The Stars Between -- (VLD)

[32] He is like me

"Care to explain?" he growled.

"I uhhh..." Lance faltered nervously. "Is this about me kind of ignoring my usual duties? Because Kelaan kind of kicked me out of the medbay, so--"

Muxis cut him off, shoving the datapad in his face. "About this." he said, and Lance took a moment to focus, drawing back so he could read the screen.

Blue Lion of Voltron Sighted in Ner-Toli system - that was all he could read before Muxis snatched it away again.

"Muxis, I was going to follow the routes but then--"

"No buts, you have put this whole faction in danger!" Muxis drew up to his full height, and Lance shrank back. "Ner-Toli is too close to where we are now, and if the Empire catches wind of it, they could trace it back to here!"

"There was a distress beacon, I couldn't just--"

"You should have taken a supply ship, not one of the most distinctive ships in the universe! There are no excuses to how dangerous that is!"

"Muxis, I--"

Muxis held up a hand, a snarl forming on his face. "I'm not finished Lance, let me speak."

Lance ducked his head, biting his lip.

"The Blue Lion is now grounded. And you - no leaving base, no missions until further notice."

"But--"

Muxis held his hand up again, eyes narrowing. "There are consequences for your actions, you need to know that. Voltron is a beacon of hope for those under the Empire's rule, but it is a dangerous weapon. You understand that, I hope."

Lance meekly nodded.

"One slip-up could cost the lives of millions. It could cost you the lives of friends - family."

Tears were burning in the corners of Lance's eyes, and he wiped his nose on the back of his hand. "If I- if I didn't," his voice was shaking, but he forced himself to try and steady it. "I-it would have cost the life of the Black Paladin."

Muxis softened for a moment, before he scowled again. "Paladins are replaceable."

Lance covered his mouth with his hand, tears slipping down his cheeks. He shook his head, hardening the longer he faced Muxis. He dropped his hand to his side, curling both hands into tight, shaking fists.

"What the fuck did you just say?" He snarled, glaring up at the man in front of him.

Muxis seemed to deflate a bit, realising that he had gone too far a split second too late. 

"Lance, I-"

Lance didn't let Muxis speak, throwing his fist into the taller man's face as hard as he physically could, his other hand following it up with a hit to the stomach. Muxis stumbled few steps back, hand moving to cover the place where Lance had hit him, blood leaking from an already swelling lip. 

Lance breathed heavily, chest heaving and tear tracks tracing paths over his face. No more tears were falling though - all his emotions had been replaced by anger the moment Muxis has said those words.

"Lance, son--"

"Shut up." He rasped, averting his gaze from the Galra. His hands hurt, and he knew he hadn't thrown his punches properly.

"Lance, please--"

"SHUT UP!" Lance yelled, the roar of his lion sounding moments later as she too felt his pain and anguish.

Muxis looked up in fear at the sound, eyes widening as dust fell from the ceiling, the whole base rumbling.

Lance took a deep breath, and another, forcing himself to look Muxis in the eye.