A bright light flashed. Lance's eyes blinked rapidly. His eyes adjusted. The familiar scent of Elmer's glue and erasures hit him. He stared out of an open window of his class. The window pane chipped white paint. A warm breeze caressed his face. The smell of fresh, cheesy pizza wafted through the room. Lance considered leaving his class to grab some.

His fingers lazily played with the hearing aids in his hands that he received a few years ago. Sometimes it felt a little too overwhelming wearing them. Lance placed his hearing aids on his desk.

The floor moved and Lance looked towards the front. The teacher, a middle-aged man with a pot belly and deep frown lines, glared at Lance. His mouth moved. Lance propped up his head with his hands. His eyes heavy.

Something shifted his desk. Lance's heart rate jumped so quickly his chest ached. His eyes snapped open. His whole class already left. The sun, once high in the sky, now an orange hue. A hand tapped on his desk. He looked over to see Miss Greene smiling gently at him. He smiled back. She brought up her hands and started to sign.

'Hey Lance, your teacher wants to speak to you. With your parents,' she signed, her eyes sympathetic.

Lance's stomach dropped. His blood ran cold. He shivered. 'Why?' He signed back. He got out of his seat and took his uniform jacket from his chair. He grabbed his hearing aids and put them into his pocket.

Miss Greene took his hand and lead him down the hallway. The painted yellow hallway creeped Lance out. No windows shine light through nor indoor lighting to dispel the darkness. The musty smell of socks oozed out of its walls. Some parts of the ceiling overtime became caked with green and black mold.

Lance's stomach twisted. Lance squeezed Miss Greene's hand. She squeezed back.

Past several closed doors, down another hallway, and they reached their destination; the principal's office.

Lance quickly slid his hearing aids in. His fingers playing with it before he adjusted to the right frequency. The world came to a whole new focus.

Something tapped against the walls around them. It sounded sinister. Screaming came from outside the building. Distant, but managed to rule up Lance's nerves even more. The principal's door creaked open painfully, and Lance winced. Miss Greene let go of his hand and stepped back.

The Principal has the biggest office in the entire school building, but despite being the biggest it only stretched five foot by five foot. Just enough to fit a chunky metal desk and rotting wooden chairs. Lance's parents sat on the two seats opposite to the metal desk. His mom in a faded jean dress, her long frizzy black hair now slicked back into a bun. She still wore a tired expression that somehow got even more exhausted. His stepfather wore his work uniform-a pair of brown slacks and a light blue button up complete with a black vest and the company's name on the vest. His hard hat nowhere to be seen.

His principal sat across from them. He looked much older than Lance's parents. His head bald and mustache white. He wore a brown suit that appeared to be bursting at the seams, and his pot belly hung over his black belt.

Lance met their eyes nervously. Bile climbed the back of his throat.

"Ah," Lance opened his mouth.

"Your principal tells us you've been coming to school with bruises on your face," Lance's stepfather growled. "Care to explain?"

Lance pressed his lips together. One of his hands unconsciously brought up to his face and pressed the bruise to his cheekbone. "I have lots of bullies, sir," the lie comes out easily, "I'm deaf, so people don't like me." Lance's hands clasp together. He looks at the ground.

The principal mumbled something and coughed into a handkerchief. "I'm sorry to hear that, Lance. We will take care of that for you," the principal stated.

"My poor son," Lance's mother said apathetically.

"Our poor son," Lance's stepfather corrected. "I understand how cruel kids are. We are doing our best, given our circumstances."

The principal nodded his head. His hands opened wide and closed again. They clenched tightly together and let go. Lance tilted his head slightly but kept it to himself.

"I see," the principal sighs. He stacks some papers on his desk. "Well, we are going to have to talk about preventative measures, then. Anything we can do to ensure Lance's safety."

Lance's stepfather grins. "Of course."

The adults finish talking, and Lance's mom roughly grabs Lance's wrist before they leave the room. She yanks on his arm through the hallway and to the parking lot. She nearly throws Lance to the ground once they're close enough to the car. Lance fell against their beater car. His stepfather punched the side of the vehicle next to Lance's head.

Lance's heart leaped into his throat. He swallows thickly. His stepfather doesn't move his fist. Instead, he leans down. His stepfather's chest quickly rose up and down. His nostrils flared and face turned red.

"You fuck up," Lance's stepfather growled. Lance's hands grabbed the car door behind himself. His stepfather suddenly stood up straight. "You can walk home. Maria!" He turned around. Lance's mom looked at her husband disinterestedly. Her arms cross and a hard scowl adorned her face. "Let's go."

Lance watched his mother and stepfather drive off. The car skidding lightening fast down the road. Lance let out a sigh. He clenched his teeth. He started to walk down the sidewalk.

Lance walked. His stomach heavy and head hurt from his tightly clenched teeth. The sounds of cars rushing past him and car horns beeping and dogs barking pounded against Lance's head. He slowed his pace and focused on the sounds of air rushing into his nose and exiting through his mouth.

Lance walked. The sun, hot on the back of his exposed neck, slowly descended to the twilight hour. Lance kept walking. His eyes focused on the area around him. Even though his hearing aids were in, he always looked around himself to make sure he knew what happened around himself. Which is why, when walking down the sidewalk of a suburban neighborhood, he noticed a boy around his age following him closely. The boy snuck behind a tree not too far from Lance. His large frame too big to hide behind the thin maple tree. Lance rose an eyebrow but continued down his path.

Lance walked. Waves of anxiety twisted his stomach. The delicate sound of sneakers running on pavement scurried behind him. Lance whipped his body around. His eyes met the boys. The boy, mid-scurry, stopped and sheepishly waved at Lance. He looked weird. A yellow bandana tied around his head with a matching yellow shirt and army green cargo pants. His belly bounced a little past his jeans and arms appeared thick, and capable of carrying a large sum of weight. Lance stopped walking. He tilted his head at the boy.

"Oh! Hey," the boy laughed awkwardly. "I'm Hunk! Sorry for scaring you. I was trying to be stealthy. Lika ninja."

Lance nodded. "That's pretty…" Lance felt his face relax. "That's so cool!"

Hunk grinned. "Yeah! I was watching Ninja Turtles and they're super stealthy! And they eat a lot of pizza! Have you heard of them?"

Lance shook his head.

Hunk gasped theatrically. "How dare! I will just have to show you myself!"

Lance nervously looked behind himself. "Sorry, bud, but I have to get back home."

Hunk pursed his lips. "Please! It'll just be for one episode!"

Lance's hands gripped his backpack straps tighter. "Sorry, dude," Lance looked at the ground. "I really got to go."

Hunk oh'd. "You in trouble with your parents? It happens," Hunk shrugged. "I'll see you tomorrow though, right? You're wearing the uniform I wear!"

Lance looked at his uniform then back to Hunk. "We do?"

Hunk nodded his head with his hands on his hips. "We're in different classes, but I'll find you!"

Hunk turned around and ran down the sidewalk. Lance's let out a breath he didn't know he held. He turned back around and started to walk down the sidewalk again.

Lance walked. His feet felt heavy. The sun almost completely gone. Street lamps and stars now illuminated the night. Harsh cold breezes now washed over the earth. Lance couldn't stop shivering.

Lance walked. His feet numb.

Through the suburban neighborhood stood a small patch of forest land and dirt road. Not a lot of people traveled down this small patch of land and dirt due to the rough road conditions and that no one wanted to enter the bad side of town. The woods lasted the shortest amount of walking distance; only fifteen minutes in total. Lance saw the gate of the back of his neighborhood. The metal chain link fence stretched up to about five feet tall. The chain link also fractured in several places. Most notably the cutout hole on its far side. He slipped through it easily. Thin limbs and frame worked in his favor.

He slid down a small slope of dirt, and into the slums. Dilapidated homes barely held on by infrastructure creaked and groaned around him. Dogs on chains barked ferociously from metal fenced yards. Lights in homes flickered on alongside the sound of distant television that echoed the news. Lance quickly walked down the broken sidewalk and cracked asphalt to his own dilapidated home. His house took quite a beating.

The foundation barely held. Rocks, once covering the under of the house from the world, now fell apart. The porch had at least three holes of varying size. The window shutters ripped off, and now empty cold windows stood. The windows white paint slowly stripping itself bit by bit. The once light blue paint, now grey, peeled away on the house. The front yard filled with knee-length grass and snakes.

Lance slid through the small narrow alley between the house and the metal gate. He opened the side door and entered a dark laundry room. He closed the door softly behind himself. The light flickered on. His stepfather's face glared at Lance's.

"I've been waiting for you for the past fifteen minutes," he stated. "Walk quicker."

Lance gulped. "Yes, sir."

His stepfather turned on his heels and left the room. Lance stood there. His body trembled. He quickly slipped off his shoes and went into the house. His steps soft. The stench of must and weed assaulted his nose. He kept his eyes on the floor.

He turned to go up the stairs, but a hand grabbed his arm. His head snapped up. His mother's scowl glared at him. He attempted to shake her off, but she stayed on his arm. Her nails bit into his skin. He grit back any expression of pain. She continued to glare at him.

"Don't," she warned.

She let go of his arm and scurried into the kitchen. Lance stared at her. Heat bubbled under his skin. He clenched his teeth and ran upstairs.

He ran into the attic and swiftly slammed the door behind him shut. He punched the wall. His fist dented the drywall. He grunted and threw his backpack. Lance kicked some of the boxes in his room over. The boxes toppled over. Unused kitchenware crashed to the ground. Lance kicked the kitchenware. The metal smacked into the wall. Lance's door slammed open.

His glare met his stepfather's. All the previous strength sapped out of Lance's body. His stepfather screamed at him. He stomped towards Lance. Lance backed up. His back hit the wall. His feet tripped over the kitchenware and he fell on his butt.

Lance's stepfather's fists clenched tight. Lance attempted to get up, but his stepfather kicked his chest. His body slammed into the wall. His stepfather kicked him. His foot caught the edge of Lance's face. Lance's head snapped back and hit the wall. A sharp pain spread over his head. His head throbbed. His ears popped. Lance cried out. His stepfather stepped back. He grabbed Lance's wrist and hoisted him to his feet. Lance shakily stood on his feet. His limbs numb and trembling.

He growled at Lance. "Who the fuck do you think you are?" Lance opened and closed his mouth. "Who fucking clothes you? Who pays for your school tuition? For you goddamn uniform? For the fucking food and bills around here?!"

Lance kept his eyes on the ground. His bottom lip quivered. His father slammed a fist next to his head. Lance squeezed his eyes shut. His stomach twisted.

Fat fingers wrapped around Lance's throat. Lance's stepfather squeezed his throat. Lance's hands grabbed his stepfather's wrist. They clawed him and attempted to rip him away from Lance. His stepfather's other hand grabbed Lance's wrists and pinned them against the wall above Lance's head. Lance sputtered. His eyes wide.

His stepfather pulled Lance towards himself then slammed him against the wall. Lance's head bounced off the wall. Black spots swallowed Lance's vision. His stepfather stepped away from Lance. Lance shook his head. As Lance looked up, his stepfather punched the side of Lance's head.

Lance yelped. His hearing aids bit into his flesh and broke apart. Lance gritted his jaw. Fat tears fell down his cheeks. The ground around Lance shifted and Lance quickly backed up. His stepfather kicked Lance in the ribs. Lance's ribs burned. Lance gasped. His empty stomach produced no puke, but Lance felt bile creep to the back of his throat.

Another kick and something in him snapped. Electrifying pain shot through his chest cavity. Lance's throat burned. His screams unheard, but his throat still ached. His stepfather moved away from him. His eyes, once narrowed, now wide. His face ashen. He turned around and ran downstairs.

Lance's hand reached down to cradle his waist. He felt sticky liquid cling to his skin. He brought his hand up. Blood.

He tried to inhale. Lance's lungs burned too much for him to breathe. He rested his head on the wooden floor. His body sunk into a deep peace.

Pain flooded his body. Lance's eyes opened. A white painted ceiling met his eyes. Lance's hands gently pressed to his sides. Something cold pressed against his ribs. The cold thing bandaged and tied around Lance's now naked torso.

Someone loomed over him. Their features delicate, familiar. A girl, much older than Lance. Her hair long and brownish-red. Her eyes big and delicate. Clara.

She brought her hands up. 'You're living with us, Lance. Don't worry. I love you.'

Lance cried.

The circular light melted away from the blue paladin. Lance stood proudly. His teammates came rushing into the circle. All of them embracing him so tightly Lance nearly got choked out.

"Woah there, there's enough of me for everyone," Lance laughed.

His teammates stepped away from him, except for Coran who continued cried on Lance's shoulder.

"Wait, how'd you get your hearing? Can you read lips super well? I don't see any hearing aids?" Pidge asked, her hands firmly planted on her hips.

"My brother and sister saved up for this big surgery," Lance scratched the back of his head. "They basically implanted something in my middle ear to help me hear. That's why you guys can't see it."

Keith caught Lance's eye. Tears fell from Keith's eyes. "I'm sorry," Lance looked away and shifted his weight onto his other foot. "You guys shouldn't have experienced that...my burden to bare and all-"Hunk clasped a hand on Lance's shoulder. "Dude, your burden is our burden. We're a family, remember?"

Lance nodded his head. Pidge wrapped her arms around Lance's torso. "You're my space brother," she mumbled into his shirt. He patted her head.

Shiro put a hand on Keith's shoulder and Keith wiped his eyes.

"Let's call this an evening, shall we, paladins?" Allura smiled at them.

"Oh! I know!" Hunk grinned. "Movie night! Let's watch some weird space dramas!"

Hunk started walking towards the door. "I know some pretty good ones from my teen years! Space Robot Cop and his mistress, the moon!" Coran bounced ahead of Hunk.

'I'll get the space popcorn!" Pidge chimed.

Shiro laughed. He took Allura's arm and the two left the room after the other paladins. Lance smiled at his family. He caught Keith's eye.

Keith played with his hands. His eyes downcast. He shifted his weight. "So…"

Lance tilted his head and put his hands on his hips. "Are you okay?"

Keith shrugged. "To be honest...what happened to you-it kinda hit close to home," Keith met Lance's gaze. "I never really had a family, and a lot of the foster homes I went to were filled with assholes."

Lance relaxed his posture. "I'm sorry…"

"I-I got hit a lot too," Keith's voice cracked. "Sorry."

Lance gingerly placed a hand on Keith's shoulder. Keith smiled at Lance. He reached forward and hugged Lance. Lance squeezed back.

Keith broke away. His hands came up. He pointed at himself then at Lance. He crossed his wrists over his chest and mouthed 'love'. Lance grinned. A blush crept across his face.

Lance signed back, 'I love you too'.