#long posted

Yes yes yes

Short but angsty

(I don't own any aspect of this song, all rights go to the proper individuals)

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Lance stared out into the never-ending space, letting Blue take control of their tract home. Home. Back to Earth. The only thing he had been thinking about since he was launched into space all those years ago. 

Hunk was rambling about seeing his family again, how old his younger siblings were, and the food he was excited to cook again. 

Pidge chimed in a lot. While she found her brother and father and knew her father was back on Earth she still missed her mom. She was excited to see her again and apologize for leaving.

Shiro talked about his fiancé, a guy named Adam. Unless Pidge’s father told everyone what happened he still thought Shiro was dead; he couldn't wait to see him again. His name was a bit familiar, Lance had seen him around the garrison.  

Keith even talked about what he was looking forward to when they reached Earth. Apparently, he wanted to see a couple of bands in concert and build a new hoverbike. 

Coran and Allura expressed their own excitement. After hearing about Earth for the past couple of they were impatiently waiting to see it for themselves. 

“What about you Lance? What are you excited about?” 

Lance fought back a frown as he thought about his family. “I’m excited to see the ocean again.” He laced his voice with fake happiness. Something he had mastered years ago. 

Everyone was clearly waiting for him to say more, but he never did. 

---

“Welcome home,” Iverson stood in front of them, a smile sitting awkwardly on his gruff face. 

After some small conversations, Iverson pulled Lance to the side, his face holding a somber expression. “Your family...they well.” He avoided Lance’s gaze, watching the others hug their family and loved ones. 

Lance nodded, feeling a bit empty inside as he watched his team. “It’s okay.” 

---

That was a couple of months ago, the Galran were officially beaten and Lance and the others were in their retirement stage already. Lance had followed his team to their homes, met their family, and tried his best to fall into his new life.

"Lance!"

He looked up from the book he was reading, his entire team standing in front of him. "Yeah?"

Shiro sent him a warm smile, "it's time for you to take us somewhere important to you."

Lance blinked at his team, why were they asking him to do this? "Uhhh...why?"

"We've dragged you around the whole world, we want to return the favor. Learn more about our favorite purple paladin." Pidge said a wide smile on her face at her own color joke.

Lance stared down at the book in his hands, "I have nowhere to take you all." He ran his fingers over the hardcover, letting his fingers trace the indent of the title. "Nowhere important like what you all have shared with me."

"Come on buddy. You said you wanted to see the ocean. Let's all go to your favorite beach." Hunk sat down next to his friend, pulling him in for a side hug.

"If I had one, I'd tell you. But seriously guys. I'm happy here, we don't need to go anywhere for me."

The team frowned at him, leaving the room in silence.

The team didn't give up, they brainstormed together, trying to figure out where they could take Lance. He hadn't seen his family since they came back to Earth, he didn't even mention them at all. He became quiet when they came back, more reserved than what they were used to in space.

Coran finally remembered a detail Lance had mentioned to him while they were still on Arus. Varadero Beach.

They had a plane reserved and everything packed that night.

Lance stared out the window, letting his vision blur on the white clouds. He had no idea where the team was dragging him, they wouldn't say no matter how many times he asked.

The plane finally began its descent and Lance felt his heart drop as he looked at the familiar ground below. Ground he never was supposed to see again.

The plane landed sooner after, the team chattering happily as they collected their things to exit.

Lance stared down at his hands, why was he here?

"Lance? Are you coming with us? The beach is waiting!" Coran called from where he stood, a bit too much sunscreen on his face and a hat already on his head.

He shook his head no.

"What do you mean no?" He could feel the team's eyes on him and he wished he stayed in bed.

"I can't...I want to go back to the Garrison. Or just somewhere else."

The team made a collective sound of confusion. Shiro quickly fell back into his leadership role and sat down in the seat across from Lance.

"Lance, we're in Cuba. This is your home. We're right next to Varadero beach...don't you want to go."

Lance shook his head again, keeping his eyes trained on his hands. "I can't."

"But you're home," Pidge said in a confused voice.

Lance shrugged.

"Can you explain? Tell us what's going on." Shiro said his voice light.

"Yeah, let us help you!" Hunk added.

Lance sighed, "y'know," he lifted his head slightly. "I can go anywhere I want." He allowed his eyes to look at his home one more time. For the last time before he reached up and closed the blind to his window.

He felt himself break slightly, trying to swallow down the emotions that he had kept buried for years. Emotions he had meticulously locked up. "Anywhere I want, just not home."

-----

I left what happened to his family open so you could decide the "issue" (did they banish him? Are they dead?)

I hope you don't mind how short this is, but I didn't want to drag it on

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