I guess this is like if Lance didn't talk to Keith? So yeah...

Lance sat down in his desk chair taking a deep breath. He rubbed his eyes and leaned forward holding his head in his hands. He couldn't believe he was going to do this.

Shiro is back and that means either someone has to give up being a paladin or Shiro doesn't rejoin the team. Something's gotta give.

He picked up the pen and began to write in neat penmanship.

When he finished, he ripped the page from the notebook and set it out where it would be noticed. He grabbed a bag and filled it with some essentials and clothes.

He walked out quietly into the hallway. He rubbed at his eyes that were puffy from tears. It was dark and he feared he'd make to much noise and ruin it all.

"Lance? What are you doing up?" It was dark but Lance quickly recognized who it was.

"I... I was just going to look at the stars. I'm having trouble sleeping." He spoke quietly.

"What's with the bag?" Keith questioned.

"Planned on making a small bed." Lance felt sick at how smooth the lie flowed. It only got worse when the thought that this is the last time he'll see Keith, crossed his mind.

"Oh," Keith went quiet. He gasped when a pair of long arms wrapped around him tightly. Lance held fistfuls of the back of his shirt as if Keith would disappear any moment. But it was over as soon as it started.

"Goodnight," Lance walked past.

"Oh, um, yeah... goodnight Lance." Keith said watching him. He could have sworn Lance was crying.

He walked back to his room unable to shake the event from his head. Lance, on the other hand, was quietly pecking at the controls of one of the escape pods. The door sealed, and with a final deep breath, Lance pressed the launch button.

In the castle, a quiet noise rung through the halls. It woke Shiro and caught the attention of Keith. "Paladins!" Shiro had yelled running through the hall pulling on his armor.

"What was that?" Pidge asked putting on her glasses tiredly.

"Everyone, split up and search the castle for intruders. Be cautious." He ordered.

Armed and ready, the paladins charged the castle. "Hey, one of the pods is missing. Is it possible it could have launched by itself? It would explain the noise. I wouldn't imagine someone would break into the castle to escape in a pod." Pidge spoke groggily.

"That isn't plausible. It must be activated by someone." Allura chimed.

"Has anyone heard from Lance?" Keith asked.

"Yeah, I haven't seen him." Hunk added.

"Oh no." Keith immediately bolted down the hall. "Search for Lance. I saw him just a few minutes ago; before the pod launched. He had a bag."

Lance was no where to be found. They all stood in front of his room. Sliding the door open, they charged in.

A few things were missing and a note laid out for them to see. Keith snatched it up and his eyes flicked across the page. "Shit." He dropped the paper and ran out of the room to try to track the pod.

Shiro picked it up and read it aloud.

Hey guys,

I hope you aren't mad. I feel terrible about the situation, but it's for the best. There aren't enough lions to go around, and lets face it, no one is more fit to pilot the lions than you guys.

You're all like family to me, and I'll miss being around you. Still, the time came for me to go a separate way. Families have to separate, but it doesn't change that they're family.

I hope you're not angry, but I think it's for the best.

-The Tailor

They did everything they could to track the pod but it was unsuccessful. They couldn't find out where he'd gone only where he hadn't. They were surprised to find he hadn't gone to earth. Rather, a week later, they found he'd gone to a planet called Fewqure. It was a busy place with ships coming and going. There was shady dealers and businesses everywhere.

By the time they had gotten there, Lance was gone without much of a trace. He had stayed the night in a motel and he seemed to have disappeared.

~FOUR YEARS LATER~

"Paladins, this planet is home to a fierce Galran general. If we can take him down, Zarkon will be down an important leader. He won't be able to ignore the fall of one of his greatest men." Shiro talked as Allura pulled up a holographic map of the planet.

It wasn't long before they found themselves storming the general's castle. They passed the droids with ease, now they were at the boss level.

Shiro took a blow to the gut. It was another case of the general having the latest model in robotic arms. They were losing.

Shiro was going to call for them to retreat but was interrupted.

A taller man wearing a long coat with many weapons strapped to his back, hips, chest, and thighs, stepped in silently. A bandana was pulled over his nose and mouth. He wore a blue vest and underneath that, a white button up shirt. His brown hair was short on the sides but long and curly on top. A tiny scar drew across his brow bone cutting through the thin line of eyebrow.

He reached back pulling out a gun. The general seemed to narrow his gaze at the man.

No words were exchanged between them. The general was the first to fire; a hot purple laser blasting from his arm. The man dodged it with ease. He twirled around and returned the gesture with four rapid shots. One hit the generals shoulder pad, one his arm, and the other two were dodged.

The general fired and rushed forward slicing with his arm. The man rushed firing his own and pulling out a sword meeting with the robotic hand. It burned through the mans sword within a few moments and he swiftly dealt a blow to the Galran.

The mystery man blocked a punch with both arms and the general took advantage throwing another punch hitting his gut. The man seemed more pained by his blow. He was sent back but smoothly slid across the floor on his knees. He pulled out a hand gun and fired rapidly.

The general took each shot still barreling forward. The man rolled away last minute barely making it away from the Galran's merciless tackle. The alien fell to the floor with a hard thud leaving the mystery man triumphant.

He took deep breaths standing up and picking up his guns but ditching the now ruined sword. He swung them back into their holsters.

"Who are you?" Shiro demanded.

The man looked at them quickly before turning away to leave.

"If you don't cooperate, we'll be forced to believe you're an enemy." Shiro drew back to fight.

The man seemed to pause at this. He turned back around. His blue eyes flicked across each of the paladins. Shiro, Hunk, Pidge, Allura..., Keith.

He pulled the bandana down. His tan skin flawless beside a few small scars. His thin but prominent lips. They stared at the man. A face they used to know well.

"Lance..." gasped Allura.

"Thought you didn't recognize me for a moment there." He smiled.

He was immediately pulled into a hug by his old teammates. All except Keith, who still stared with wide eyes.

Lance chuckled awkwardly. "Okay...?" He looked uncomfortable at the affection. "You're huggers."

"God Lance, where have you been?" Pidge asked when they let him go.

"That... is a very long story." Lance rubbed his neck.

"A story I, for one, definitely want to hear." Hunk smiled at his friend.

"I think we're long overdue for a catch up." Shiro said warmly.

Lance contemplated it. "Okay." He turned to the exit. "Um, I suppose you could come on my ship."

"You have a ship?!" Pidge exclaimed.

"Did you think I took an escape pod here?" Lance joked. As soon as he said it, he worried it had crossed a line. He received a few chuckles making him feel relieved.

He led them to his ship. It was colored red and white. It was flatter and more spherical, but still fairly large. Lance let them inside.

It was fairly spacious with gadgets and wires everywhere. Many mysterious items were taken apart with scattered tools laying about. The moment Lance walked in, he pulled off his coat leaving him in just his vest and white button up shirt. Many leather straps ran along his chest. A leather shoulder piece traced down his bicep with holster carrying a knife. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows showing his defined yet still thin arms. His hands were tough and calloused. His tan jeans had a belt with holster that was kept in place with another leather strap around his thigh; it held a gun securely. The parts of his arms you could see, had sparse scars tattering his skin. A tattoo was visible on his left arm, covering his inner forearm.

(Like dis. There's no way to explain it.)

Lance pulled the bandana from his neck and began to undo the straps. "Always feels good to finally take this shit off. Uncomfortable carrying it all around."

He pulled off a few tools and the leather shoulder guard. "Is this ship running on a crystal or mechanics?" Pidge asked.

"Mechanics, but the fact she runs is magic enough." Lance smirked.

"Ooh! Is it a 24 gauge Zatherean engine or a 34?" Pidge was excited now.

"Don't bombard him with questions. He probably has no ide-" Shiro started.

"Neither. Managed to pull together a pavariothen system and combine it with a 48 Z. gauge. I also added in a few parts from an old praviathen engine. I, personally, think they last longer." Lance answered confidently. "I can always show you my blueprints if you're interested."

Pidge lit up. "Wow, where did you learn all that?" Allura asked smiling.

"That's part of a long story." Lance answered digging through a few boxes of junk. He pulled out a small picture handing it to them. "These guys taught me almost everything I know."

They studied the photo carefully. In it, Lance was smiling wide, covered in grease and wearing a white shirt with rolled up sleeves. He was sitting on a small flat metal piece with wheels to roll under vehicles and ships: a mechanics creeper. An older man, thin, with a beard, had a hand on his shoulder. A few younger boys about Lances age were standing around as well, holding tools. The photo must have been taken not long after Lance first ran away.

"After I ran away, I escaped to a busy planet. It was filled with crooks, scammers, small businesses, and engineers. I didn't really have any money when I left so I began looking for a job. This shady guy offered me a good position, that's when Baan found me." Lance pointed to the older man who's hand was on his shoulder in the photo. "Baan told the creep off and explained that guy was just planning to sell me to the pits."

"The pits?" Keith raised an eyebrow.

"They throw people in a pit and make them fight each other until their opponent can't move or is dead. People bet and make a sport of it." Lance explained.

"That's terrible." Allura spoke in a quiet tone.

"They got busted a couple years back. Now what's left is small and they're constantly on the run." Lance took a seat inviting them to as well.

They sat and looked at him expecting to hear more.

"Baan took me to his home. It was an old garage where he ran his business of fixing anything and everything with gears." Lance pointed to the photo again. "Those are his sons; Aleal and Tareo.

They let me stay. He asked why I'd been talking to the crook in the first place. When I told him, he said he was in need of an extra set of hands in the shop and in return he'd give me a place to stay and food." Lance reminisced. "About a week or so later, I heard you guys had tracked me to the planet. I avoided you and of course my tracks led to a dead end."

"Why didn't you see us?" Shiro asked.

"Because," Lance sighed, "I wasn't going back to voltron. Or the castle. I felt like... I was doing something right for once. I was helping people. You help the universe being a paladin, but I was doing the same in my own way."

They remained silent for a moment.

"My time with Baan was great, but short lived. After about a year, I got this beauty," he gestured to the ship, "I started flying places, exploring, learning, and well... stealing. I always used the stuff for good, but it was still wrong. I was eventually caught over half a year later. The Zelengos arrested me, and when they found out my intentions they actually hired me. They said I was a good addition and that they'd pay me to get artifacts for them. I did that for some time and not long ago, I left them. Then I started adventuring again and helping people under a new group. That's how I ran into you guys."

"You've been busy." Shiro spoke with a sort of half smile.

"Well, I'm no paladin of voltron, I'm sure you guys have been doing a ton over the years." Lance smiled.

"You don't seem to stick around with things too long." Keith observed.

Lances smile fell and he looked down at the picture in his hands. "I always had reasons to leave. I didn't ignore the signs when they told me it was time to do so." He looked up at his old team again. "I don't regret leaving voltron. No one is more fit to pilot the lions than you guys. I had my calling elsewhere."

"We spent months looking for you." Keith mumbled, anger rising in his voice.

Lances eyes flicked to him; they were glossy. "I'm sorry I wasted your time, but admit it, the team was better without me."

"That isn't true." Shiro assured.

Lance looked to him now. "Yes it is. I appreciate the modesty, but I'm not three. I helped the universe in my own unique way and reached my potential. You guys reached your own, you couldn't have done that with me flying red."

"Is that what you told yourself to feel better about leaving? Well, breaking news, we spent a lot more time worrying about you than trying to 'reach our potential'." Keith snapped.

Lances jaw set. "What would've happened if I stayed Keith? If I even tried to talk to you all about it, you wouldn't have even let me leave. I would've been occupying a spot in voltron that I had no right to." He rubbed his eyes. "Do you think I didn't give a shit or something? I spent months feeling guilty over it. I was constantly anxious that something bad would happen to one of you and I wouldn't know about it."

"Then why didn't you come back? Why didn't you at least visit? Or check in?" Keith was angry now, his hands balled in fists.

"Because..., if I did..." Lances eyes squeezed shut. "If I did..., I don't think I would have the heart to leave again."

Keith softened a little hearing his words. A sudden wave of guilt rushed through his stomach when Lance opened his eyes and there were tears pooling at the bottoms, threatening to fall. He'd spent so much time being angry over Lance taking off, part of him didn't even consider it hurt him too. "I'm..., I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Lance chuckled blinking his eyes quickly, clearing them of the salty tears, "I feel like such an idiot. I haven't seen you all in years and now you have to deal with me getting all emotional."

It was quiet among the group for a moment. "Why don't you join us for dinner Lance?" Allura asked. "We'd love to catch up more."

"Thank you. I'd like that." He breathed like something heavy was pushing down on his chest. He wasn't teary eyed anymore but his face was solemn.

They led Lance to the castle and showed him around. It was no different from when he left, but the familiar setting was comforting. Lance laughed seeing his old room, posters of earth still hung up, and lion slippers next to the bed.

When they sat down for dinner, it was silent and awkward. Coran brought out a plate of food goo and Lance smiled widely. "Oh gosh, remember our food fight when Allura was trying to get us to bond?"

Just like that, the table began buzzing with conversation and they exchanged stories excitedly.

"Remember when Lance got chained to that tree?" Hunk giggled.

"No, lets not mention that." Lance looked embarrassed.

"Gosh, you were only flirting with her to get Keith's attention." Hunk rolled his eyes laughing.

Keith's eyes widened and his head snapped in the direction of Lance. "You what?"

"Oh come on, don't act like you didn't know." Lance chuckled taking a bite of his food goo. But by the look on Keith face, Lance nearly choked. "You seriously never realized? Keith, I was practically obsessed with you. I was like a lovesick teenage boy whenever I was around you."

"Then what was up with the whole 'rivalry' thing?" Keith was genuinely shocked at the new information.

"Psh, it's playing hard to get. Like when kids push each other down in the sandbox, it translates to 'I like you'." Lance explained nonchalantly.

"Hey, you have no room to talk. You never realized Keith had a huge crush on you either." Pidge pointed her fork at Lance.

Lance cut a quick look to Keith. "You what?"

"What? Should I have pushed you down in a sandbox?" Keith raised an eyebrow.

"Preferably yes." Lance shrugged with a smile.

Allura took the very brief moment of silence to ask a question everyone was dying to know. "Lance," her eyes turned soft, "do you plan to leave again?"

Lances heart fell to his feet. He saw the faces of his former teammates and glanced down at the table. "I..." he cleared his throat.

"Lance, it's okay whatever you choose. We're here to support you this time." Shiro smiled.

"I'm needed elsewhere. I can't do anything for the universe here, and I think you all understood I will have to leave when I got here." Lance rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't have much of a reason to stay."

They nodded but it was quiet around the table.

"That isn't to say that I can't visit." Lance said hopefully.

"Yes, much like you did before." Allura spoke, her voice having a sharp edge to it that caused a horrible feeling to pool in Lances stomach.

Lance opened his mouth to say something, to argue, give an explanation as to why he never visited at the least, but nothing came out.

They all finished eating and took their dishes to the kitchen. Lance sped up to walk next to Keith. "So? Miss me at all?"

Keith became incredibly conscious of how Lance smiled at him. And the way that his white sleeves were rolled up showing his smooth forearms with sparse scars and a colorful tattoo visible. The way his blue vest hugged him in all the right places. The way the jeans fit his long legs.

"Keith?"

"Oh, um, what?" Keith blinked.

"Someone's distracted," Lance chuckled.

"What's with the tattoo?" Keith asked nonchalantly.

Lance extended his arm so it was more visible. "You like? It has the colors of voltron." He scraped his plate, "I have another one too."

Keith tried to act like he wasn't dying to know what the second one is. Or where...

"Is it a tramp stamp?" Keith joked.

"No, it says 'bite me hobbit' right on my ass cheek." Lance hip checked Keith jokingly.

"Ha. Ha. So what is it?" Keith raised a brow.

"Ooh? Another tattoo?" Hunk smiled wiggling his brows.

This attracted a bit of attention from the paladins. Lance chuckled as he rinsed his plate. He was about to speak when a beep rang from his pocket. "Excuse me." He spoke seriously.

He stepped out of the room and returned a moment later. The paladins had finished cleaning up and Lance smiled when he saw them. "Sorry, just a progress report."

The dark haired boy contemplated bringing the tattoo up again, but he decided against it hoping Lance would remember. He didn't want to seem too desperate or curious.

Lance did not bring it up again. They sat in the lounge and told stories from their time apart.

"Oh! That reminds me!" Lance bursted. Keith had a moment of hope that he'd remembered the forgotten topic. "How's Shay?"

Hunk smiled bashfully. "We've been dating for about three years now."

"Oh," Lance gave him a smug look, "look at you, you ladies man."

Pidge scoffed, "Says Lance McClain."

"Yeah Lance, any special someone's?" Hunk prodded.

"There were a few. Remember Baan, the man who took me in when I first left? His son Aleal and I had a bit of a romance." Lance rolled his eyes. "I left though. We was amazing, but he wasn't the one, you know? Then there was Keila, she was rebellious and fiery, just still not the one." Lance chuckled. "Nothing stuck for me. I swore off dating after prince Hans from planet Sloutherian Isles."

"You've intrigued me." Pidge narrowed her eyes.

"He was just rushing to get married before his brothers. Apparently, the first to marry gets the throne on that planet. Creepy dude he turned out to be." Lance shook his head.

Keith somehow felt his stomach lurch at the stories. Yet, he was smitten with the idea that Lance had such an unfortunate turnout with his dating life. He wished he could say he was guilty for feeling that way, but he'd be lying.

"What about you guys?" Lance asked.

Pidge, Allura, and Coran shook their heads. "My heart still belongs to Adam. Even if he's married to someone else." Shiro leaned forward on his elbows reminiscently.

Lance jumped up quickly. "Shiro! He's still waiting! A year and a half ago, I visited earth. I told everyone we were alive and okay. Shiro, Adam was balling when he found out you were okay." He chuckled.

"You saw him?" Shiro muttered, "How is he? Is he okay?"

"He's fine, but he'd be better if his fiancé came to visit. I think he's been patient enough." Lance sat back down again finally.

Shiro couldn't stop smiling.

"What about you Keith?" Lance asked leaning forward.

"What about me?" Keith looked at him questioningly.

"Any girlfriends... boyfriends?" Lance slipped the last part in slyly.

"Oh, uh, not really?" Keith looked slightly embarrassed.

"Not really?" Lance looked at him suspiciously.

"Keith had a small fling with this one guy. What was his name? I think it was like La-Lan-?"

"Lane." Keith finished.

"Ooh, was he cute?" Lance smiled deviously.

"I mean he was oka-" Keith started.

"Okay? He was a hunk! Er, he was cute." Allura rephrased looking to Hunk. "He was tall, a little lanky, but had like these pretty blue eyes, short brown hair... he was beautiful." Allura sighed.

"So basically Lance." Pidge muttered quietly. Loud enough to be heard, but quiet enough for everyone to pretend they didn't.

As the night wore on, everyone grew tired and one by one headed to their rooms. All that remained was Shiro, Allura, Keith, and Lance.

Allura let out a large yawn stretching her arms out in the process. "Lance, feel free to stay in the castle tonight. You could sleep in your old room."

"Thanks." Lance gave a smile.

"I should turn in too. What about you Keith?" Shiro stood up.

"I will in a minute, I think I'm gonna get some water first."

"Okay, goodnight." Shiro spoke tiredly as he disappeared down the hallway.

Keith stood up to go to the kitchen and Lance followed. "It's crazy, all these years, I felt so different from when I first left. Now that I'm back, it feels like nothing has changed. Like when we're talking, four years never passed."

"Really?" Keith raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Yeah, don't you feel that way?" Lance turned to look at him.

"No. When we sit around and talk like that..., all I can think of are those four years. How much has changed." Keith met his gaze.

Lance was quiet for a moment. "Are you..." he took a breath, "are you angry that I left?"

"I was." Keith admitted. "At least, I think I was at first. There were phases."

"Phases?" Lance spoke quietly.

"I would be angry at you one day, so mad that if I saw you I'd throw you into space if I ever saw you. Then the next I'd feel miserable and wonder if it was something I did. And then there'd be days in which I'd be doing everything I could to track you." Keith pondered.

Lance licked his lips nervously and pursed them. "I'm..., I'm sorry."

"Well what else did you expect to happen Lance?" Keith cut him a look, it had a hint of frustration behind it.

"I thought you'd look for about a week, a month at most, and then give up. Accept that I didn't belong and that it was for the best I left." Lance retaliated.

"Why the hell do you keep saying that? You had a place here. You were important to the team." Keith argued.

Lance scoffed. "I was the comedic relief of the team. I put on the little facade of the klutzy cargo pilot. The flirtatious teenage boy who always screwed up, but everyone could get a kick out of in the end. I just...," Lance breathed, a little calmer now, "I had a lot of issues then. I guess, I needed time alone to grow into who I wanted to be. I had to be alone to accomplish the things I wanted to. I wasn't going to show my face to you guys until I had something to show for it. Sure, it was earlier than I would've liked, but I'm proud of my accomplishments away from Voltron. I don't have money or luxurious things to show for it, but I'm happy with the way I spent my four years."

"Well I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation away from us." Keith's fists clenched as he turned to continue walking down the hall.

"Keith wait." Lance hesitated. "Gosh am I going to regret telling you this..." he sighed. "I... wanted your approval."

Keith turned around a little surprised at his claim.

Lance pinched the bridge of his nose. "As you now know, teenage me practically drooled over you." He stopped, contemplating if he should continue.

"Keep talking." Keith folded his arms.

"I didn't think you could ever like me. I thought you only saw me a a cargo pilot who couldn't do anything right. I wanted to become a better person, someone who could potentially... gain your favor..." Lance said awkwardly.

Keiths cheeks turned a bright pink and he slipped his hands into his pockets.

"So?" Lance asked nervously.

"So what?" Keith looked at him baffled.

"So, did it work?" Lance elaborated.

"Uhm... no." Keith fidgeted.

Lance nodded looking at the ground and swallowing hard.

"Lance, I liked you before you left. And... you leaving didn't change a thing." Keith took a step forward wringing his hands.

Lance's head shot up at this. "Wait you really?"

Keith made a small nod and melted when he felt a soft pair of lips press against his. More than four years the two boys waited for this.