Begining
@klance-microfics-2026 word count: 675
βCome on Lance, you just have to start! Thatβs the hardest part.β Shiro coached him patiently, but Lance was almost out of patience himself at this point.Β
βPretty sure the hardest part is holding my entire dead weight in the air for several minutes.βΒ
Pidge snorted and Hunk winced, recognizing Lanceβs βI'm tired of this shitβ tone of voice. It was just so frustrating; it was a stupid pull up! He had done so much physical training since they had first formed Voltron, three weeks ago he could do a dozen of these and barely break a sweat. Now all because of some poorly choreographed collision with a Galran sentry his shoulder had forgotten how to function, and he was right back at the beginning. He could barely do one without collapsing back on the mat.
βDonβt push yourself too hard yet, Allura said it would take a while for your shoulder to gain its strength back, even after the desolation was healed." Shrio reminded him and Lance resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He definitely remembered the advice Allura had given him about his shoulder, but Shiro was just trying to help. βJust try to get your chin above the bar and then come back down, slow and controlled. Focus on your form, not the duration. You can do this!βΒ
Lance took a deep breath and reached above himself again, grabbing the bar with a small jump and pulling himself up. His left arm was so much stronger than his right, which threw him off balance, and he hardly got his nose above the bar before he was sinking back down.Β
βI really donβt think I can.β He huffed. Shiro studied him while he breathed for a second, no doubt trying to figure out how to inspire Lance into doing a pullup, which left just enough silence for him to hear Keith scoff.
βGot something to say, Mullet?β Lance asked, temper short and embarrassed by his obvious failure. Keith hesitated, but did finally speak from his spot at the punching bags across the training floor.
βYouβre over thinking it.β Lance glared at him.
βYou canβt over think a pull up, Keith, no thinking required.β Keith crossed his sweaty arms and rolled his eyes in his signature way.
βExaclty. Stop thinking about it and do it.β Lance swallowed, recognized the dare for what it was and immediately reached for the bar. Grabbing it with one hand he hesitated, looking at Shiro who was watching with a flat expression. Lance wasnβt sure if he actually believed in him, or if he was just saying what he thought he was supposed to. A pull up was such a simple thing, if Lance couldnβt do one, what would that mean for his place on the team? What if the next mission required him to pull himself out of some hole? Would the team help him, would they even bother?
βStop thinking and do it, McClain!β Keithβs voice cut through the spiral of his thoughts and no way would he embarrass himself in front of Keith like this, he would not back down from him. Immediately Lance pulled with both arms, his shoulder starting to remember what it was supposed to do; nose then chin above the bar until he was smirking at Keith over it.Β
βHa! Take that, mullet!β He called, and Keith rolled his eyes, muttering something Lance couldnβt hear. Steadily he lowered himself back down to his feet and Shiro clapped him on the shoulder. Pidge grinned and shoved him out of the way for her turn at the bar, and Hunk raised his hand for a high five.
βNice going buddy!β He said encouragingly and Lance slapped his hand against his, βGood to know if youβre ever lacking motivation we just need to sick Keith on you.β He was teasing, but Lance felt himself blush a little looking past Hunk to where Keith and resumed his boxing. Keithβs words had definitely gotten to him this time, but that was just a coincidence, right?Β
Right?
