cat out before taking his phone out to call Keith.
It took a second before Keith picked up.

"Hey, are you guys almost here?"

There was snickering, before Keith responded.

"Uhhh, no, actually. We may or may not be currently detained at the Canadian border."

Lance raised an eyebrow, mouth quirking up in a smile.
"Okay, how did you manage to do that?"

"SOMEBODY said 'not really' when we were asked if we had any weapons in the car. Have to go through this long fucking process now."

A muffled, "I'm sorry!" Was heard from Pidge, then a collection of giggling.

"God you guys are insufferable. Okay, well come when you can."

"We will probably be there in about 30 minutes or something, maybe more."

"Cool. See you soon. Drive safe!"

Lance hung up, before going and joining his sister in the snow.

Keith kept to his word. The group arrived around 45 minutes later, the tires rolling up the icy, gravel driveway. Veronica was already running to meet them as they climbed out of the car.
"PIIIIDGE!!!"
The little girl leapt into Pidge's arms, the short teen laughing. "Hi there kiddo! Woah, you've grown!"
Keith came up, and Lance stole a kiss. "Hey," he smiled. "Was the drive okay?"
"Besides being held up a few minutes at the border, it went well. Shiro, Allura, Romelle, and Matt are coming, they just had to stop for gas."
"Awesome. Come on, I'll help you guys carry stuff inside."