Chapter Text
“Oh man,” The worried voice came from his left, “We're lost aren't we?”
They'd planned for almost any possible scenario that could occur and yet they hadn't counted on getting lost in the castle. Lance almost facepalmed at the realisation because of course nothing was ever going to go perfectly right for him.
“We're not lost.” He tried to rectify. The group paused in their walking stopping in an empty corridor that seemed to stretch on endlessly, doors sighted from their left and from their right. He placed a hand on Hunks shoulder to try and put him at ease, coming to no avail. “Pidge knows what she's doing.” He turned his head to look at their navigator who was peering down with furrowed brows on a map of the architecture.
She let out a snort, her expression relaxing as she glanced up at the duo, “Still would have been easier on me if you'd chosen a location that was actually well known.” When Lance had discussed with them about the new mission she'd gone on a hunt to find whatever information she could about The Red Castle. It had grated her nerves when she'd had to gather information from diary entries she found in the library and cross reference those with reports and newspapers.
Lance merely gave her a smirk in reply. He moved his arm to wrap around Hunks shoulder, leaning against the bigger man who provided no resistance. “What's life like without a challenge?”
Pidge gave him a blank look, blinking before turning her attention back to the map. “With you Lance everyday is a challenge.” She retorted.
The hand was dropped and he stood up straight, guffawing at Pidge as Hunk laughed. “I am a pleasure to work with!” He protested pointing a finger towards her.
She didn't spare him a glance and instead murmured softly, “Whatever you say.”
Lance crossed his arms over his chest - as much as he could do when wearing armour - and pouted slightly. He noticed Hunk peering around at their surroundings, eyes flickering around the castle walls. “So where's the fabled dragon?”
The Red Castle was infamous throughout the lands, known for the forgotten royal. He'd heard all about how she was locked in the castle and was guarded by a fearsome fire breathing dragon. Said dragon was what kept many warriors and knights away, even if there was a large reward money for returning the princess to the Marmorian Kingdom. Lance had been called foolish over the years but he'd like to think it was his stubbornness that worked well in his favour. He'd set sights on this mission and he was going to try to accomplish it, even if in its extremities it meant death.
“Should be sleeping.” Lance explained as he leaned against a wall, “Pidge said that the dragon was just usually active during the night.” She'd mentioned how all accounts of The Red Castle had only seen the dragon during the night, so they'd planned the mission to occur during the morning. Best to try and avoid fighting the dragon where they could.
The information seemed to calm Hunk down but it was clear to see that he was still on edge. “Right.” He noted quickly, his armour clanking as he stood up straight. “I feel a bit better now.”
Lance gave his friend a smile in reply. He was confused as to how the man had become a knight but when seeing Hunk in battle it had become clear. He fought for those who couldn't, even if he was scared himself. Lance found that admirable about Hunk, risking his life to make others better.
“Lance.” Pidge called out from the end of the corridor. Only half of her body was facing towards them. “I think I've got it.”
He didn't need to be told twice, quickly pushing off of the wall and following Pidge as she led them through the castle. The duo stayed closely behind her, weapons at the ready for anything that wanted to attack. It was almost suspicious how quiet the castle was, even if the dragon was asleep. They were bound to run into the dragon one way or another so it was now just a matter of waiting.
“I don't like this.” Hunk whispered out, his voice mingling with their footsteps that pierced through the silence of the castle. “It seems… Too easy.”
Lance understood where he was coming from, his suspicions also up. “We might have just gotten lucky.” He offered to his friend, shrugging at the pointed look he got.
“Right,” He spoke sarcastically, huffing at Lance. “Because we're the lucky ones.” Their missions may have been successful but they were by no means done well. Most often they'd just barely done it to completion, and never unscathed.
Lance rolled his eyes at the statement. Hunk may be right but he wasn't going to admit it to his friend, “We’ll get the princess and then leave.” He stretched his hands out towards Hunk in offering, “That sound good to you?”
Hunk eyed the hand suspiciously and then moved his gaze to Lances face, full of comfort and reassurance. He gave a sigh as he clasped the hand, taking the gesture. “Sounds good.” Lance gave a grin in reply and moved his hand away. “But it seemed to me that you're just here for the princess.” He teased his friend, trying to dissipate the tension he felt.
Lance gasped loudly, his head snapping towards Hunk.
“More like he wanted to play the knight in shining armour.” Pidge joined in. She appeared to be trying to conceal her laughter, her eyes downcast onto the map in her hands. Lance could make out the crooked grin on her face that let a few snickers slip out.
Lance felt his cheeks tinge red with embarrassment. He pointed a finger at Pidge even if she couldn't see the gesture. “I am a knight in shining armour!” He protested out. He patted the sheathed sword that rested on his waist just for good measure; almost trying to prove his point.
His friends gave out laughs in replies, shoulders shaking slightly. Pidge turned a corner and soon the group came face to face with a door. She glanced at the map and then back up, folding the paper and slipping it into her satchel. She placed her hands on the door, looking to Lance for confirmation. She received a nod in reply. Taking a deep breath she pushed it open, seeing cobble steps that ascended up.
“I'll lead.” Lance spoke as he stepped in front of her. He was in charge of the group and so it was his responsibility to make sure that all party members were safe from harm. This meant he had to be first in unexplored territory, leading his team through. Hunk and Pidge followed after him with no protests, the trio ascending up floors in a circular motion.
“How high,” Hunk huffed out, his hands resting against his knees as he hunched over to catch his breath, “Is this tower?” Lance peered down at the edge of the stairs, looking at his tired friend from above. Pidge paused to turn around, her cloak shifting with her movements.
“You ok there big guy?” He asked in concern, waiting for Hunk to be in top form. His friend took more breaths, the group silent for awhile.
“Just,” He wheezed out, moving to sit down instead, “Just need a minute,”
“Take all the time you need.” He offered to which Hunk gratefully took, trying to calm his breathing. They didn't advanced further and Lance moved down, the trio now just sitting on the steps and waiting for Hunk.
Hunk gave a thumbs up when he was feeling better, signaling to them that they could move on now. They pushed themselves up and soon the group were back on track; ascending further and reaching closer to their goal.
Lance thought of how the princess would feel to be rescued. She might feel grateful that she no longer had to hide away or cower in fear. She would probably try to get out of here as quick as possible, which Lance could understand, and return to her parents. Lance would just be happy to be a part of that. He and his friends would get the reward and she'd be back home. It was a win-win scenario.
He wouldn't admit it to anyone but he was hoping for the princess to see him as his hero. It was pathetic and he knew that, but the idea of a princess falling for him seemed too great. He was keeping his hopes small because that would never happen, but a man could dream.
Through his wistful thinking he hadn't noticed that they'd reached the top, coming face to face with another door. He turned his head to face his friends, eyes darting towards the door. They nodded quickly, Hunk ready for battle just in case anything went wrong.
Lance pushed open the doors and was surprised with the room that was before him. He'd been expecting it to be filled with luxury and yet it seemed bare, only tidbits of possessions sprinkled around the room. He supposed that it wasn't really a fancy castle and the princes was held captive, luxury wasn't needed in this case.
His eyes darted towards a head of hair that poked through from underneath the bed cover, the figure resting on the far end of the room with their back towards them. It must be the princess! Lance approached her cautiously stopping short in front of the bed. He placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her to try and wake her up. She didn't stir.
He turned towards his group, Pidge waving at him to continue. He glanced to the princess's face and took in her features; skin that was far fairer than his but slightly more tanned than Pidges, short unruly raven hair, and small peach lips. He couldn't see her eyes but he was trying to imagine what colour they were - blue seemed to suit.
He shaked her again and recivied no indication that she would wake. This time, however, the bed cover dropped slightly and reached to her waist. Lance took in her clothing, shocked to see that she didn't wear a dress but rather pants. Wait. His eyes flickered around the body, this time focusing properly on the figures features.
He reached a conclusion and shouted out with no filter on his thought, “You're not a princess!”