History Fanfic / GhostOfYouMildCookie44

* AppearanceAngst: Lance suffered this due to the Altean marks left on his face which had unintended consequences as a sour reminder of his relationship with Allura. Most telling when he wakes up in the new timeline without them. His main reaction is sheer relief and [[spoiler: his reaction when he first is reunited with Shiro in his dreams is disappointment that he has them.]]

** Pidge and Hunk. Hunk has already figured something is up with Lance but has come to the wrong conclusion with Lance being a "bodysnatcher". Not to mention Pidge, who has already got several hints that things have already occurred and [[spoiler: that Lance has a crush on Keith and trying to get over it.]]

* EveryoneCanSeeIt: While in the original timeline, Keith was a lot more subtler when he was younger. As they got older Keith began to be less obvious and more explicit with his affections. Unfortunately, due [[BrokenBird Lance's]] many issues, which Keith understands and is willing to be patient for. In the new timeline, it has become almost an inside joke with the other paladins on Keith's crush on Lance which everyone can see BUT Lance. [[spoiler: Even when Lance finally accepted his own feelings towards Keith he refuses to act upon them.]]

* TooUnhappyToBeHungry: [[spoiler: Lance since Shiro's coma has only been eating one meal a day. He feels nauseous if he eats any more. ]]

** Chapter 26 is not one that is a surprise to the reader but marks a turning point as an Internal Reveal.

** '''Chapter 13:''' Lance is on a planet [[spoiler: where everyone remembers the original timeline and Lance as the Red Paladin and he meets the person responsible for the new timeline and the events of the story . [[MrExposition Clotho]]. Coran's old friend previously mentioned as why Coran recognised that Lance had time travelled. Lance finds them somewhat familiar and asks [[HaveWeMet have they met]] and they had at Nepenthe Festival where they shared a chance encounter and [[BirdsOfAFeather connected with Lance over their shared grief]] and decided to give Lance a second chance. Clotho reveals that time travel is against the laws of the universe having major consequences. The first time they did so, their loved one forgot about them. Clotho made sure that Voltron's enemies like Haggar, Zarkon, Lotor and the Druids wouldn't recall and while Sendak escaped through the cracks, Clotho knew Lance could handle him. Clotho also tells Lance that his friends due to their association with him and Allura are capable of remembering the past timeline but it's hard to say for certain if they can. Additionally, Clotho organised the meeting between them and that the Baku was already taken care of. Lance tells Clotho about DyingDream with the Shiro of his original timeline which even they DidntSeeThatComing. Lance gets some much-needed assistance fixing Blue with Osculs and finally contacts the rest of his team.]]

* AngerBornOfWorry: [[spoiler: Hunk towards Lance. Hunk snapped at Lance after he tried to console Hunk after Shay got injured despite being injured the most. As one of his oldest friends, it frustrates Hunk seeing Lance getting hurt so often in the new timeline and act like its nothing.]] Veronica is also this to Lance.

* BigWhat: [[spoiler: The Blue Lion's discovery is essentially this when Lance revealed he died in the original timeline at the Omega Shield and was revived by Allura.]]
* BirdsOfAFeather: Lance connects a lot more with Shiro and while Lance has not made his issues explicit. It is implied Shiro has been able to pick some out due to Lance giving out advice when he can't sleep and other insights. ** Lance is also this [[spoiler: with Clotho who saw themself in Lance and his grief and reverting time to help him.]]

* CannotSpitItOut: In several different ways. For Keith [[spoiler: it is a {{Justified}} trope in the original timeline concerning Lance's mental well-being and prior issues with relationships Lance discussed with Keith he didn't feel ready at the time to pursue and another one paired with Lance's SelectiveObliviousness to Keith's attempts of dating with him in the first place. In the new timeline it's less so and more to do with bad timing and Lance's SelectiveObliviousness yet again, despite [[EveryoneCanSeeIt how obvious Keith is]], even Lance himself, but who chooses ignores it and Lance's tunnel vision on other matters and ]] events.
** On a nonromantic example. Lance also has a hard time admitting about the original timeline to non-time travellers. Even [[spoiler: with [[SecretKeeper Coran]] Lance finds a hard time admitting to due to the headaches he gets whenever it is brought up. Lance usually keeps events about the timeline vague, in part because Lance has instinctual feelings that the team is not ready to cope with the information and the universe is conspiring against him telling others. Case in point with the situation with Shiro, just before Lance was about to admit the situation. Shiro walked in. [[AmbiguousSituation Still it is not clear if it is Lance's doubts or the universe genuinely taking action.]] Though considering what Clotho has told Lance it is probably the later. ]]

* DidntSeeThatComing: Lance didn't predict that Shiro would prematurely get married to Adam. Considering the prior timeline they were only engaged and broke off before Shiro went to Kerberos. What's more Lance gave no hint or indication of this to Shiro or Adam. Additionally the fact that [[spoiler: Shiro from the original timeline interacting with Lance in a dream is this to [[TimeMaster Clotho]] and the implication Lance got from Shiro was that if Lance were to have another near-death experience he could possibly interact and reunite with the rest of his friends from his original timeline.]]

-->'''Lance:'''“I’m glad you find me being miserable to be such a laughing matter.”

* SpottingTheThread: Lance knows this is inevitable but he is still worried that the other Paladins will catch onto the whole time travel especially after he learns [[spoiler: it's not just him who has done so and some of them won't shut up about it.]] It's only a matter of time before they do. If the other Paladins even catch onto the fact time travel is involved like Pidge after the Space Mall after Varkon's words about trying to catch the Paladins again.

** '''Chapter 7''': A few moments. [[spoiler: It is revealed Lance's father [[DissaperedDad is dead]] and Keith apologises for his PartingWordsRegret to Lance. After dealing with the Gladiator and Robobeast Lance is torn with the upcoming attack with [[TheDragon Sendak]] and the [[ButerflyEffectOfDoom consequences of either letting him or die]]. When Lance leaves he encounters Coran who reveals he is a SecretSecretKeeper and figured out Lance was a time traveller thanks to an old friend of his. [[HopeSpot This makes it easier for Lance to convince Coran to leave with him before the explosion but just as he does so]].]] [[spoiler: [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom Shiro walks in.]] Who Lance without hesitation saves and suffers worse injuries as a result. Lance has a [[AdventuresInComaland dream where he meets the Shiro from his original timeline]]. When waking up again and meeting [[TheDragon Sendak ]] face to face he learns that [[RippleEffectProofMemory Sendak remembers the original timeline]] and the time Lance [[OhCrap shot him]]. Before he is about to kill Lance, [[BigDamnHeroes Keith intervenes]]. Lance still exhausted and in a worse state than before [[HeroicSecondWind grabs his bayard and prepares to kill Sendak]]. He aims, thinking about his original timeline and what the original timeline Shiro told him about doing the right thing. Despite his hesitations, Lance realises Sendak is too dangerous to be left alive, fires his gun[[BoomHeadshot killing Sendak,]] still has his [[InSpiteOfANail bonding moment with Keith]] and passes out]].

* BirdsOfAFeather: Lance connects a lot more with Shiro and while Lance has not made his issues explicit. It is implied Shiro has been able to pick some out due to Lance giving out advice when he can't sleep and other insights. **Lance is also this [[spoiler: with Clotho who saw themself in Lance and his grief and reverting time to help him.]]

--->'''Pidge:''' “Tan skin and blue eyes,”
--->'''Lance:''' “Allura?”

TotalPartyKill: Kolivan learns several of his squads perished completely in the Atalockian quadrant trying to learn about Operation Tenyo.

* DyingDream: [[spoiler: How Lance reunited with Shiro from his original timeline is on the brink of death after an explosion. Shiro ]] also says that [[spoiler: Lance can possibly for a brief time reunite from his old friends from the original timeline this way. When Lance recovers he discovers his injuries were a lot worse than originally with his breathing even stopped at one point.]]

* EveryoneCanSeeIt: While in the original timeline, Keith was a lot more subtler when he was younger. As they got older Keith began to be less obvious and more explicit with his affections. Unfortunately, due [[BrokenBird Lance's]] many issues, which Keith understands and is willing to be patient for. In the new timeline, it has become almost an inside joke with the other paladins on Keith's crush on Lance which everyone can see BUT Lance.

* OddFriendship: [[spoiler: Lance and Kolivan. Both connect in particular over remembering the previous timeline and in dedicating in trying to change things for the better in the universe. It's also telling when [[TheStoic Kolivan]] is telling Lance to remain positive about matters. They also work smoothly and efficiently together in Alpha Zarys. ]] This friendship is even noted by Pidge InUniverse

* SecretKeeper: [[spoiler: Coran]] might not remember the events of canon but he catches on incredibly quickly that Lance does due to his past friendship with [[spoiler: Clotho.]] It causes a bit of tension later on.

* StepfordSmiler: Lance to an extent while he does have his fun moments the underlying weight of his implied depression and self-doubts is only at the surface. [[spoiler: It's become a problem for Lance as Hunk frustration with Lance after getting hurt nearly all the time is seemingly without a care, unbeknownst of the Lance's inner turmoil. ]]

* CerebusRetcon: The fic provides despite from Lance's perspective and [[ButtMonkey his treatment during the show]] is reviewed and how it took a major impact on Lance's pysche and wellbeing.

* DreamingOfTimesGoneBy: Considering the story is a time travel fic. This is hinted to be the case with the other Paladins who while don't recall the events of canon, they do have a lot of instinctual feelings and emotions connecting with them. It comes up, especially near the end of the story's equivalent of Season 2 with [[spoiler: Shiro having nightmares about Adam dying in a Galran invasion on Earth and Allura changing plans to ensure the team is kept together due to an upcoming attack she had nightmares over.]]

* ExcessiveMourning: Lance is most annoyed over this as he wishes to move on from his grief but can't. Keith discusses how complicated it can be. [[spoiler: {{Subverted}} when it is revealed Lance's issues are a lot more complicated than just Allura's death. Allura's death being implied the catalyst for everything Lance was already struggling with to breakdown. ]]

* HisOwnWorstEnemy: Lance.

* MeaningfulRename: While it is not their original name as they have had hundred of aliases. [[spoiler: Clotho is the person turned back time in the first place. Clotho is also the name of one of the [[ClassicalMythology Greek Morai/ Fates.]] Clotho in particular was the Morai who span the thread of life and who allocated major decisions, controlling life and death. Much like how the Clotho in this fic can control time and who can and can't remember events to an extent. ]]

* ProperlyParanoid: Lance has become this at times much to the other paladins' concerns. However, considering Lance recalls critical events from the original timeline, he has all the reason to be paranoid. This example is prominent during when the Castle was malfunctioning and Lance tried to keep everyone together and prevent Keith from practising with the training exercise or Hunk going to the kitchen. They chide him for thinking of the worst-case scenario, unbeknownst that those were the original timeline events and Lance was being realistic.

** [[FlowerMotifs '''Flowers''':]] In particular, the flowers planted around New Altea and Earth in the original timeline represent the truth behind Lance's relationship with both Allura and Keith. [[spoiler: With Juniberry flowers heavily associated with [[RomanticFalseLead Allura ]] and to an extent, represent Lance's relationship with Allura by how Lance views Juniberries. They are established to be an invasive species and the small batch Lance initially grew surrounded the entire field, much like how Allura's death still affects Lance's life. Lance is shown to hate them but also can't get of them due to their association with Allura. Lance thinks about putting one in a pot or crushing it and instinctively crushing it. ]]

* SureLetsGoWithThat: {{Justified|Trope}}. When originally [[spoiler: confronting Lance it was hinted Keith had [[LoveConfession other motivations for talking to him]] and understandably Lance brought up the suggestion that Keith believes Zarkon might be tracking them through him considering Keith drastic actions in the original timeline. Keith pursues that train of thought instead since it was another thing one his mind.]]

--> ''' Osculs''', ''An Unilu on Zestrora'': “You’re Lance, [[spoiler: the Red Paladin of Voltron, right?”]]

* YouAreNotReady: The main reason why Lance keeps the truth about the future a secret. Lance does want to tell his friends about the future but he instinctively knows that telling them too early is a BAD idea.
* YouCantFightFate: [[spoiler: While Lance is able to change things he still can't prevent events like the Lion Swap from occurring and becoming the Red Paladin.]]
* YouCantGoHomeAgain: Getting back to the old timeline is a long shot now along with the people Lance came to knew are gone.[[spoiler: Yet the Original Timeline Shiro implies there are ways for him and Lance's friends from the original timeline to reunite for a brief bit. Lance just has to be near death and unconscious to do so. ]]

* AffectionateNickname: Shiro often calls Lance "kiddo." [[spoiler: Comes up especially in tough situations and when Shiro is trying to comfort him.]]

* AltarTheSpeed: Shiro does this much to Lance's surprise who hasn't said or done anything to suggest anything about Adam's fate to him. It establishes firmly how while the other Paladins don't remember they have strong feelings and instincts about upcoming, with Shiro hurrying the wedding due to the upcoming Kerberos Mission.
* AmbiguousSituation: Lance in telling the others about the original timeline is this. There are times when Lance wants to tell his friends about it but doesn't due to Lance perceiving the universe is hinting to Lance not to do so. [[spoiler: For instance when [[SecretKeeper Coran ]] who figured out Lance was a time traveller and suspected something was going to happen to one of their team members Coran tries to encourage Lance to tell him who it was. Lance hesitated and was about to until Shiro walked in. Which Lance understandably doesn't want to discuss his possible death in front. ]] It's unknown whether it is really is the universe or Lance's hesitation.
* AmusingInjuries: Lance in the new timeline has sustained a lot more injuries compared the the original timeline. To list only a few. Lance hit his head in the simulator, tripped several times on the way to rescue Shiro, nearly fell off Keith's speeder several times, still getting electrocuted by Pidge's bayard despite trying not to and sustaining worse injuries in the explosion needing an entire week to recuperate. To name a few. [[spoiler: These get less amusing when you consider, as Clotho puts it, is punishment from the universe for Lance changing things. Such as befriending Keith a lot earlier for instance. Lance isn't the only one victim to this. Kolivan notes that both Antok and Ulaz who died in the original timeline and who are currently still alive, have gotten more injuries when out on missions with the Blades.]]
* AngerBornOfWorry: [[spoiler: Hunk towards Lance in particular snapped at Lance after he tried to console Hunk after Shay got injured despite being injured the most. As one of his oldest friends it frustrates Hunk seeing Lance getting hurt so often in the new timeline and act like its nothing.]] Veronica is also this to Lance.
* AppearanceAngst: Lance suffered this due to the Altean marks left on his face which had unintended consequences as a sour reminder of his relationship with Allura. Most telling when he wakes up in the new timeline without them. His main reaction is sheer relief.
* AwesomeByAnalysis: [[spoiler: Veronica, fittingly who is an analyst for a living ]] is the main person to verbalise and express [[spoiler: Lance's true emotional state realising it was not just Allura's death and their relationship that reduced Lance to what he was at the start of the fic. Rather other factors contributed to it,]]

* BirdsOfAFeather: Lance connects a lot more with Shiro and while Lance has not made his issues explicit. It is implied Shiro has been able to pick some out due to Lance giving out advice when he can't sleep and other insights. Lance is also this [[spoiler: with Clotho who saw themself in Lance and his grief and reverting time to help him.]]
* BlessedWithSuck: Lance with his Altean Marks given to him by Allura. Which Lance hates and is not sad to see them go when he discovers he has time travelled.

* ButterflyOfDoom: Lance even has a dream that pushes his worries about this trope. Lance is constantly aware of this and when he does try to make changes to the timeline does minor ones to his team's advantage. [[spoiler: It was why he has an internal battle over killing Sendak. It doesn't help that the universe punishes Lance with amassing injuries for these changes either and when discussing with Kolivan. Lance urges caution when making changes that could potentially make the situation worse and of the consequences, the universe may dole out on them. Both Lance and Kolivan are willing to risk it to save people and the wider universe but both acknowledge this dilemma.]]

* CannotSpitItOut: In several different ways. For Keith [[spoiler: it is a {{Justified}} trope in the original timeline concerning Lance's mental well-being and prior issues with relationships Lance discussed with Keith he didn't feel ready at the time to pursue and another one paired with Lance's SelectiveObliviousness to Keith's attempts of dating with him in the first place. In the new timeline it's less so and more to do with bad timing and Lance's SelectiveObliviousness yet again, despite [[EveryoneCanSeeIt how obvious Keith is]], even Lance himself, but who chooses ignores it and Lance's tunnel vision on other matters and ]] events. Lance also has a hard time admitting about the original timeline to non-time travellers. Even [[spoiler: with [[SecretKeeper Coran]] Lance finds a hard time admitting to due to the headaches he gets whenever it is brought up. Lance usually keeps events about the timeline vague, in part because Lance has instinctual feelings that the team is not ready to cope with the information and the universe is conspiring against him telling others. Case in point with the situation with Shiro, just before Lance was about to admit the situation. Shiro walked in. [[AmbiguousSituation Still it is not clear if it is Lance's doubts or the universe genuinely taking action.]] Though considering what Clotho has told Lance it is probably the later. ]]

* CoolBigSis: Veronica despite only currently showing in flashbacks.

* DidntSeeThatComing: Lance didn't predict that Shiro would prematurely get married to Adam. Considering the prior timeline they were only engaged and broke off before Shiro went to Kerberos. Additionally the fact that [[spoiler: Shiro from the original timeline interacting with Lance in a dream is this to [[TimeMaster Clotho]] and the implication Lance got from Shiro was that if Lance were to have another near-death experience he could possibly interact and reunite with the rest of his friends from his original timeline.]]
* DidYouThinkICantFeel: Lance is a major subject of this to an extent and the fic explores it. In the original timeline the PrankGoneTooFar at his party in which Lance suspected was to get a rise or make him angry. But Lance is also on the receiving end of this from [[spoiler: Hunk who is frustrated with seeing Lance getting hurt all the time and seemingly cope with ease.]]

* DisappearedDad: Lance's father in this fic died when he was nine. Keith's also died when he was young. Allura's father Alfor died in the war and Pidge's dad Sam is still currently missing.

* LipstickLesbian: Veronica.

* LoveTranscendsSpacetime: In both romantic and platonic senses. It's heavily implied the current Keith's feelings for Lance have also been derived from his older original timeline self along with the improved relationship in the current timeline. For Shiro, there was an unexpected urgency to rush his wedding with Adam. The paladins' friendships have also remained intact and at times, resemble old dynamics in the prior timeline. [[spoiler: It's {{Averted}} with Lance and Allura but it was already implied the romantic relationship between them was doomed to fail.]] In the friendship sense, it applies.

* MeaningfulRename: While it is not their original name as they had hundred of aliases. [[spoiler: Clotho is the person turned back time in the first place. Clotho is also the name of one of the [[ClassicalMythology Greek Morai/ Fates.]] Clotho in particular was the Morai who span the thread of life and who allocated major decisions, controlling life and death. Much like how the Clotho in this fic can control time and who can and can't remember events to an extent. ]]

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Lance's comments to Keith when he returns from the Trials of Mamora to reassure him are this for Keith.

* BlessedWithSuck: Lance with his Altean Marks given to him by Allura. Which Lance hates and is not sad to see them go.

* ButterflyOfDoom: Lance even has a dream that pushes his worries about this trope. Lance is constantly aware of this and when he does try to make changes to the timeline does minor ones to his team's advantage. [[spoiler: It was why he has an internal battle over killing Sendak. It doesn't help that the universe punishes Lance with amassing injuries for these changes either and when discussing with Kolivan. Lance urges caution when making changes that could potentially make the situation worse and of the consequences the universe may dole out on them. Both Lance and Kolivan are willing to risk it to save people and the wider universe but both acknowledge this dilemma.]]

* CannotSpitItOut: In several different ways. For Keith [[spoiler: it is a {{Justified}} trope in the original timeline concerning Lance's mental well-being and prior issues with relationships Lance discussed with Keith he didn't feel ready at the time to pursue another one paired with Lance's SelectiveObliviousness to Keith's attempts of dating with him in the first place. In the new timeline it's less so and more to do with bad timing. Lance's SelectiveObliviousness yet again, despite [[EveryoneCanSeeIt how obvious Keith is]] and Lance's tunnel vision on other matters and ]] events. Lance also has a hard time admitting about the original timeline to non-time travellers. Even [[spoiler: with [[SecretKeeper Coran]] Lance finds a hard time admitting to due to the headaches he gets whenever it is brought up. Lance usually keeps events about the timeline vague, in part because Lance has instinctual feelings that the team is not ready to cope with the information and the universe is conspiring against him telling others. Case in point with the situation with Shiro, just before Lance was about to admit the situation. Shiro walked in. [[AmbiguousSituation Still it is not clear if it is Lance's doubts or the universe genuinely taking action.]] Though considering what Clotho has told Lance it is probably the later. ]]

* OddFriendship: [[spoiler: Lance and Kolivan. Both connect in particular over remembering the previous timeline and in dedicating in trying to change things for the better in the universe. It's also telling when [[TheStoic Kolivan]] is telling Lance to remain positive about matters. They also work smoothly and efficiently together in Alpha Zarys. ]]

** Additionally, every year the other paladins will bring flowers to New Altea and see if it will create a batch of its own [[spoiler: and can stand against the Juniberries. The flower that does and Lance finds soothing and peace with is [[FlowersOfRomance Verbena bonariensis]], a flower with five petals that almost look like hearts and is purple. Fittingly [[PatientChildhoodLoveInterest Keith ]] planted it and mentioned that they represent healing, protection and romance and hints heavily he planted it for Lance. The Verbena Bonariensis also seem to overtake the Juniberries in the hundreds in under two years and they are also on the legs of a new bench Lance frequents to, a bench heavily implied to be Keith's doing.]]

* SecretKeeper: [[spoiler: Coran]] might not remember the events of canon but he catches on incredibly quickly that Lance does due to his past friendship with [[spoiler: Clotho.]]

** '''Chapter 7''': A few moments. [[spoiler: It is revealed Lance's father [[DissaperedDad is dead]] and Keith apologises for his PartingWordsRegret to Lance. After dealing with the Gladiator and Robobeast Lance is torn with the upcoming attack with [[TheDragon Sendak]] and the [[ButerflyEffectOfDoom consequences of either letting him or die]]. When Lance leaves he encounters Coran who reveals he is a SecretSecretKeeper and figured out Lance was a time traveller thanks to an old friend of his. [[HopeSpot This makes it easier for Lance to convince Coran to leave with him before the explosion but just as he does so]].]]
** [[spoiler: [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom Shiro walks in.]] Who Lance without hesitation saves and suffers worse injuries as a result. Lance has a [[AdventuresInComaland dream where he meets the Shiro from his original timeline]]. When waking up again and meeting [[TheDragon Sendak ]] face to face he learns that [[RippleEffectProofMemory Sendak remembers the original timeline]] and the time Lance [[OhCrap shot him]]. Before he is about to kill Lance, [[BigDamnHeroes Keith intervenes]]. Lance still exhausted and in a worse state than before [[HeroicSecondWind grabs his bayard and prepares to kill Sendak]]. He aims thinking about his original timeline and what the original timeline Shiro told him about doing the right thing. Despite his hesitations, Lance realises Sendak is too dangerous to be left alive, fires his gun[[BoomHeadshot killing Sendak,]] still has his [[InSpiteOfANail bonding moment with Keith]] and passes out]].

** End of Season One has this [[spoiler: which signals the start of major changes being made to the timeline with Lance decidedly not being involved with the mermaid planet.]]

--> '''Keith:''' Whenever you’re ready, whether it be a year from now or ten more,”
//''[ Keith said, moving a piece of hair out of Lance’s face. ]''\\