Lance felt someone tapping at his shoulder. He was sleeping on his bed for once but he didn't remember falling asleep. He let his eyes flutter open but they landed on someone he was unfamiliar with. Quickly he reached under his pillow and pointed his Bayard at the person. It quickly transformed into his recognizable gun. The man stumbled back.

"Who are you?"

"Wow, okay calm down. I'm Matt, remember?" He smiled at him which made Lance lower his gun. He recognized that name, and it brought a warmness to his body.

"Matt… Pidge's brother right?" Lance pointed a finger at him carefully. Letting his Bayard transform back down, he stuffed it under his pillow. "You scared me, dude. Usually, they don't come and wake me up like that,"

"So I've noticed." he laughed under his breath. "Hunk didn't want you to miss breakfast again so they asked me to come to get you. They assumed you wouldn't be tired since you were asleep most of yesterday anyways,"

Lance did feel much more energetic than he usually did when he woke up. He hopped off his bed and gave a large stretch before smiling at Matt. "Yeah, I remember going to my room since everyone was busy. Let me brush my teeth and then we can go to the kitchen. Feel free to wait on my bed if you want,"

"Alright," Matt sat down and watched as he moved over to his bathroom. He tried to be as quick as possible knowing that Matt was waiting for him but when he got out Matt didn't seem to mind. He was just standing there messing with the trinkets that Lance didn't quite recognize.

"I like your room," Matt announced when he noticed he was out. "Very cozy. You even have candy!" He reached out to get on but Lance made him jump with a loud voice.

"Don't eat those!" He sheepishly covered his mouth with the back of his arm as Matt stepped back. "Sorry didn't mean to yell."

"Hey man they're your candy," Matt was back to smiling at him.

"Medicine actually," Lance stepped over and popped one in his mouth. "Coran just makes them taste good,"

"I wish all medicine was like that," he sighed deciding not to pry any further. Moving back over to the door he motioned him closer. "Now come. They're probably waiting for us,"

Lance nodded quickly and raced over to stand next to him. Matt made small talk with him for a while. Lance only nodded and added when necessary. He enjoyed hearing Matt ramble about things he didn't quite remember because he didn't mind explaining the context to him. Nor did he mind when Lance didn't quite get something. They were almost at the kitchen and Lance expected the conversation to die down but Matt didn't let it.

"I thought you usually covered your arms up," He grabbed onto Lance's arm and pulled it closer. "These are pretty cool though,"

He let out a nervous chuckle not minding Matts touch. "I only cover them when I don't mind wearing my jacket or when someone I don't really trust is here,"

Matt hummed in thought. "You trust Lotor?"

Lance looked over at him a bit in shock as they finally walked into the kitchen. "No, why would I trust the Galra's prince?"

A throat was cleared as he finally looked up at the table where everyone in the castle sat. He looked at Pidge who had been the one to clear her throat. Lance crinkled his eyebrows together in confusion and Pidge quickly glance to her side. Lance followed her eyes where Lotor sat awkwardly playing with his food.

"I made things awkward…" Matt ducked his head down and quickly moved over to sit next to his sister who glared at him. "What? How was I supposed to know he was gonna be so blunt,"

"Wait!" Lance shook his head and stared at Lotor in shock. "Why is he here?"

"Oh, so you simply don't remember?" Lotor smiled at him. "Have a seat and eat then we'll take you to your lion,"

Lance glared at him as he sat back down. "No, I want you to explain why you're here,"

"Well, that's a long story," Lotor offered another smile that made Lance look away from him.

"So just welcome a homicidal prince into our home is fine," Lance mumbled back. Lotor made a groaning noise from the back of his throat. It didn't sound annoyed however it sounded almost regretful causing Lance to quickly look up at him in confusion.

"Come on now buddy give him a break," his attention was caught up on Hunk who placed a plate in front of him and sat down to his left. Lance offered him a smile but it dropped as his eyes flickered from Lotor to Hunk.

"So…" he said as the growing pain in his stomach slowed as he fed himself. "Why is he here,"

Allura was sitting next to him and kept glancing between the two to try and ease the friction.

"Well, as he said, it's a long story," Hunk rubbed the back of his neck in thought.

"How far back do you remember?" Lotor questioned only for Hunk to shake his head in disapproval.

"That's not how his memory loss works," Hunk thought back.

"He doesn't lose memories chronologically. He just loses them depending on what he's thought of less or what's not his primary focus," Pidge explained further. She sunk further into her chair. "It's fine. Lance just eat your fill of breakfast and then you can go to your lion,"

"You sure nothing important happened yesterday?" Lance looked between all of them and Coran looked ready to open his mouth until a plate dropped a little too hard on the table.

"Hey, don't slam your things," Shiro scolded.

"Sorry," Keith mumbled sitting next to him. "Just… a lot of important stuff happened yesterday," Keith looked up at Lance sadly for a split second before smiling and looking back down at his food. "It can wait though. You haven't eaten since yesterday," he felt eyes on him and looked up again. Lance was simply staring at him. "What?"

"It's you," Lance blinked quickly.

"It's me," Keith cocked an eyebrow.

Lance quickly got up which startled all of them but he ran forward and pulled Keith close to his chest. One hand around his neck and the other around his head. Keith made a small gagging noise as he reached up to grip the other's arms. Looking up he noticed Lance's eyes shut tight and a big smile on his face.

"You're back! When did you get back?!" Lance laughed pulling him back and holding onto his cheeks. "How was your horrible experience over there? Why didn't you tell us you were coming back? Oh my god, how long have you even been gone for?"

"See this is the reaction I expected," Keith laughed pulling his hand away from his face. "One question at a time Lance,"

"Sorry!" He pulled back gripping onto his hands behind himself. "I just missed you. We all did," he quickly added looking over at the others.

"I missed everyone too," Keith was smiling at him but it wasn't as warm as he remembered.

Shiro sighed. "He's been here for an entire day. You were the first to greet him,"

"Shiro!" Allura scolded. "Can't you see he doesn't quite remember?"

Lance looked shocked staring at Keith with an apologetic look only for him to hold out his hands. "Hey, it's okay. Red will help you out,"

"Sure but eat before you head out," Coran quickly added. "You tend to skip meals simply because you don't remember you haven't eaten."

"So we've already had our reunion?" Lance smiled at Keith but he simply shrugged.

"Something like that," He rubbed the back of his neck. "Just eat Lance,"

Lance was taken aback by everyone simply brushing off his memory loss. It seemed out of nowhere but he accepted the awkward air and sat back down. He ate his fill only listening in to the conversation going on around him. It wasn't that he didn't want to contribute, it was simply something he was unable to do. He knew the others didn't know he had forgotten whatever they were talking about but he had. It felt empty simply trying to pick up broken ideas. When he finished he didn't ask for a second plate like he normally did. Instead, he pushed his plate back and stood up.

"I'll go see Red now," he glanced between all of them and let his eyes land on Keith. "Can you take me?"

"Me?" Keith coughed. "Are you sure?"

"I need a guide and you've been gone for a really long time," Lance shrugged. "I just don't want to get lost,"

Keith seemed conflicted but he stood up from his chair and smiled. "Sure, Lance. I don't mind,"

The other waved them along and Keith and Lance were once again caught walking along the hallway in silence. Lance kept looking over at him and quickly looking away whenever Keith looked over at him.

That passed for a few seconds before Keith finally let out a small chuckle. "Okay, what's up?"

"Hm?"

"You keep staring at me," Keith crossed his arms playfully.

"You just seem… I don't know, different?" He let out a quick sigh. "Did something happen between us?"

Keith all but confirmed it when he let out a small groan as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, kind of. I just don't want you to be mad at me when you get your memories back,"

"What'd you do?" Lance cocked an eyebrow as he puffed out his chest. "Did you hurt my feelings?"

"What? No," Keith let out another chuckle. "We just talked and let's just say a few of the things that we talked about weren't exactly great,"

"Were any of them your fault?" Lance made an attempt to left but Keith grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the right.

"Not that I can think of," Keith let go of his arm as they made it close to the lions. "Not directly anyway,"

"Then why would I be mad at you?" He earned himself a smile in response.

"We're here,"

Lance looked up to hear Red purring towards him and causing a laugh to come from his throat.

"Hey girl," he patted her head. "Keith's here. I bet you missed him a lot too," she passed him a great wave of happiness which made him warm. "She definitely misses you,"

"Glad to here," he laughed as he looked up at her.

"Red would you help me up here?" Lance patted at his head. Keith stared at the two for a while. Lance seemed conflicted about something. Giving a quick glance towards him he simply nodded. "It's fine." Red leaned down nuzzling her nose close to Lance who hugged her enthusiastically. He let the front of his forehead touch the rough metallic along her snout.

He remembered yesterday with a mist around it. Extremely blurry memories that would have been confused as a dream had they not come from Red. The market, his fight, the talk with Keith, his confession. He pulled back quickly. He looked over at Keith who was simply standing there with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.

"I'm assuming you want some space?" Lance only gave a dumbfounded nod. "Hey it's okay, take your time. We'll still probably be in the kitchen when you want to talk,"

He turned around quickly and began to jog off. "I'm not mad at you!" He looked back to Lance's flushed pink face. "You said I would be but I'm not,"

"Good to know," he sighed fondly before waving him off. Lance watched him run off before sinking to his knees in embarrassment.

"Red, oh my God, I said so much weird stuff to him!" She seemed to laugh at him. "This isn't funny; I'm having a crisis!" He let out the embarrassment for a couple of minutes before groaning into his hands. "I can't believe I said all of that," his memories from this morning passed him and he suddenly jolted up. "Lotor! I said I didn't trust him. I need to explain." He groaned for the umpteenth time and began moving back. "Thanks, girl! I'll definitely visit you later on today,"

She purred in approval. He made his way back to the kitchen but stopped by his room first. He put on his big brown jacket that immediately covered his arms. He hugged himself to feel the warmth and calmed himself down. He stuffed a small bag into his pocket that was left in the box next to his bed.

Running back he thought of ways to apologize. He made it back into the kitchen where people were bombarding Keith with questions until they noticed him. They quickly sat back in the chairs which caused Lance to chuckle under his breath.

"Remembering better?" Allura questioned.

"A lot better," Lance's eyes fell along Lotor's and he motioned for him to get up. "I just wanted to talk to Lotor for a bit,"

"With me?" He got up despite himself. His eyebrows crinkled together. "That's quite unnecessary Lance,"

He only grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the door. "No, it's important that I explain something to you," Lance felt the glare Keith was giving Lotor but he ignored that and continued dragging him further into the castle. Lotor passively let it happen until they made it to an open deck. But unlike the one that helped make you see stars no matter the time this one was actually open. Almost like a balcony.

Lance took a deep breath in and walked to the railing that prevented anyone from falling. Lotor followed him close.

"Lotor... about what I said in the kitchen-" Lance was interrupted with a shake of his head.

"It's really quite alright. You didn't remember me. I understand." He was smiling at him and the way the light illuminated against his long white hair made Lance almost hold his tongue. He only gave a big sigh and sunk into the railing.

"I don't trust you," Lotors smile faltered a bit. He dropped his hands back down as Lance ran a hand through his face in guilt. "With all my memories back I don't trust you. I was going to apologize about being rude not for saying something that I find true,"

Neither of the two was looking at each other. Lance saw the way that Lotors eyes kept flickering from the ground to himself before he simply let out a sigh. "I can understand why," his voice was small and accepting. "The Galra empire has been nothing but cruel to those around it. I can understand why my race-"

"This has nothing to do with your race!" Lotor jumped at the sudden loud voice as he looked over at Lance. He looked insulted, his mouth curled up in a snarl and his hands tightened into balls. "Why would I care that you were born something different from me," he let out an exhausted sigh. "If this was about your race I wouldn't be associating with the blade… I wouldn't be associating with Keith. This has nothing to do about your heritage,"

"Then…my crown?"

Lance rolled his eyes. "Why the hell would I care about a title. Allura is technically a queen but she still goes by the princess." Lance tapped along his arm. "Your empire may be different from what Allura has described Altea was like but its still just a place. Inanimate until the people represent it,"

Lotor shifted his eyes back at the ground. "Then what has caused you to become distrustful towards me? I will do anything in my power to fix it." Lotor was quick with his words, letting them slip out his mouth as soon as he could.

"There's nothing to fix," Lance groaned into his hand at Lotors lack of understanding. "Have you ever had friends before?" Lotor opened his mouth but Lance held up his hand. "Don't answer that… what I'm trying to say is not that I can never trust you, just right now I don't,"

"And why's that?"

"Because I don't know you, princey," Lance let out a breathless laugh. "I only know what you tell me which is fine but I'm sure that you don't quite trust me either,"

"Why wouldn't I trust you?"

"Why would you?"

"You're a paladin,"

"You're a prince," Lance stated matter of factly.

"They're not the same,"

"They're both just titles,"

"You're my ally,"

"So?"

"So we have the same goals," Lotor was growing frustrated but Lance needed to make him understand.

"How do you know I didn't just lie and I'm secretly gonna betray everyone?"

"Are you?"

"Of course not," Lance scoffed. "Then again… I could be lying,"

"You gain nothing from betraying your teammates,"

Lance shrugged. "I secretly hate them and want them all dead,"

"No, you don't,"

"Yes, I do,"

"No, you don't," Lotors voice was growing sterner. More irritated.

"Yes, I do,"

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Because you care about them!" Lotor screamed in frustration. "You know everything about them and you care about their cause!"

"Weaknesses," Lance sighed, immune to the tone he was using and not so much as flinching. "It's easier to take them out when I have everything in the palm of my hand. Quite literally," he looked at his arms covered in notes. "I know all their weak spots," Lotor groaned into his hands. "Do you believe I could just leave and give all my information away?"

"It's not your sole information,"

"True, but that doesn't answer my question." Lance stared at him. His dark blue eyes focused on Lotors dark purple ones.

"No, I don't think you would,"

"I didn't ask you to think if I would I asked whether you believed I could,"

"Sure, everyone could,"

"Why not you?"

"I never said I couldn't,"

"Then why are you so offended that I don't trust you?" Lance looked up at the sky. His voice even and calm.

"I'm not,"

"Can you prove that I'm not leaking information?"

"Sure I can simply backtrace all your outputted messages,"

"And you would trust those alone?" Lance draped a hand over his forehead overdramatically. "What if I was framed?" Lotor kept quiet. "Do you know enough about me to determine whether I would lie about something this big? Poor forgetful kid. Betraying his own race!"

"I don't know," Lotor groaned into his hands. "You're not making any sense!"

"I'm making perfect sense," Lance giggled.

"I need to check in with Pidge," Lotor tried to move away only for Lance to grab onto his arm and stop him.

"Why?"

"I'm beginning to doubt your words,"

Lance smirked. "Why?"

"Because I don't know you!" Lotor screamed as he yanked his arm back.

He made a move to keep walking but stopped when Lance finally doubled over in laughter. "I told you you didn't trust me!"

Lotor stared at him for a few ticks as his laughter softened. "What does any of that have to do with trust?"

"You have doubts," Lance rolled his eyes playfully. His voice occasionally hiccuped with laughs. "Don't force yourself to play loyal ally no matter what," Lance placed his hands on his hips proudly. "I would much rather be trusted by Emperor Lotor then tolerated for the sake of an alliance. We don't know each other," Lance punched his arm playfully.

"Is that what you wanted me to do?" Lotor pushed his arm away. "To admit that I don't fully trust Voltron? To ruin this alliance?"

"Now, come on, don't be mad at me," Lance skipped next to him. "What I'm saying is that I can't just magically trust you. We have no foundation together. It doesn't mean we have to play hostile and mean, just that we shouldn't pretend to trust each other together. That just leads to bad trust," he held out his hand for Lotor to take. "Now shake my hand and agree to a truce!"

"Why would I-"

"Because we're friends!" Lance cut in. "I may not trust you fully but I do think you are part of our team. Your one of us!"

Lotor stared at his hand. "Friend?"

"Duh," Lance rolled his eye. "I do love messing with you but this is true! I don't kid about things like this,"

"You're not lying?"

"No. Never," Lance shook his head and pushed his hand closer towards him. "Sorry for getting you riled up. Truce?" Lotor let out an exhausted sigh and he hesitantly outstretched his arm. Lance reached out and shook it hard before Lotor had time to react. "Awesome, glad you don't hold grudges. I would have been devastated."

"Devastated?" Lotor chuckled.

"Yeah man! You're like the only person who I can talk to that won't be biased. Plus, I like your advice. You're really good at talking,"

"Am I?" He sounded prideful of that which only made Lance laugh.

"Definitely. By the way, I won't be offended if you decide to check in with Pidge on whether you think I'm actually giving out information,"

Lotor lifted his chin. "Now why would it do that? I trust you,"

"We all know you don't,"

"Yeah I'll lose sleep over it if I don't check in with her first," Lotor sighed. Lance laughed a bit harder.

"Now come on!" He placed his hands on his shoulders and began pushing him further into the castle. "I really need a spa day after everything!"

"Afraid to say that Shiro has called me to join the small final meeting with the blade before we leave this planet," Lotor smiled at him. "Maybe next time?"

"Oh no, they don't!" Lance rushed inside again seeing everyone sitting in the lounge room now looking over at him. "You guys have another meeting today?"

"Oh yeah," Pidge snapped her fingers. "It probably won't be long though,"

"But I never gave you your gifts!" Lance dug into his pockets and pulled up a small bag curled together tightly, presumably to stop whatever was inside to fall out.

"You gave us everything we asked for," Allura cocked an eyebrow.

"No, but these are just presents from me to you," He unraveled the bag and smiled brightly. "They're friendship bracelets,"

"Friendship bracelets?" Hunk smiled as he stood

up and made his way closer.

"Yeah! I thought they were so cute and they had so many so I just bought all of them!"

"Of course you would," Pidge scoffed with a quick roll of her eyes but made her way closer to him.

Lance's smile was wide and Lotor watched him with a faint smile as well as he sat down on the couch where Keith was glaring at him. He looked at him up and down but quickly dropped his glare as to not ruin Lance's mood.

"Green for you Pigeon," he said happily tying it to her held out wrist. "And my best buddy obviously gets gold." Hunk looked much more excited as he wrapped it around his wrist himself.

"Awe thanks buddy it's great!" Hunk gave him a quick hug which was returned enthusiastically.

Lance was chuckling as he pulled away from Hunk and looked over to the two Alteans standing next to each other. "Allura you get pink! That way it gets to match armor." Allura happily held out her hand for him to tie it before simply stating at the seemingly glittering pink. "Coran I wasn't sure what color to get you…" Lance admitted.

"Not to worry! I'd gladly accept any color," he answered with a twirl of his mustache.

Lance smiled at him and wrapped a hand around Allura. "Well, Allura and I are clearly your favorite so you get… Blue!" Coran took it happily and tied it around his own wrist. "Matt you get Orange cause I love your hair,"

"Awe sweet I get one too?" Matt jogged quickly towards him and stuck out his hand as Lance wrapped the orange string around his wrist. He gave a wide smile as he admired it. " I thought it was only for you paladins. The cool kids," he giggled earning him one back.

"Of course not then I wouldn't be able to give Keith his!" He made his way towards him before he could stand up and grabbed onto his wrist. "Red for our fellow emo because you'll always be our red paladin."

Keith laughed in response watching Lance finish up the knot. "Thanks, Lance,"

He had already turned however and tossed one towards Shiro who caught it gracefully. He looked down at it and smiled softly. It made Lance realized how little he had seen Shiro smile lately. It made his cheeks slightly warm. "Black?"

"Yeah," he cleared his throat. "Black matched your lion and armor. An obvious choice,"

"I thought the red and blue one were for you," Keith questioned. Lotor nodded in agreement.

"I remember you distinctly arguing with yourself," Lotor laughed.

"Oh, I bought a color that goes much better for me!" He pulled out a beautiful dark purple bracelet and outstretched his wrist for Keith. He took the hint and quickly began tying it around his wrist. "It's both of my colors combined. Plus it goes with me much better no matter what I'm wearing,"

Hunk laughed as he stepped closer. "These are super nice Lance." He said admiring his own. "I'm glad you got them for us!"

"Wait, I still have one more," Lance smiled and pulled out a plain white one. "Lotor this one's yours,"

Lotor was taken aback. He caught eyes with Allura who nodded enthusiastically before looking back at Lance. "This one's for me?"

"No, I'm just holding it out to you for Caper," Lance rolled his eyes sarcastically and interrupted him before Lotor could ask the inevitable question of who was Casper. "Duh, it's for you. Now give me your wrist,"

The Galra held it out skeptically. Lance made quick work to tie it and once it was done Lotor only looked at it with wide eyes.

"Hey calm down there dork," Pidge stepped closer and sat next to him. "It's only a bracelet."

Lotor only gave her a glance before continuing to look at his wrist. "I've never received a gift before," he said that softly but it gained everyone's sympathetic eyes. He quickly laughed at himself. "It's lovely. Thank you, Lance,"

Lance shook off the initial shook and smiled at him. "No problem, princey." He looked over at Keith who was glaring at Lotor. He wasn't paying much attention though before he was playing with the bracelet along his wrist too. He shook his head. "Okay, now you guys can go to your meeting,"

"Yeah, we should probably start setting up," Keith got up. "Come on Lance I'll fill you in on what you missed so you won't be lost,"

Lance cocked an eyebrow. "I'm not going to the meeting,"

"What, why not?"

"Ask our leader," Hunk mumbled passing by him.

Shiro sighed when Keith looked over at him. "To prevent information from getting out we've found it best if he steps out,

*Careful throwing around that we like this was a vote," Pidge shrugged earning her a quick hit in the arms from her brother.

"What do you think he's leaking info?" Keith all but snared so Lance, trying to calm the tension stepped between them.

"Hey Keith calm down," he looked over at Shiro before turning back to Keith. "It's nothing really. I don't even want to go to those dumb meetings,"

"Constantly having to refresh and explain concepts over at over because Lance gets distracted easily wastes time and makes the information much more easily transferable," Shiro scowled back.

"He can simply take note," Allura suggested

"We won't be attending the meeting either," Coran confessed. "Perhaps he can take notes for us as well,"

"Wow too much pressure," Lance held up his hands. "It's really okay,"

"Come on Shiro. Don't be like that," Keith patted Lance's head. "Look at this poor bored dork,"

"And if information gets leaked out?"

"It won't," Keith stood up straight. "If it does it's on me,"

Lance was ready to argue. He had tried to convince Shiro on more than one occasion to let him join. Every one of the paladins had. He didn't hold out hope anymore so he opened his mouth to argue only to hear Shiro sigh.

"Fine, he can join," He looked over at him in surprise. He was ready for a quick change of his mind but Shiro only shook his head and turned away. "Go get ready Lance,"

He looked over at the others who were all starting at Shiro in shock as well. Keith was the only one not doing that. Instead, he was grinning at him in approval. Lance scrunched up his face and crumbled up his fist. "Lotor's coming too," he announced. Shiro looked ready to argue but Lance only shook his head. "He's going," he confirmed stubbornly.

"I'll go get ready then," Lotor nodded carefully.

Lance's breath was coming out much deeper than before and he couldn't find it in himself to look up. Keith noticed him clutching and unclutching his hands. He grabbed his shoulder. "Lance why are you-"

"Why do you only listen to him?!" Lance screamed.

"Lance enough," Shiro sighed.

"He's your brother and I get that but do you have to announce that so calmly?" Lance shook good head when Shiro opened his mouth. "You know what? Nevermind. Thank you, Shiro, for this great opportunity to actually do my job," he said sarcastically. Turning around as he walked off toward his room. "Keith, I'm sorry. None of this is your fault but I'm so over this. I'll meet you guys at the meeting," he yelled without turning his back.

They were stuck in the lounge room in silence. Despite Lance saying it wasn't his fault Keith could help to feel a bit guilty. Pidge and Hunk looked ready to comfort him but Shiro clapped his hands. "Enough of this, go get ready and set up the meeting room. Lance and Lotor will meet us there."

After a moment they did as they were told. Coran and Allura set up something different as everyone got ready and took their designated seats. Lotor had walked in and sat down on the first seat he saw open. A few blades made there way in and finally, the paladins noticed Lance sulking in with a notepad on one hand and a couple of pens in the other.

Pidge and Hunk were already surrounded by blades. Lance gave a quick glance at Keith who smiled at him apologetically. He returned it but opted to sit next to Lotor instead.

He seemed a bit surprised but said nothing about it. Lance noticed the glare Shiro had on him and wrote something on his paper before sighing.

"Keep sighing and you'll run out of breath," Lotor earned himself a smile.

"Did you even want to come?" Lance questioned. "Sorry for dragging you into this."

"It's alright Lance," he laughed before hesitating a moment and reaching his side. "I actually have something for you,"

"What's that?"

"I've noticed you have those gummies next to your bed," Lotor seemed hesitant but he began digging in his pocket. "Coran has told me they're more so your medicine… to help with your nervousness,"

Lance cocked an eyebrow. "Not really, but they are a type of medicine so close enough,"

"Oh well, I just assumed you had a sort of sweet tooth to you," he seemed embarrassed to get it wrong and held out a small pouch to him. Lance only stared at it. "I found these at the market. They were selling them for relatively nothing and you seem like you could use something new."

"What are they?" Lance did take them this time and picked one out to admire the hard colorful surface.

"It's candy," Lotor shrugged rubbing at the back of his neck as he tried to think. "I was never allowed to have any but when I behaved my governess used to sneak me in those." Lotor smiled at his memories. "I just thought you might like to try them,"

Lance gave a wide smile as he now took the colorful bag of candy. "Thanks, Princey! But wouldn't you want some? Why are you giving all of them to me?"

Lotor held up his hand and shook his head. "I bought two bags. Both were originally for me but you've had a rough day. I just assumed you would like them," he shrugged again. "They make me happy,"

"That's sweet," Lance smiled at him as he popped one in his mouth. He wrote something else down.

The meeting began with a slam of the door that made them jump. It seemed so out of nowhere that Lance barely had time to prepare himself. Simply being thrown this information was much more frustrating than simply forgetting but he wrote down small things at a time.

A projection was thrown up on the screen. One that Lance tried to memorize to the best of his ability before it changed. Shiro was, unsurprisingly, taking the position to explain everything. "This planet is surrounded by magma which protects it from invasions. The galra had managed to control the energy it pulls out but if we can somehow manage to get inside then we'd have enough manpower to liberate the citizens. The problem is-"

"We can't find a way inside," Lotor thought.

"The side of the planet has supply ships come and go. There's enough space for a lion to sneak past," Pidge glanced at the map trying to think of anything. "With one of the blades help we could manage to keep it open a bit longer for us to go in undetected."

"The heat is still a problem," Keith shook his head. "We'd have to time that perfectly and the heat would interfere with our Lions,"

"I could probably build something small but we wouldn't have anything to test the heat resistance of it," Hunk thought.

"I could probably create something to test it to scale," Matt smiles at him. "It would take a while though,"

Lance scratched himself with the back of his pen. "Uh Shiro-"

"Not right now Lance," he rolled his eyes. "If you have any questions refer back to your notes,"

He let out a growl of frustration. "That's not what I was going to say,"

"Any ideas on how to handle the heat then without taking a big risk?" Shiro interrupted.

"Yes actually,"

"Lance enough!"

"But I have an idea!" Lance huffed.

Keith clutched his hands. "Shiro just let him-"

"Lance you don't even know why we're going into this planet. What could you possibly say in this situation?"

"I know that we need to get inside!"

"Tell me, have you even been taking notes?"

"As a matter of fact, I have!" Lance breathed in calmly. Everyone was staring at them. He wanted to leave. Shaking his head he dug his face into his hands.

"Sure you have," he mumbled back.

"Well this has been fun," Lance flicked his pen in his pocket abruptly gaining the attention of everyone. He looked down at his paper as his smile turned much more sarcastic. "So far on my notes I have: Shiro doesn't want me here, Galra's are bad, Lotor gave me some candy-"

"Lance.." Hunk seemed to be getting up ready to go over towards him but Shiro glared for him to sit down. Lance ignored them both and continued reading.

"The blades keep glaring at Lotor, Lotor is being nice to me, no one's defending me, Shiro is being a dick-"

This time Shiro banged his hand against the table. "Hey, don't you dare start!"

"Start what?!" Standing up, Lance banged his hands along the table as well. "As far as I'm concerned you've been directly arguing with me the moment I set foot in this stupid meeting room," he pushed his notebook out from in front of him. Lotor caught it before it got too far. "If you didn't want me here you didn't have to agree with Keith! I know he's your favorite or whatever but none of us would have-"

"Don't you dare go around speculating my feeling about others!" Shiro screamed back. "I agreed to Keith's idea because I believed he had a point in bringing you along. Apparently, you can't even add anything useful,"

"Because you don't let me!" Lance groaned as he ran a hand through his hair. "I have to shout just for you to listen to me! Pidge, Hunk, and Lotor are being less ignored because you're mad at them! Allura and Coran aren't even here! You're only listening to the blade with happiness!"

"Lance, I'm sure that's enough," Lotor got up from his spot. And placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No, it's not enough! Screw you, Shiro! Some great and noble leader you are. You're not even letting your own teammates talk," he glared over at Keith who sat there in shock. Mouth slightly agape but eyes crinkled together in worry. Shiro was getting irritated. "You know how we could solve your stupid little dilemma. Red could do it"

Shiro rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Lance this isn't about your glory. The part of your mind that always screams to be the center of attention shouldn't be dealing with things like this,"

"Red is the only one who can withstand that amount of heat without breaking down. She could easily sneak in around the opening, grab whatever the hell you wanted and bounce outta there. Or she could sneak in there and try and make an opening for all of you guys but of course that outrageous right?! No way I could do that," the blades were looking at the map and back at Lance trying to decipher whether or not that would work in between their screaming. As they did that Lance took out his Bayard and tossed it at Keith who caught it abruptly. "There, now you have the real red paladin back. He can pilot her. I never wanted the glory… He's a greater paladin anyways" he turned on his heal running off before anyone could stop him.

"Wait Lance hold on!" Hunk got up quickly running after him and ignoring everyone else. Pidge got up as well.

"Hey no you sit down," Shiro glared at her and she crumbled up her fist.

"Lance has a point. That plan would work and you really haven't been paying attention to any of us, even now." She huffed and ran after him as well following in Hunk's footsteps. Matt followed with her only shooting a glare at Shiro and following his sister out.

Keith was fumbling with the Bayard. Everyone was staring at him as if expecting him to get up and walk away but he didn't. He only stared at it with a sad expression. He stood up from his chair but both Kolivan and Shiro shot him a glare. He tightened his hand around the Bayard and sat back down. He couldn't help feeling like this was his fault. If he hadn't bugged Shiro then this probably would have gone out differently.

Lotor was simply standing there and sighed loudly gaining Keith's attention. His hands were crossed tightly as if trying to restrain himself. He closed his eyes and shook his head in disappointment. Keith knew that was targeted toward him and despite still not trusting Lotor that small act of disappointment made him shrink into himself.

"I'll excuse myself," Lotor spoke calmly but his body made it clear that he was angry. Picking up Lance's notebook and the remainder of Lances stuff that was left there. Instead of leaving however he made his way around the table and stopped in front of Keith.

One of the blades cautiously got up. "Emperor Lotor what are you-"

He held out his hand. "You have something that belongs to Lance,"

Keith looked down at the Bayard. The bright red color that reminded him of something that was once his. Of the bracelet now clearly wrapped along his wrist. He looked back at Lotor who moved his hand closer towards him, telling him to give it to him.

"No, don't give it to him," Kolivan spoke through the screen. "You must not trust him with the red paladins Bayard,"

"I would think you who have betrayed your empire for what is right would learn that others do the same," Lotor growled up at him. "Keith, that does not belong to you. Not anymore."

Lotor said his name with such spite that it made him flinch back. "Keith, enough just hand it to me and I'll make sure it gets to him," Shiro sighed. "There's no reason for you to give it to him,"

Lotor looked ready to back down. He eyes shut in exhaustion and he was about to drop his hand when Keith spoke out.

"Shiro, I remember a time that you gave him your Bayard." Keith looked over at him who was simply staring between the two. "You're in the castle anyway… just make sure it gets to Lance," he sighed as he handed it over gently. Lotor curled his hand around it and before he could leave Keith placed both of hands around it. "Make sure it gets to him and only him," a threat, one that made Lotor snatch his hand back.

"I have no interest in taking it." Lotor stepped back and gave another quick bow. "I hope you come to another well enough plan if you refuse to listen to Lance," the click of his shoes against the floor echoed with his relatively slow steps. Leaving all of them starting at the open door and the now four empty seats