Chapter Text
Neither of them would of dreamed it would end up this way. But in reality, who would? Who would dream that the one they love would fall for someone else? Who would dream that their best friend would pack up and leave with barely a goodbye? Who would dream that the person they were suppose to spend the rest of their lives with would leave in the middle of the night? Who would dream of being a single father to a baby whose mother left without looking back?
That’s right. No one in their right mind would dream of these things, for these things belonged to nightmares.
Lance pulled his car to a stop, tires crunching the gravel in front of the house. Sleep pulled at his eyelids as he lend his head against the steering wheel. God. It had been a long month. He stayed like that until a quiet whimper came from the back seat. Lance smiled softly as he turned back to look at the baby. Pike grinned up at Lance and clumsily waved his arms at Lance.
“All right buddy. Let’s go see Abuela.” Lance spoke softly as he unbuckled himself and got out of the car. Pulling the car seat out of the back of the car, he glanced up at the house he once called home. His shoes kicked the gravel as he walked to the door. Voices drifted from inside, but suddenly stopped when he knocked.
“Lance is here!” A young female’s voice scream. The voices grew louder as footsteps raced towards the door.
“Cuidado con el bebé.” Lance heard his mom yell as the door was thrown open by his younger siblings. Lance braced himself to be tackled, but it never came. He looked up at his siblings to see them bouncing in place, trying to hold themselves back. Lance careful set the car seat down and took a few steps forwards before opening his arms. Seeing the invitation, Lance’s young sister and brother jumped at him, crushing him in a hug.
“I’m so glad you’re home,” Maria stated as she hid her face in his stomach. Maria was the youngest, being at the age 12. Lance ran his fingers through her black hair as he patted Liam’s shoulder. Liam was the second youngest at the ripe age of 16. A sharp voice called out from the door.
“Where’s the little one?” Lance looked up to see Rose, his older sister, standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. Lance let go of Liam and Maria to go back to Pike. Carefully carrying the carseat up the steps, Lance turned it around to show Rose her nephew. “Oh, isn’t he just the cutest!” She cooed down at the baby. “How old now?”
“Just a little over a year..” Lance sighed as Rose stepped to the side to let him in. Lance followed the crowd of people back into the living room, where he was embraced by his mother.
“Mijo, I am so sorry.” His mother whispered as he leaned on her. For the first time in months, Lance let the tears form in his eyes as he leaned back.
“Mama,” He said as he put the carseat down. “I want you to officially meet Pike.” Lance unbuckled the infant and cradled him to his chest. His mother’s eyes lit up as he stepped closer with the baby. Pike lifted his head and looked at the people around him before tucking his head back into Lance’s chest, clutching his shirt in the process. Lance’s mom worried her brow as Lance heaved a low sigh. “Sorry. It takes him sometime to warm up to new people.” Lance bounced Pike as he tried to get him to remove his head from Lance’s chest. Pike shook his head as Lance carded his fingers through his short, brown hair.
“Never mind, Mijo. Take a seat. Get comfortable.” His mom gestured towards the worn out sofa with a soft smile.
“I would love to Mama, but I still have to get the house organized and I would like to see Pidge and Hunk before too long.”
“Oh, come on Lance.” Liam whined as he flopped over the back of the sofa.
“Just for a little bit?” Maria asked as she pulled on his sleeve.
“I guess I can stay for a little. But no longer than 30 minutes!” Lance yelped as Maria pushed him down into one of the lazyboys. Carefully, Lance removed Pike from his chest and turned him around in his lap. Pike’s dark eyes scanned the room as Lance’s family moved around. Pike looked at Lance’s mom, causing her to sigh.
“He’s almost an exact copy of you.” She smiled at the baby before going to the kitchen. “Mijo. Hunk left his phone number here if you want to call him.” She called back as she started to cook dinner.
“Thanks Mama.” Lance called back as he bounced Pike lightly. Maria moved in front of Lance and sat on the floor. She reached out to touch Pike, but he jerked back. Maria apologized sheepishly. “It’s not your fault. Pike just is not use to you yet. He’ll get there soon.” Lance brushed Pike’s hair back as Rose came around to look once more.
“How could someone just up and leave this sweet thing? Some people I’ll never understand.” She hissed with a sad voice. Lance’s smile fell as he pulled Pike back towards him.
“She said it was too much. That should couldn’t handle it.” He whispered as he felt his eyes begin to sting from tears. He wasn’t sad about her leaving anymore. He was upset about of how it was going to affect Pike as he grew. “Anyway!” Lance pushed a smile onto his face. “I’m going to call Hunk to see if he would like to go to the diner for dinner.” He placed Pike down on the floor and bent to look Pike in the eyes. He motioned his hands downwards before smiling at the child. Pike made a gurgle laughing sound as he rocked back and forth on the floor. Lance stood up with his knees popping as he walked into the kitchen. “Mama, where is Hunk’s phone number?” Lance’s mom was stirring meat on the stove, the smell making Lance’s mouth water.
“On the board.” She motioned with the spoon. A wave of sadness passed through Lance as his thoughts returned to Pike. He picked up the number and walked outside. Pulling out his cell, he dialed the number and listened to the tone beep before a familiar voice answer.
“This is Hunk. How may I help you?” Lance giggled slightly.
“How about dinner Hunky Bear?” Lance heard a gasp and crash echo over the phone.
“Lance?” Hunk’s voice broke as if he was about to cry.
“Does someone else call you that? On second thought, I don’t want to know. Anyway! Dinner?” Lance smiled as old memories returned to him.
“Yeah. The diner right?”
“That’s right. Can you-”
“Invite Pidge? Already on it.” Hunk finished Lance’s thought, causing him to laugh.
“Thanks buddy. See you in a few. I want you to meet someone. Bye!” Lance hung up before Hunk could question him. Lance placed the number back on the cork board. Kissing his mom on the cheek as he passed, Lance returned to the living room. He paused for a moment as he watched Pike grab onto the coffee table to pull himself up. Lance’s siblings were watching, but kept their distance. Slowly, in order to not knock the boy over, Lance made his way around the table before waving at Pike. Lance clapped his hands once before opening them towards Pike. Pike flashed a grin as he stumbled over to his father. Lance swinged him up and onto his hip and then into the carseat. Lance bidded his family goodbye as he placed Pike in the back of the car. Lance once again watched as his childhood home faded from view.
Following the road back into town, Lance soon stopped at an old diner. The diner was 50’s styled and looked as if it had been around since the 1950’s. The red paint had faded to pink and the white was tan from all of the dust. Lance had spent most of his high school years here with his friends. They would often gather here, eat fries and burgers, and just chat. He even took Nyma here for their first date. That memory struck a sour chord with Lance, so he forced the door open. Lance unbuckled Pike instead of taking the bulky carseat into the diner. Placing Pike on his hip, Lance waltz into the diner. Hunk was seated in their usual spot in the far back corner. Lance smiled as he locked eyes with Hunk. Hunk went to jump at Lance until he noticed the small body placed on Lance’s hip. Hunk eyes widen as he sat back down.
“Dude,” was all Hunk said as Lance pulled a highchair over and sat Pike down.
“I know. Handsome little fella ain’t he?” Lance pulled a shy grin as Hunk looked at Pike. Pike’s wide eyes tracked Hunk’s every move and Lance silently prayed he wouldn’t have to apologize to another person for Pike. After a full moment of staring, both Hunk and Pike decided that the other was fine and went on. Pike was still distant, but he wasn’t scared or reaching out for Lance. Lance counted that as a win.
“What’s his name?” Hunk asked softly, as if not to upset the baby.
“Pike.” Lance said as he sat down. “You know he doesn’t bite. Well, normally.” Lance smiled as Hunk laughed. Lance placed an order for fries and a cheeseburger as Pidge scurried in.
“Sorry I’m late. Matt needed help washing the dog.” Pidge slid into the booth before looking at Lance. Lance smiled softly at them, wondering what they thought of his son. Pidge continued on ranting about the ‘overgrown beast’ that Shiro called a puppy and about how hard it was to get out of a wet binder. Lance giggled to himself. For someone so smart, they could miss the littlest of things. Hunk looked back and forth from Lance to Pidge before laughing full heartedly. Pidge stopped their rant to look at Hunk. “What?” They asked. Hunk simply pointed at Pike, still laughing. Pidge eyes landed on Pike before widening. “Alright.” They said slowly. “Who stole the baby?” Hunk continued to laugh as Pidge looked worried and scared.
“No one Pidge. He’s mine. This is Pike.” Lance smiled as Pidge looked back and forth.
“No way! You spawned another one of you?” Pidge shot up, the movement catching Pike’s eye and startling him. With a soft whimper, he reached out for Lance. Pidge cursed as they hurriedly sat back down.
“It’s okay.” Lance said as he smoothed Pike’s forehead out. “He just gets startled easily.” Lance looked at Pidge, who had fear in her eyes.
“I know the feeling little one.” Pidge looked to Lance. “Sorry. I don’t do well with babies.” Pidge seemed to shiver at the words as they settled back into their seat. Lance waved them off as the waitress brought out their food. Lance cut up the chicken breast into tiny, bite size pieces and placed them in front of Pike. As Pike started to eat, so did everyone else. They chatted and ate peacefully until Pike finished his chicken. Slapping the table, Pike caught the attention of the whole table. Lance pulled his brow down as he shook his head and brought his fingers to his thumb. Pike stopped and looked confused for about a minute. Slowly, Pike brought his hand up to his mouth, repeating the action until Lance spooned some mashed potatoes onto his plate. The table remained silent as Lance refused to meet their eyes. What would they think? Would they be like Nyma? Would they leave too?
“Lance.” Hunk said slowly. Lance moved his head to look at his best friends with hurt eyes. “What was that about?” Lance looked from Hunk’s confused face to Pidge, who looked as if they were calculating a formula while staring at Pike. Sensing Lance’s gaze, Pidge looked to him with sad, knowing eye.
“Well, you see,” Lance began, “Pike is deaf. He has been since birth. We didn’t find out until he was about 4 months old. That’s why I am here. That’s why,” Lance paused and took a breathe, “That’s why Nyma left.” Silence fell over the table once again. Lance seemed to forget how to breathe until Pidge launched themself onto Lance, hugging him. Hunk walked around and pulled them both into one of his bear hugs. Lance laughed a wet laugh as he heard clapping. Looking up, Lance noticed Pike clap his hands before opening them up. Hunk and Pike looked at Pike. “He wants in on the hug.” Lance informed them as he picked up his son. Pulling him into his arms, Lance sighed as Pike snuggled into him and the warmth of the hug. Hunk slowly lowered his hand onto Pike’s back, dwarfing the small child. Pike looked up for a moment before deciding that he, like many people, enjoyed Hunk’s hugs.
As the night grew dark and Pike grew tired, the three friends made their way out of the diner.
“So what are you going to do now?” Pidge asked as they skipped ahead of Lance.
“I’m going to be living here. Allura got me a job at Altea. I just have to find a place that will take Pike with people that Pike likes.” Lance sighed as he stopped a step off of the sidewalk. Pike, who was currently dosing off, was leaned against Lance’s shoulder, his head cradled in Lance’s neck.
“I work most days at the restaurant, but I could take him when I have days off.” Hunk offered as he reached for the keys to his yellow truck. A red motorcycle pulled up on the other side of Lance’s car, unnoticed to Lance. Yet, the movement caught Pike’s eye making him turn his head. Moving slowly, Pike pulled one of his arms over Lance’s shoulder.
“I couldn’t do that to you on your days off. I’ll find some place I’m sure.” Lance bounced Pike up a little as he shifted his weight. Pidge looked behind Lance with a straight face as Hunk turned too. Before Lance could see what caught their gaze, a loud yelp filled the air. Lance turned his head quickly to see Pike’s hand embedded in long, black hair. Lance squeaked as he untangled Pike’s fingers. “Oh my god! I’m so sor-Keith?” Lance stuttered as he meet the violet eyes of the biker who Pike reached for. Keith looked up from Pike to meet Lance’s face. Slowly, color faded from his face as Keith took a step back. Keith clutched his hands and clenched his jaw. Carefully, he spat venomous words at Lance.
“You’re lucky you’re holding that baby McClain.” Keith whipped around and rushed into the diner. Lance stood frozen as Pike tapped his face before reaching in the direction Keith walked off in.