A Chance For Him

Chapter 6: Observations of a grumpy tech wiz

(I love all of the paladins, but this video seemed appropriate for this chapter because it is in pidge's perspective. Also, shoutout to Brook_UWU_May for continued support and encouragement.)

Lance is one of my best friends. I've known him since the first day at the garrison. He and Hunk took me in, no matter how much I protested. Lance reminded me a lot of my older brother. His devil may care attitude. The way he always seemed to know when I was upset and cheered me up without invading my privacy unless I wanted to.

Now that we were in space sometimes I would sneak into his room and talk about my insecurities. My hopes and dreams. My fears. The things that I never usually tell anyone, but he always pretended to be asleep. He would never bring it up unless I did.

So, I did the same thing for him. I had noticed that something had changed that last day at the Garrison. Lance had known something was going to happen that day. He had prepared, he had brought the stuff we couldn't live without or would regret not having.

Preservable earth food. All our favorite snacks. Clothing, so we wouldn't have to wear the same things every day. Hunk's favorite cookbook, my half-built space communicator. Hunk's anxiety meds, my secret family photo. Me, Mom, Dad, and Matt, Visiting the launch pad before the takeoff. I had longer hair in this picture, and I was wearing a dress. My brother and I might look alike, but the height difference made it obvious who was who.

I don't know when or how Lance found out I was a girl. Am a girl, but he never asked why I hide it. He doesn't treat me any differently. Lance had always been the most preceptive of us all, but he never used that against anyone. He never forced things to go his way. He always felt like a person who didn't believe he deserved what he wanted. But then, there was Keith, even back in the Garrison Keith was a source of drive for Lance. When it came to Keith he wouldn't back down. Lance had done really well in piloting so his name could be next to Keith's. I don't think even Lance noticed that the steady falling of his grades started when Keith left the Garrison.

I wasn't surprised when Lance confessed to Keith that day. I was a little surprised that he was so persistent with Keith. But his courage gave me courage. The to admit the Princess Allura made my heartbeat in a way no one had before. The courage to face my unexplored sexuality. Back in the Garrison, I was to busy looking for clues on my family's whereabouts that I'd never thought of romance.

I 'woke' Lance up to talk about the princess. He helped me think of ways to get closer to her. Not pick up lines and compliments, like the ones he showered on Keith, but a real conversation. Suggested I talk about Earth and Altea with her. He knew I was still confused about my feelings. He was giving me a way to confirm while not tripping over myself trying to flirt. Lance wasn't Matt, but he was my brother in the most real sense. I loved him, and I knew he loved me. He would be there for me, no matter what. And I, for him. Not that I'd ever tell him that. He was still an ass after all.