Lance McClain was a boy with a lot of promise. At only eight years old he was sent into space. He was going to be the first child ever to leave earth.

However, things didn't go as planned. He was sent with two other astronauts, Dr. Shada, and Mr. Yuen. They couldn't do anything when a Large alien warship abducted them.

On Earth, no one knew what truly happened but claimed it was because of an error made by the pilots.

Lances family and friends mourned his loss. They believed he was dead and never expected to see him again.

Nine years had passed. The mission was still remembered as a tragedy. Hunk, once a friend of Lance, snuck through the hallway quietly as Pidge followed close behind. Pidge, while she wasn't close friends with Lance knew him and they were in the same class. "We're going to get in trouble." Hunk whispered.

"I'm picking up on readings like never before. Something is going to happen tonight, I know it." She pushed past and continued until they made it to the roof.

"What's that?" Hunk pointed up at the sky. Pidge was setting up her equipment and looked up into the sky. Her eyes narrowed and she snatched her binoculars.

"I think it's a ship." She said handing them to Hunk.

Hunk gazed at the large metal pod rocketing to earth. "We should leave. If we're caught-"

"Hunk look!" She exclaimed. The pod crashed to the ground and dust blew their hair back. The crash site was about 70 meters away but they could see as a boy with white hair climb out.

Scientists wearing hazmat suits came out holding weapons and tranquilizing guns. The boy seemed to be trying to warn them of something but they didn't listen and shot him with a tranquilizer.

He was taken away and the two teens stood in disbelief. "We have to do something." Pidge turned to her friend determined.

"How do we even get in?" Hunk looked down at the base.

"We need some type of distra-" Pidge began but a loud explosion sounded and caught them off guard.

Scientists and military soldiers ran out looking for the source.

"Let's go, their distracted." Pidge took off Hunk following close behind.

"Look!" Hunk pointed to two other people running at the base. However, they recognized them quickly.

"It's Keith and Mr. Takashi!" Pidge yelled smiling.

Keith was a classmate or former classmate to be more accurate. He was top of the class until he was kicked out. Mr. Takashi was a well-known pilot and teacher. Everyone knew he took Keith in and became a brother to him.

Hunk and Pidge followed close behind Keith and Mr. Takashi. "Kids, what are you doing here? This is dangerous." Takashi slowed to run next to them.

"We saw the crash, someone was on that ship and they took him," Pidge responded. They watched as Keith fought a doctor who was standing next to the drugged boy. He had IV bags connected to his arm and a mask over his mouth. Hunks breathing slowed and tears appeared in the corners of his eyes. Despite nine years passing and the white hair, Hunk could recognize him.

"Lance?" He spoke softly.

The others all quickly looked at the boy upon hearing the name. "Let's get him out of here," Keith said pulling the mask off of Lance's face and pulling out the needles from his arm.

Lances eyes opened a sliver and he slowly pushed himself up gripping his head. Suddenly he shot up and looked at the people in front of him with urgency. "The-the Galra, they're coming! You have to believe me." He spoke roughly.

"We believe you. We just need to get you somewhere safe." Mr. Takashi assured.

Tears pricked the corners Lances eyes but he stood up and wiped them on his sleeve carelessly. He wore a ragged and torn blue jacket and a white stretched shirt that hung loosely on him exposing his collar bones. The boy was thin, but clearly had muscles from years of living in the hands of the Galra.

They all took off back in the direction they came. A scientist came into view prepared to fight. Keith put his hands up ready to strike but didn't get the chance as Lance pushed his way through and had already taken the man down in the blink of an eye.

Keith stood with astonishment for a moment as the others ran past him. He was pulled out of his shock when Pidge ran by him with a smirk, "Snap out of it lover boy." She teased. He narrowed his eyes and ran after them.

They all loaded onto Shiro's pod and he roared the engine. It hovered just above the ground but was weighed down at all the bodies.

Shiro sped the pod up as quick as it could go but soldiers drove jeeps hot on their tails. "We need more speed." Lance hovered over Mr. Takashi's shoulder.

"We could toss out some nonessential weight," Keith commented.

"Keith, be nice," Takashi warned.

"Keith? I know you." Lance looked at him almost horrified, his white hair blowing in the wind.

Keith stared at him astonished the boy even remembered him.

"Lance, it's me, Hunk." Hunk smiled.

"Hunk? Is that really you?" Lance smiled widely back.

"I'm Pidge, remember me? You might remember me as Katie." She tested.

"Yeah! And you're Mr. Takashi!" Lance looked him thrilled. "How's my family?" He asked immediately.

"They're okay, but Lance, they think you're dead." Hunk said softly.

Lance was silent and he looked at the road ahead. "Why would they think that?"

"The garrison told everyone that the ship malfunctioned because of the pilots and that everyone on board was dead," Takashi explained.

"Well no offense Mr. Takashi, but the Garrison are liars," Lance said sternly.

"Let's talk about this later, we need to lose these guys." Takashi pressed the gas as hard as he could.

"The cliff." Lance pointed.

"Are you crazy?" Hunk yelped.

"No, he's a genius." Keith nodded to Takashi.

They all screamed as they flew off the edge of the cliff pulling up just before hitting the ground.

Calm settled through them and they headed to the shack where Keith, Shiro, and Adam lived. The jeeps stopped at the top of the cliff unable to follow.

"Are we alive?" Hunk asked weakly slightly traumatized. The pod slowed to a halt in front of the shack.

They all hopped off and Lance embraced Hunk in a tight hug. Following after with Pidge. He turned to Keith awkwardly. "It's great to be back."

"Back from where exactly?" Keith asked.

"Well, space. I can't give you a clearer answer than that. I was dragged all over the universe." Lance answered gazing up at the sky.

Adam walked out and looked at the group in disbelief. "Shiro, what is going on?"

"We'll explain, first, everyone inside," Shiro ordered ensuring they're safe first.

Lance briefly explained what happened to him on the mission. Some things were fuzzy as it had happened so long ago but he remembered key moments.

"Lance, we're so sorry. We wish that never happened to you. You were so young." Shiro sympathized.

"No, no, no. There is no reason to be sorry. I spent the first two years thinking nothing but 'why me?' then I realized that if it wasn't me, it would've just been some other eight-year-old kid." Lance smiled a half smile.

"What about the others?" Keith asked.

"I don't really know. I heard they escaped at some point. If that's the case, they're probably long gone by now; vacationing on planet Sorea." Lance talked happily about their fortunate turnout.

"How did you escape?" Pidge asked.

The smile faded from Lance's face and he looked down at his hands. "I-I don't remember." He turned away.

"Sorry," Pidge spoke quietly.

"No! It's fine! It's just, some things are difficult for me to remember. Don't feel bad for asking questions, I should be sorry I can't answer." Lance smiled warmly.

"Did you really stay in a cell for nine years?" Hunk asked.

Lances face grew hard. "No." He shifted. "When I was 16 I was thrown into the pits. The pits are where you fight other prisoners for entertainment. After doing well in the pits, I was eventually trusted enough to be made a labor worker. I'd help build structures and ships for the Galra. Then I was made a soldier. That lasted about seven months before I made my escape."

They stared at him in astonishment.

"I worked my way up the ranks, a move that worked out well." Lance took in a deep breath.

Adam grabbed Shiro's hand. The thought that he was supposed to have gone on that mission made his heart sink, that could have been him.

"The Galra needs to be stopped. I heard about a weapon called Voltron. It's supposedly the only thing that can stop Zarcon. I heard it's here on Earth." Lance sat on the edge of his seat as he spoke about the super-weapon.

"Voltron, I've been picking up on a feed from space. It keeps saying that." Pidge held out a paper showing the frequencies.

"Let me see that." Pidge handed Keith the paper. He held it up to a picture of the desert. The mountains were a match to the spikes in the activity waves.

"I have an idea." Hunk smiled.

———————
They wandered through the sandy desert as Hunk held up a small device he made to read the waves and locate where this 'Voltron' was.

Lance looked to Keith as they were walking. The boy had really grown. Puberty had done him good. Lance blushed as he turned away.

Keith glanced in Lances direction. The boy had been through so much, yet he kept an element of joy and happiness in everything he said and did. Keith couldn't help but stare at the beauty of the boy. White hair, tanned skin, blue eyes, and his dusted pink cheeks. he caught sight of a small glare from the son on the boy's hand and he looked down only for him to pull his sleeve down covering it.

"It's rude to stare." Lance gave a cocky smile.

"I wasn't staring." Keith denied.

"I'm sorry, is there another word for looking at someone for a long period of time?" Lance asked smugly.

"I was looking at the desert," Keith said it sounding more like a suggestion.

"And that sounded convincing," Lance spoke sarcastically.

"What's in your hand?" Keith asked curiously.

"I don't have anything in my hand." Lance laughed as he continued on.

"I saw the glare, I wasn't born yesterday." Keith stopped him gripping the boy's arm but quickly pulled his hand away feeling something solid under his jacket.

(I totally didn't forget about the arm and am just now including it)

Lances smug look faded. "Keep quiet." He looked ahead at the others before lifting up his sleeve to reveal a metal prosthetic arm before quickly covering it back up again.

Keith's eyes went wide and he looked up at Lance in confusion.

Lance put a finger to his lips giving the boy a wink. He continued walking and Keith quickly caught up.

"What happened? Why didn't you tell us before?" Keith questioned.

"Things were serious in the pits, I broke my arm bad. Even if it was to heal on its own, it would never be the same. The Galra saw that and me being one of their best fighters decided to replace it." Lance didn't look at Keith when he spoke. "I just don't want anyone's pity."

Keith bit his cheek for a moment before grabbing Lances metallic hand in his. "It doesn't change anything, you're still Lance, and this is still your arm."

"Keith, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that's an excuse to hold my hand," Lance smirked happily.

"And you ruined the moment." Keith pulled his hand away rolling his eyes.

"Aw, c'mon Keithy, do it again. I won't say anything this time." Lance whined.

"Nope. And don't call me Keithy." He continued walking.

"Didn't you miss me at all?" Lance begged.

Keith just huffed rolling his eyes and looking away.

"I missed you," Lance said suggestively causing Keith's stomach to flop.

Keith cleared his throat and with all the dignity he could muster, muttered the words, "I missed you too."

"Found it!" Hunk yelled excitedly pointing to a cave. "The readings are going crazy!"

"Hurry up gays!" Pidge yelled back to Lance and Keith. "I mean guys." She corrected cutting an evil look their way.

They ran into the cave with the others. It was nearly pitch black, only the light from Hunks homemade device illuminating. Keith walked cautiously, eyes narrowed as he looked around. "You can hold my hand if your scared Keithy." Lance teased.

"Please, I'm not scared. If anything, you're the one who looks scared." Keith smiled.

"What? Me? scared of some rocks?" Lance said proudly. Then, as if it was planned, Lance tripped on a small rock and flew forward only to be caught by Keith. Their faces were close and Lance's pure white hair tickled at Keith's face. Both wore shocked expressions yet neither moved.

Light shined on them to see Hunk holding it up curiously. "Are you guys okay?" He saw the situation and broke into laughter along with the others. The two boys pulled away quickly with red faces.

Adam grabbed onto Shiro's arm and they both gave each other knowing smiles. Keith was never one to act anything like this making it obvious he liked Lance.

After a minute or two of walking, they came upon three different paths to take. "How about this, Hunk and Lance go through the first one, Pidge and Keith the second, and Adam and I will take the third." Shiro suggested. He honestly didn't want his baby brother to grow up so he deliberately set it up that way.

"One adjustment?" Lance asked curiously.

"Yes, Lance?" Shiro listened.

"Can me and Keith be a team? Hunk and Pidge work better together anyway." Lance suggested not being subtle whatsoever.

Adam lightly poked Shiro's side. "Yeah, that works too." He gave in.

Lance smiled happily pulling Keith into the second path while Shiro watched in despair. Pidge and Hunk laughed at the situation as they went through the first path.

"C'mon hon, he's 17, let him have a crush." Adam hugged his husband from behind resting his chin on his shoulder.

"I know." Shiro let it go and leaned back into him.

"Besides, he's too awkward for that anyway. We'll end up on the other side and nothing will have changed. They'll both still be oblivious to each other's feelings." Adam laughed kissing Shiro's head. They went down the third path.

Lance cut a small look to the boy walking next to him before staring at every other spot possible. He extended his fingers letting them brush Keith's hand making his brush back. They locked their fingers together as they pretended nothing was happening.

"Lance, you-you have... nice eyes?" Keith attempted blushing madly.

"Heh, Keith, that sounded more like a question." Lance looked at him nervously.

"I'm trying." Keith glared.

"Trying to what?" Lance smiled getting closer facing him and they stopped walking.

Keith was silent but stood his ground. "Are you trying to flirt?" Lance asked smugly.

"What if I am?" Keith fired back.

"Then I..." Lance looked down to Keith's lips then back up to his eyes. They kissed and Lances hands ran up to his jawline and neck. Keith felt Lances cold metallic hand and got goosebumps. Keith placed his hands on Lances back and waist.

"Wow." Lance muttered when they parted. Then the ground broke from underneath them and they fell down into another level of the cave. Towering above them was a blue lion with a large shield surrounding it. The others came running out of different entrances all freezing seeing the large robot.

"What is it?" Pidge asked.

"Its the blue lion. Just one part of Voltron." Lance smiled.