Lance got caught, Blue is trying to calm him, and the Galras really need to work on their hospitality.

00000000000000000000000000000000

Lance is screwed. So so screwed.

I mean, sure he stumbled a few times here and there but hey! As long as everyone makes it out alive and in one piece, then he has nothing to complain. Except, maybe the bruises and superficial wounds he got but that’s just the price he has to pay for his incompetence so there’s that.

Still, he has never, in all his life, ended up in a situation where he is definitely screwed. Except that one time when he stole his mom’s money to buy that super cool toy he had been eying when he was a kid but that is a story for another time. Anyway, his current situation is something that’s worth to be at the top of his “Shit I would NOT like to be in” list. Being in a lecture from his mom comes in second in that list by the way. His mom is THAT scary.

“Shut up!” a galra guard shouted, slamming his weapon against Lance’s cell, surprising the teen. Whoops, he must’ve been rambling out loud again. He always does that whenever he’s nervous.

“Sorry, mi amor, but I can’t do that right now. Being loud is a part of my identity. And I know you like it,” Lance winked at the guard, earning another jarring noise of his cell being slammed at. “Jeez, someone missed his morning coffee,” Lance grumbled under his breath as he rubbed his ringing ears, or tried to since his hands are cuffed to the back. Rude much?

Nevertheless, Lance complied and quietly sat in a corner furthest from the bars, swallowing back a cry of pain when he accidently jostled his wounded shoulder. Lance wondered if…

“Quiznack!” he hissed when he tried to move his shoulder. Yeah, definitely broken.

Groaning, Lance adjusted his position until he was comfortable enough. Or as comfortable as anyone with a broken arm and shoulder can be.

“Blue,” he whispered, wincing at how rough his voice had sounded.

"My paladin. You are hurt." The Blue Lion replied, worry evident in her tone.

Lance sent out the feeling of comfort and love to his Lion, assuring that he is fine. Of course, there’s a downside to having a partner who can see and feel what he feels. And that downside had caused him to earn an image of an unamused Blue projected in his mind. Don’t ask him how a giant robotic lion could look unamused, he’s still trying to figure that out.

"My paladin, you are rambling again." Blue pointed out. Whoops.

“Sorry Blue. I can’t help it.” Lance chuckled. That turned out to be a bad move since it jostled his injured shoulder again and also opening up some other wounds he was sure he didn’t have earlier.

"My paladin! You are gravely injured!" Blue roared. "I will come and save you!"

“NO!” Lance gasped out. “Blue, you can’t! Don’t put down your barrier!”

"But my paladin!"

“You promised, Blue! You promised you won’t put it down no matter what! You promised!” Lance half-shouted frantically. “I don’t want Zarkon to get you! Please!”

For a few ticks, Lance could hear nothing but his heart, pounding frantically against his ribcage. He was just about to apologize to Blue when he felt her rumbling, worry and relunctance filling his chest. "Understood, my paladin." Blue rumbled in dissatisfaction.

Lance smiled at that, already imagining a pouting child like how his little brothers and sisters do when they didn’t get something they wanted. Another rumble from Blue added with slight annoyance had made Lance chuckle softly. He sent out his love and appreciation to his Lion, happy that he at least had her in this awful situation.

“I hope the others are okay,” he whispered, wondering what the rest of the team are doing. They’re probably looking for him right now. Or maybe they’re glad to finally get rid of him.

"Stop, my paladin. Your pack would think of no such thing." Blue chastised.

“Yeah, you’re right, Blue. I’m sure they’re out looking for me.” Lance smiled. “At least, if they’re not coming for me, they’re coming for you.”

"My paladin!"

“I’m sorry, Blue. I just- I- I-“ Lance lowered his head. “I can’t.” he sobbed.

He hates this.

Being captured by Galra. Being held prisoner. Having his bayard and helmet taken away. Being away from Blue. From his team. His family. Being alone. All alone. He can’t. He hates it. He hates it. He hates it so much.

A strangled sob escaped his mouth, tears sliding down his cheeks. If he could, he would have covered his face with his hands and screamed. But he can’t. He can’t. Not now. Not now.

"My paladin, I am here. I am with you. You are not alone. I love you." Blue purred, nudging at their bond and sending love and warmth to him. "My paladin. Mine." Blue growled possessively, sending a mental image of her wrapping around him.

Lance smiled through tears, sending her his own affection towards the Lion. Whispers of love and encouragement were exchanged and uttered, filling the silent cell. Slowly, Lance felt himself drooping, comforted by the fact that Blue would watch over him. With another comforting rumble from Blue, Lance finally drifted to sleep.

00000000000000000000000000000000

When Lance woke up, he was filled with worry and anxiousness from Blue.

“Blue…?”

"My paladin! You are alright!"

Lance cringed. “Blue, what-"

"You did not wake up! I tried waking you and you did not respond!" Blue roared in distress.

Lance felt bad worrying his Lion. “I’m sorry, Blue.” He apologized. “But why did-“ a glance down towards his torso was all the answer he needed. “…oh. I’m bleeding. Huh.”

"My paladin!"

“Relax, Blue! I’m not in danger of dying-” a cough ripped out from his mouth, worsening his injuries. “uh… I guess?” he gave an awkward grin.

"My paladin, as much as I love you, this is a serious situation. Your injuries must be treated or you will die!" Blue growled in frustration.

“Oh yeah, that. Huh. Yes. Injuries. Yes. Ow.” Lance moaned in pain. “Quiznack. Even Keith’s kicks didn’t hurt this much.” he groaned.

The sound of his cell being opened made his blood run cold. When a hand dug itself into his arm, Lance had to bit back a yelp as he was hoisted up to his feet. “Quiznack! You guys really don’t know what ‘gentle’ means.” Lance huffed.

When he was met with no response, Lance huffed again. “Yeah, silent treatment. Working great.” Lance rolled his eyes.

As they walked through the corridor, Lance felt his body getting heavier and heavier, finding it harder and harder for him to walk properly. In the end, he was half-dragged-half-carried by the guard, the blood from his wound leaving a trail behind.

"My paladin, can you hear me?" Blue asked, nudging at their bond.

'Blue...'

"My paladin. Please hold on. Your pack is coming."

'My... pack...?'

"Yes, your family. Your space family," Blue purred.

'They... are...?' Lance could hardly believe it. His team is coming. His team is coming!

"Yes, my paladin. They are coming for you."

Lance felt like crying. Oh, wait. He’s already crying. Although, he’s not sure whether it’s from pain or from feeling touched. Yeah, he’s going with both.

'Blue... my team is here. My family... my space family...'

"Yes, my paladin. They are here."

With a wide smile, Lance sent Blue his appreciation and love before he closed his eyes and heaved a relieved sigh. He could faintly hear Blue saying something but he was too tired to listen properly. “Finally,” he murmured. “I’m not alone anymore.”and he slowly let himself drown into the darkness that promised no pain with a smile.