Chapter Text
The day died with wrists decorated in bruises and sore arms. With loud laughs carried into the dawning night and birth of bird caws. “No, you need to understand I was only ten!” Allura laughed between a mouth of food goo. “I decided my father was taking his sweet time in his meeting with other ambassadors and leaders.” She gave a mischievous smile. “So I grabbed my staff and sneaked out.”
She spoke of how she covered her hair as it was a sign of royalty or utmost importance. She met other children who mocked her, came across selfless elders and received sweets from doting mothers and advice from working fathers. “It was the most fun I’d had in ages.” She reminisced.
“Of course,” Coran interjected. “Once your father didn’t find you in the common room he immediately called for a search.” Allura nodded with pride, “I gave them hard time,” She handed her plate to Pidge who filled it back up. “Father was furious.” She shook off the memory.
“If I ever did that my mother might’ve given me hell.” Lance said with a shudder. Could already see the elder siblings running off, unable to save him from the hellstorm that was their mother.
Before Pidge could confirm that statement Hunk pointed up to the sky in awe. They all looked upwards to find the night shimmering in stars, some falling out of their positions and taking off into the obsidian night. “A star shower.” Keith said breathlessly. From earshot he heard Shiro tell Allura they’d get a better view from a hill not far, looking at her tenderly before taking in her hand and walking off. Keith decided he might as well follow his example.
Keith nudged at Lance’s left arm, “Hey.”
Lance didn't turn, “What do you need?” His voice somewhat impatient.
“Follow me, I need to show you something.” Keith tugged on his shirt. Lance whipped his head over, his brow arched up. “Are you going to try to kill me?”
Keith’s eyes widened, “What, wait no.” He pointed towards the forest. “I need to show you something.” Lance eyed him wearily, slowly got up and went to follow Keith.
The forest felt darker than usual, the occasional shooting star lighting the path through the canopy of trees. “After all we’ve been through it’s finally happening,”
Lance dramatically draped his hand over his face. “I’m gonna get murdered.”
Keith rolled his eyes, slowing past the bushes before smiling. Lance stopped, “Keith I don’t know what you’re thinking but as soon as you whip a knife out I’m going to scream for Hunk-” Lance stopped abruptly.
“You said you missed home,” Keith said. Lance took four steps forward, they felt loud over the soft waves that crashed into the white sand. “So I teamed up with Coran. Shiro helped also.” Keith explained.
Lance threw his shoes off, discarded his socks and walked feebly onto the sand. His eyes scanned the dark body of water that seemed to stretch for eternity.
“I couldn't see it when we landed.” Lance mumbled.
Keith tossed off his shoes. “There was too much smog interfering when we were.” He explained.
He watched Lance stare at the sea, utterly speechless. He saw the tears that threatened to fall, the quick tug of his mouth into a smile, the way his hands shook with joy. “Thank you.” he whispered.
Keith moved closer to him, grazing his hand over Lance’s before he went to grasp Keith’s. The blood in his body boiled, he could feel the unmerciful sweat bead through his head. His attention quickly drawn to the waves rolling on and off the water.
Lance’s weary eyes looked over to Keith. His hand a strong presence as the silence enveloped the space between them. The dazzling stars seemed to wink at them, the only people in this moment accompanied by the ambience of nature. Their feet sunken in the sand, hair windswept and faces flush with hearts whizzing and expectations high.
Lance tugged on Keith’s arm, “Hey.”
Keith acknowledged him, nudging his elbow into Lance’s side.
Lance grinned, “Wanna swim?”
Keith gave him a incredulous look, “It's nearly 50 degrees out here and you want to swim.”
Without answering, Lance took his hand back and began to strip off his clothing. “The night's not getting any younger Keith.” Lance shimmied out of his jeans, neatly placing it against the sand before taking off into the water.
Keith watched in disbelief as Lance collided into the waves in a heated moment of joy. Kicking and jumping and laughing in the water in a pure euphoric rage.
“Keith!” Lance pointed at him, “If you don't get your ass in here I will personally kick it in.”
With no doubt he’d carry it out, Keith reluctantly drew his clothing off.
Lance stood in the water triumphantly, laughing as Keith hissed at the freezing water. He slowly coaxed him into entering, Keith threatening several times to drown Lance if he pushed him in.
Even with the warning clear on top of his head, Lance tested his luck with a slight push. Soon his head collided with water so fast, he didn’t register the attack.
He could hear Keith snickering above the surface, clutching his sides as Lance flailed around to regain balance. Keith tried to run through the water as Lance swam after him in revenge. Diving a bit too late as Lance clutched his lower torso. Before they could break for the surface, a wave crashed into them, washing them off onto the shore.
They both coughed off water on the sand, gave each other a glance and laughed while rolling into the wet sand. Keith’s laugh dissipated, his forearm covering his eyes. He heard Lance’s arm shift against the ground, then the warm touch from his hand. His fingers grazing Keith’s with water and sand.
Lance laughed, his face in the heel of his hand. “Thank you.” he said. Keith removed his arm, slightly turning his head to face Lance. The small creases in Lance’s eyes gave way as he smiled. “I mean it.” Lance held Keith’s palm, running a thumb over his knuckles before interlacing their hands. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” He replied, shutting his eyelids as the water ran over their bodies. “I'm sorry.” His tone lowered. “For offending you and your family.” Keith slightly opened one of his eyelids to peer at Lance.
Lance took in a deep sigh, loosening his grip on Keith’s hand. “Me too, it was a dick move.”
Keith shrugged, “As far as I'm concerned, Shiro’s the only family I have around.”
He offered up a weak smile, turning his head towards the stars. “As far as I’m concerned, you guys are my family.” He whispered.
He turned back to Lance, “Good” he replied.
Lance slowly got up, shaking off the sand that stuck to his body. “If we take any longer Hunk might think we got lost.” Keith nodded as he got up, trying desperately to remove the wet sand.
They walked over to their clothes, discarded against the ground. “You think Allura will kill us if we stick around for a day or two?” Keith pulled on his pants, not so much savoring the feel of wet skin again cloth. Lance chuckled as he tugged his shirt down, “I like the way you think, but I’m not prepared to face the wrath of Allura.”
Keith shivered at the thought, could already feel the doting from Shiro to push and the stress radiating off Hunk. He frowned at the idea of Coran telling them to have hope. He wasn’t on board with Allura’s side glances and the conversations that died that moment they were spoken.
Keith looked over to Lance as he zipped his jacket up, lightly rubbing his hands together for warmth. Something in him melted, like he could spend sleepless nights tracing his hands over that deep brown skin. “Keith?” Lance’s eyes narrowed on him. Keith had forgotten about his eyes, a rich blue that resembled the oceans back home.
Then Keith finds himself engulfed in the idea of Lance, those soft hands on his chest, the endearing tone while caring for him. The calculated looks and words that made his heart skip or stop and made his breath hitch until he wanted nothing more than to hold him. “Keith” Lance stressed, he grabbed at his arm.
He snapped back to reality, his arm in Lance’s hands and confusion and unease were evident in his face. “It’s spreading.” Lance said gravely. Keith looked down and recoiled, where the makeup had covered up the previous marks sprouted forth new ones. The nails that Lance had clipped not mere hours ago, grew out longer and sharp.
“Shit.” Lance spat. Shiro’s voice rang out over the forest, calling them back. They both felt the castle rumble within the ground, signaling their departure. Lance quickly zipped down his jacket, tugged Keith into it, fitted it over his shoulders and arms. “Don’t you dare take this off.” His eyes focused on Keith’s gray, he watched his lips part as he said yes before taking his hand to walk off to the castle.
“We’ll leave in about thirty ticks” Coran said as he added in final coordinations. “I hope you all relaxed enough, because it's time to get back on schedule.” he added.
Hunk groaned, “Can't we stay down there for like, ever?” Pidge nodded, “There's so much down there I haven't had the time to study.” Pidge grumbled as Coran shook his head. “There are millions of other plants number five, you'll have you chance.”
She slugged down in her seat, pouting. “Can't have anything..”
Keith held his crossed arms closer to his chest, “Pidge, let's schedule a escape plan back.”
Pidge turned in her seat, “Already on it.”
Allura shook her head, “I would have closed all the pods and lions den by then.”
Pidge turned back around, “I would have hacked them open.”
Allura looked to Pidge, challenge lighting in her eyes. “Do you wish to test that theory?”
Pidge grinned, leaped out her seat and sped down the hallway. Allura pulled up a screen, her fingers tapping rapidly against them as she set up a protective lock. Each individual door leading to the room Pidge was headed to.
“How long will they last?” Hunk asked Coran. He twisted his mustache as he looked onto the monitor, Pidge already plugging a small device onto the door to break the locks. “Until either of them give in.” Coran responded. Allura chuckled as Pidge cursed over the comms, threatening that she’d have it cracked in thirty seconds. Coran chuckled before taking his leave to the engine room, as their departure seemed to be taking longer than expected.
“Smart money’s on Allura.” Lance said as he slumped down in his seat.
Keith got up from his seat, “I’m betting on Pidge.” Lance lazily turned his head to Keith.
“I’ll bet my share of that stew Hunk made.” Lance grinned.
“I’m game.” Keith smiled, his teeth gleaming and his canines slightly elongated.
Lance pushed himself upwards off his seat, “More for me.” He went to clasp Keith’s hand as he walked out the room. Making sure as they walked out Hunk couldn’t make out what the touch had been.
Hunk had waited till the door was slid shut and the sound of footsteps became faded. “How long do you think they’ll last?” He questioned Allura.
“How long do I think who will last?” Allura turned her head to him. “Do you mean Pidge? Because I’m going to say about five hours, I could be here for a while.” She frowned.
Hunk shook his head, “I mean Lance and Keith.” Allura raised her brow, “What about them.”
Hunk went over to the monitor Allura used, pushing the stream of Pidge to pull up a feed of Keith and Lance walking steadily down a hallway. “What seems to be the problem-” Allura said before Hunk zoomed into the stream, showing Keith’s hand holding onto Lance’s.
“They’ve been like this since the trip.” Hunk said. “I don’t know if it's to confuse us all up, or maybe they ate something rotten on the planet.” He stressed, running his hand through his hair.
Allura twirled her hair with a finger, “Maybe we should just ask them?”
The door shuddered open and Shiro stepped in, his hair weighted down with water. “Ask who what?”
Allura motioned him over to the screens, “Hunk seems worried. Should we?”
Shiro’s eyes widened as Keith seemed to smile on screen, covering his mouth as Lance laughed aloud. “That was fast.” He whistled as he slicked his hair back.
“Shiro.” Hunk said wearily. “What are you not telling us.”
Shiro only smiled, “I think we should keep on eye on them.”
Allura quickly shut off the screens, swiping them all off before dashing to the door. “They’re in the south wing.” and with that Hunk, Allura and Shiro were running.
They abruptly came to sudden stops when they could hear them a bit too close. Hunk motioned with his hand to back away slowly as Lance’s voice came closer, his eyes showing panic. They all ducked into a nearby storage room as the voice’s came closer. Shiro waited another minute until he whispered for them to move out. They slowly crept out the room, backs hunched and feet slow.
Soon they came to the kitchen and Hunk silently prayed they weren’t abusing the oven again.
But instead found the two just sharing a couple drinks, it wasn’t alcohol since they were underage and in space, but it was something. The air between them got tenser with each teasing glance, premeditated touches and noticeable baiting.
“Are they-” Hunk started.
“Flirting?” Allura finished, her hand over her mouth.
Keith hopped up onto the counter, rolled his head around with a deep sigh at the light cracks.
“What about tonight?” He said, his feet swinging slightly. Lance nodded, “I think that’s the best timing.” He gazed over to Keith, sauntering his way over before placing both his palms down on the counter on either side of Keith’s thighs. “Do we want tell everyone?” He whispered.
Keith smiled then nodded, tugging Lance’s jacket back up onto his shoulders.
Lance’s eyes traced up from Keith’s shoulder to his face, “Will you be ready?”
Shiro squinted at the conversation, Allura held her breath as she listened and was sure Hunk was on the verge of screaming.
“I’ll have to be at some time, besides it won’t hurt.”
Shiro had seen Allura enraged, ecstatic and distressed. But he’d never seen the kind of flustered she was now, she pulled Shiro back nearly hissing through her teeth.
“What kind of obscenities are they about to commit on my ship?” She shook Shiro for emphasis.
They turned back, trying to hear the whispers and soft spoken words. “I’ll make sure it won’t.” Lance said.
That had done it, Hunk promptly and silently crept away from the kitchen doors, Allura and Shiro following. As they entered the main room they found Pidge on the floor with a dismissive look.
“So it looks like I was forgotten about.” Her tone changed as she saw their faces. Terror, confusion and something mixed with anxiety and jubilation.
Pidge raised a brow at Allura, “What do you know about Keith and Lance.” She blurted out, her voice uneven. Pidge’s eyes widened, “What do you know?” She asked.
Allura’s arms flung out with her explanation, “First they were walking about all delighted.”
Hunk joined in, sitting down in his chair as he bit his nails. “Then they went to the kitchen.”
“They talked about something interesting.” Shiro added. “Something I wish we hadn’t tried to intervene in” He shuddered.
Pidge lowered her shoulders, they all gave answers she wasn’t looking for.
“Well if it lightens the mood any,” Pidge raised the same device she placed on the locked doors. “I hacked past the castle.”
Allura only huffed before accepting defeat, “It wouldn’t have been the same if I were here. You got lucky Pidge.”
Pidge only smiled to herself as she agreed to calm Allura down.
Lance watched silently as Keith changed. His eyes locked on the muscles pulling back as he moved to changed into his shirt, layering on Lance’s jacket.
They’d made sure to find where Kolivan had been hours before, Allura mentioning that he’d be on board in less than an hour.
“You don’t think they’ll probe me around like some experiment, right?” Keith nervously fumbled as he put his gloves on. “I think red might not like that.”
“I doubt it. If anything Kolivan seems patient.” Lance reassured. But he wasn’t sure himself, he wasn’t sure as they left the bedroom and wasn’t convinced that anything wouldn’t go wrong as they reached the main room. He felt worse seeing Kolivan there, even when silent he was a force to be reckoned with. Nearly six feet and seven inches tall he was basically a solid wall.
“We should reach the next planet within twelve hours, from there we’ll meet the rebels and try to assess the situation.” Allura explained, her attention turned to Lance and Keith. “You’re late.”
There was no pressure or disappointment in her voice, just acknowledgement. “Our next mission won’t be for a while.”
Lance gave a curt nod, eyeing Kolivan as he moved to the center of the room. “As soon as we find out where Zarkon’s forces are we attack with the rebels.” Kolivan informed. “If all goes well, they should be able to retake their cities.”
Pidge raised her hand up, “Since we have a bit of time, I need to say something.”
“I swear if you have some other surprise up your sleeve I’m going to throw myself out the nearest window.” Lance groaned.
Pidge threw Lance a frown before turning to Kolivan, “Keith needs help.”
Lance could’ve easily dismissed the claim, he could have laughed it off or said “who doesn’t”.
But not as Keith looked back at him with uneasy eyes, not while his body froze there with uncertainty and not while everyone’s eyes were on him. Kolivan’s ears perked upwards along with his brow. “The tests you ran on Keith to check his Galra blood, they weren’t accurate enough.”
Lance felt Keith back up as Pidge stalked over to him.
“Pidge, what are you-” Lance said. But then she pulled up the arms of the jacket and everyone gasped. And things moved too fast for Lance to register, Shiro was the first to walk over, concern lining his eyes as he handled Keith’s arm delicately.
“How long..” he said breathlessly.
“Right before landing for the trip” Keith whispered.
Shiro looked over to Lance, “Did you know?” his tone turned accusatory. Allura and Kolivan strided over before overlooking Keith. “I assume it's not just your arm.” Allura questioned.
“We should assess this now.” Kolivan told Keith to follow him. Keith turned to Lance, his tone hushed but angry. “Why would you tell Pidge?” Keith's grey-purple eyes looked over his face, and Lance looked to the floor. “I trusted you.” he scowled. “I can’t believe I trusted you.”
Shiro pressed a firm hand on Keith’s back, turning him towards the door.
Keith walked right out the room, threw Lances jacket to the floor while betrayal and discontent were clear on his face. And Lance watched as Keith was ushered away from him, his chest suddenly empty and void. His heart wavering and in a state of panic.
Shiro and Allura followed right behind of him, leaving behind Pidge and Hunk with a disheartened Lance.
“Lance.” Hunk’s voice consoled. “Lance it'll be fine.”
Lance turned to Pidge, her face unyielding and face impassive. “I'm not sorry.” she said.
“Keith was going to tell him.” Lance seethed. “He was going to tell all of you!”
“Keith isn't just your friend either Lance!” She yelled. “He’s mine too. We’d watch conspiracy theories together and ate unsalted popcorn.”
Pidge wiped at the prickling feel of tears near her eyes. “He helped me make peanut butter cookies when I missed Matt” she said, her voice uneven.
“I'm just as worried Lance.”
It hadn’t occurred to Lance that while he often missed his own family, Pidge went through the same emotions. She had a family she wished to find.
“That's why I said something. If anything were to happen to Keith, I won't be able to deal with losing someone again.” She huffed.
“I didn't think like that.” Lance said. “I'm sorry.”
Lance threw himself into Pidge, giving a bone crushing hug.
“Lance you can let go.” Pidge smiled.
“Nope. Not until you feel better.” Lance held tighter. Hunk, without warning, joined in and Pidge swore this was one of the best hugging groups she’d been in.
When Keith was ten, he had fallen off his bike and unfortunately broke his ankle. Even though the doctors claimed he’d have bed stay for six weeks or longer, he left in two weeks.
The doctors called it a miracle, others were skeptical. It hadn’t mattered to Keith since he could leave earlier.
“This may sting.” Kolivan bought a syringe to Keith’s arm, slowly drawing blood.
But it hadn’t, and Keith recalled getting multiple shots, feeling absolutely nothing and the medicine having little to no effect. No one could explain it, so often times Keith would have to fight off the sickness on his own.
Keith watched as Kolivan bought the syringe over to a table, taking a disinfectant to his arm and bandage. “How long will I stay in here.” Keith said, his tone impatient. Kolivan didn’t look to Keith as he placed the blood into a small vial. “Until we figure why you’re just now changing and how to slow it.”
Keith rubbed over his arm, “So it can’t be that serious right?”
Kolivan turned to Keith, his face rugged. “Not only is your skin tone changing, so is your body. By Galra terms you’re incredibly small.” Kolivan placed the vial in a small box, a humming noise emitting from it. “Thanks.” Keith muttered under his breath.
“Your galra half may be trying to fix that. You should be growing at a slower pace, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.” Kolivan took a seat next to Keith’s bed, crossing his arms.
“Your heart doesn’t have time to catch up because you’re growing too fast. Your bones may jut out uncomfortably and your joints will ache.”
Keith’s eyes widened, “Are you telling me I’m going to die?” He raised his voice in concern.
Kolivan shook his head, “I’m telling you for now, to take it easy. It won’t be an easy transformation”
He got back up, took the vial out the small box and walked towards the door.
“Do not act recklessly.” He didn’t say it as a piece of advice, he ordered it. Because one of the only hopes of the universe ever liberating itself was in his care.
Then he was gone, and the room felt too silent with his heartbeat the only noise in his head.
Time seemed nonexistent in the small room, Keith figured since there were healing pods they was no real need for a large infirmary. The room felt near home, it was quiet and clean, white and bright and if the tables of medical supplies weren’t in his peripheral sight he’d be convinced it was a room at the garrison.
Several raps hit the door, dragging him out of his thoughts to answer it. As he moved off the bed, vertigo fell over him as he struggled to stand. Giving up, he threw himself back onto the bed, “Come in.” He said.
Pidge came in as the door shuddered open, “You look fantastic.”
Keith gave a thumbs up, “Never felt shittier.”
“My condolences.” Pidge bought out her laptop the bag she kept strapped to her side. “Take this offering o’ suffering one.” Keith caught a bag of what looked like chips with an off red color.
“How’d you get these?” Keith tugged the bag open, the smell of sweet tanginess hitting his nose.
“Turns out there was a potato like vegetation on the planet.” Pidge shook her bag around, signifying she had bought a couple with her.
Keith grabbed a handful and shoved them in his mouth, savoring the saltiness of them.
Pidge motioned for Keith to scoot in his bed, settling herself in in the space Keith offered. “I was deciding between ‘Where's bigfoot’ and ‘Planet earth’.” Pidge pulled up a movie player on her laptop. “I figured you'd need something soothing.”
The words ‘Planet Earth’ showed in white against a mountainous slope covered in snow.
“Keith.” Pidge paused the movie, sighing deeply. “Lance didn’t tell me.”
Keith stopped munching on the chips.
“I found out accidently.” Pidge gave a lopsided smile. “Lance even defended you, he went as far as dueling to keep my mouth shut.”
Keith’s mind flashed to the bruises and scars he’d seen that scattered Lance’s limbs.
Keith’s hand slumped in the bag, his brows were furrowed and his eyes narrowed.
Pidge frowned, “I'm sorry.”
“I blamed him for it.” Keith murmured. “I almost told him I hated his ass Pidge!”
Keith panicked. “I like his stupid ass”
Keith covered his face in embarrassment, groaning into his hands as he realized how fucked he was. Because whatever they’d started, whatever feelings they’d initiated, Keith had probably burnt down.
Pidge pressed the play button, baby seals showing up on the screen rolling on their fat bodies. Keith noted it was her way of trying to make him feel better. Even though he tried to find some way to pin his anger on Pidge, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Keith wrapped himself up in the covers, letting his head peek out to watch. “Thanks Pidge.”
She turned down the lights, the screen bright from the laptop with seal calls. She pulled out another bag of the chips, the smell instead of sweet and tangy was zesty and sour. “No problem.”
They both drifted off as they reached the amazon forest, the cries of macaws lulling them to sleep.
When Keith woke the bed was empty and cold, the alarm read in red letters three am. Keith shifted upwards, hissing at the stiffness in his body. He wondered if three minutes with the gladiator would take a number on his body. Not willing to check, he dragged himself out of bed.
The slight tick of the clock rang through his ears as he walked to the bathroom. He turned the nozzle to freezing cold water and splashed his face with it. As he looked into the mirror he noted that most of his neck and half his forehead have been covered in purple. His nails were still curved and sharp and his hands were covered in fine purple hairs. “Perfect.” he snarled.
He lazily walked back to his bed, not bothering to haul the other half of him onto it. Suddenly savored the cold feel of the floor and sighed. Everything felt louder, tasted and smelt stronger, he could see sharper and it made his head spin. Keith wished desperately for some type of storm to sweep his ass up from the hell he was living. Then the slow sound of feet in the hallway caught his attention, they were light and hesitate. While Kolivan’s were heavy and secure, Pidge were fast paced and irregular. He’d heard Hunk pass his door multiple times and they were slow and near silent.
Keith raised his head to hear better. It wasn’t Allura, hers clacked against the floor as if to command attention. It hadn’t been Shiro, his were quick and had a slight rubber sound to them.
No, Keith thought. Because Lance hadn’t bothered visiting since he’d been here, he didn’t raise his expectations. Then the steps stopped dead at the door, followed by a rhythm of knocks that didn’t sound ready.
“Go away.” Keith yelled.
But the knocks became more persistent, stronger.
“Let me in, Hunk made you something.” Lance said on the other side, he tried to slide the door open. Realizing Pidge had locked it before she left, Keith silently thanked her. He walked over slowly, undid the lock and slid the door open.
Lance seemed to jump, not ready to face him. “You’re.. purple” Lance said.
Keith rolled his eyes, “Thank you Einstein.” He tried to sound annoyed, but his tone felt too relaxed, too relieved.
Lance held up a plate of brownies. “Peace offering.” He laid them on the nightstand next to Keith’s bed. Keith said nothing as took one to his mouth, nearly smiling at the warmth and sweetness of it.
Lance sat in the seat near the bed, twiddling around with his thumbs.
“Ok, I know Pidge outed you but I’m telling you I never told her.”
Keith licked the chocolate from his thumb, “I know.”
What ever Lance had set up to say after died in his throat, “You know?” He croaked
Keith nodded, “She came last night and we watched a buncha seals roll around”
Lance looked more torn and confused than when he walked in, “So you’re not mad at me?” Lance gave a nervous smile. Keith slid him a weary eye as he took another brownie, “Peace offering.” Lance stated as he pointed to them.
“You didn’t make them.” Keith said mid-brownie. “You probably forced Hunk to make these.”
Lance gave a incredulous look, “I would never use Hunk like that man, what am I a monster?”
He crossed his legs, “Besides, I asked him to.” he whispered. Keith knew he meant for it to be silent enough that he couldn’t hear. Keith only gave a small smile, reaching for a third brownie.
“You love sweets don’t you.” Lance tilted his head, “I haven’t laid a hand on those and you’ve eaten half the plate.”
Keith ignored him, finishing the treat. “You said it yourself, peace offering.” Keith shrugged.
Lance nodded, “I know, I know.” he huffed, he got up from his seat and leaned over the bed.
“You grew.” Lance said, he took his hand in his palm. Keith made no moves as Lance pressed his hands, feeling the rougher skin in his palms.
“Your damned mullet did too.” Lance murmured. Without hesitation Lance’s ran his hand through Keith’s hair, leaving it there a little too long that Keith couldn’t help but interpret it as something else. “Christ it's greasy.” Lance looked at Keith. “When the hell did you last shampoo?”
Keith averted his eyes, “Like five days ago. A week?”
Lance grimaced, “Nope, I can’t let this go on.”
He walked over to the bathroom, the sound of water following after.
“Lance?” Keith got up from his bed. “Lance what are you doing.”
He found him hunched over the side of the tub, testing the water with his hand before turning to Keith. “Get in.”
Keith complied , “You like seeing me strip don’t you” he said as hesitantly took off his shirt off, shimming out his jeans and underwear.
“As pretty as you look Keith, you wish I did.” Lance shot back. Keith felt stunned, pretty, Lance had thought he was pretty.
He slowly sank into hot water, letting his head dive under. “Not too hot?” Lance questioned. Keith shook his head, droplets of water falling off his hair. He held his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them.
Keith watched as Lance took a shampoo bottle and spurt its contents into his hand before lathering Keith’s head. Keith might’ve purred had he been able to, because Lance’s hands felt like heaven as he massaged his scalp, scooping up the suds as they traveled down his forehead. “You don’t take care of yourself much do you.”
“I shower when I can. I feel to heavy to do it regularly.” Keith murmured. Lance seemed to catch the gist of it as it rubbed the back of Keith’s neck. “No wonder you have such a musky stank.”
Keith blushed, “Is it really that bad?”
Lance shook his head, “No..” Lance turned around, taking a cup that decorated the counter of the sink. “it smells homely. Like charred wood.”
Lance filled the cup with water. “Close your eyes.” Keith felt the water run over his head twice.
Lance then reached for conditioner, “Is that a complement?” Keith pulled back his bangs to stare up at Lance. He felt open as Lance looked back, thought stirring in his head. “I think so.”
Lance bought his hands back to Keith’s hair, raking the conditioner through it.
Keith sighed as Lance ran his fingers through his hair. “You smell like mint.” Keith confessed.
Lance laughed, the vibration leaving Keith tingling.
“I always thought I was more of a coconut guy.” Lance covered Keith’s eyes as he bought the cup of water to his head.
Lance held a small towelette in his hand, rubbing a bar of soap into it. “You mind?” Lance made a twirling motion with his finger. Keith turned in the murky water slowly, giving Lance access to his back. “You remind me of my little brother.” Lance began to make rubbing motions in Keith’s back, scrubbing with gentle force. “He never took personal hygiene to heart.”
Keith listened as Lance continued to wash his back, “My mother often had to wrestle him in the bath. If it wasn’t her,” Lance rinsed his back, taking Keith’s arm and did the same thing. “Me and my sister would throw him into the tub just to get clean.”
Lance laughed in a nostalgic fervor, carefully washing over the purple skin in softer motions as if he might bruise it. “Then he ran away, claiming he was never going to come back.” Lance scoffed. He ran water over Keith’s arm, reaching for the other. “We found him in a abandoned house not far from my school. Dirt covered him head to toe”
Keith watched Lance stare at the wall, as if he could see his brother. “My mother cried when the police found him.” Lance reached for a towel that sat on the toilet, tossing the towelette on the side of the bath.
“I don’t know if it was because my mother was so distraught over him being gone, but he started to clean up after himself.”
Lance helped Keith up, making sure his eyes stayed forward. Keith watched through his bangs, he wasn’t sure if he should say anything as Lance left the bathroom.
He tugged his shirt back on after drying off.
“You ramble a lot.” Keith said as he emerged from the bathroom, towel atop his head.
“Sorry.” Lance took the towel, squeezing Keith’s hair in it. “Habit.”
Lance let Keith’s face show, the purple spots and black hair framing his curious eyes as he stared back. “It’s a nice habit.” Keith said. “Don’t stop.”
Keith caught the small flush of color against Lance’s face as he turned, the memory burnt inside his head.
Lance folded the towel over a chair, sitting on the bed Keith laid on.
“When I was ten my sister and I went to disney world for our birthdays.”
Keith propped his head up with an elbow, “But the weather had other plans for us. A storm rolled in an hour after we got off the plane.”
Lance stared at the ceiling, “My mother tried to make it worthwhile for us, but most of the rides were closed due to the inclined weather.”
Keith watched Lance’s shoulders lower, “My sister and I desperately wanted to go space mountain. We ended up taking the teacups and train rides.”
“Sounds magical.” Keith snickered.
“Don't take that tone with me, we quite enjoyed ourselves.” Lance defended. “Imagination and all that space gave us the fun we missed.”
Lance laid back into the bed, “What was your amusement park story.”
Keith made a face as he tried to recall back to his younger years “I was six and the orphanage went to farm.” Keith started. “So we got in line for horse rides, they told us not to react while on them.”
Keith had a look for mortification while revisiting the memory, “I didn’t hear them and went to kick the horse, ya know like how they do on tv”
Lance started to stifle his laughter, “The damn thing took off and I’m hanging onto the reins for dear life.” Keith snorts. “It was terrifying.”
Lance let out a loud, tight laugh, his chest heaving in air as he cried.
“Do you have a mental image of me just being thrown off the horse?” Keith smiled.
Lance nodded quickly in between laughs and cackles.
Keith felt as if they were the only people aboard the ship, inside the room. He felt relaxed without everyone's presence all at once.
“Before I forget.” Lance wiped a tear away and pushed himself off the bed.
He ran out the door without a word, returning with a brush. “Sit up.”
Keith sat criss-crossed, humming at the feel of the brush.
“I’ve done this a million times, so don’t be worried if I’m going to rip out your hair or anything.”
“You’re leading me to believe that you have.” Keith taunted.
Lance lightly brushed past Keith’s ears, “Might've had a problem with Allura’s hair.”
Keith lightly chuckled, “Altean hair is a lot thicker than it looks, I brushed past one section over twelve times.” Lance scowled. “I got a hell of a arm workout.”
Keith felt the brush move up closer to his forehead, Lance starting to brush past his bangs.
“No offense man, but you need a trim.”
Keith focused his eyes to his forehead, trying to tug down the hair to his eye level. “I feel like growing it out.” his eyes looked up at Lance for some type of confirmation.
Lance thought about it, the word no on the tip of his tongue until he could see it. Keith with flowing black hair that met at back length, the bangs swept up to the side that perfectly framed his face with a coolness that Lance could only dream of. He imagined the side braids, undercuts with patterns and ponytails, idea after idea jamming into his side.
“I’ll help.” Lance stated.
Keith gave him a look of disbelief, “Of all people I expect you to be the first to take a couple of scissors to my head.”
Lance nervously rubbed at his wrist, “Well, you know, it wouldn’t look half bad.”
He stuttered. Heat began to crawl up his neck, flow down his arms and put his heart into overdrive. His eyes were looking for anything to look at, to latch on for the time being while Keith revealed his shit-eating grin.
“Half-bad?” Keith asked. God, he sounded so smug and cocky, seemingly in a better attitude but beautifully complacent.
Lance let his eyes fall upon the clock, five am, the perfect excuse to run before he did something he regretted.
“Well, you'll never get me to say it again.” Lance began to rise off the bed. “But it's nearly morning and I doubt Coran won't drag me along to help clean.”
Keith grabbed Lance's wrist just before walking off, instantly letting go. “Stay here.” He said. “Its pretty quiet here and no one passes that much, so you don't need to worry about being loud.” Keith stated.
In his head all the words he said translated differently, It's cold and quiet and you're probably the only person to keep me sane in this prison.
Keith watched Lance nervously, his blood rising as Lance strided to the door and shut the lights off. “You're acting like a ten year old.” Keith couldn't see, but pinpointed where Lance had been in the darkness. Cracks of light flooded underneath the door but only showed against reflective things.
Keith laid still as Lance went to situate himself in the space he’d offered up. His hand accidently pressing against Keith’s thigh as he turned towards him. “Sorry.” he whispered.
Keith only huffed back a slurred okay.
“You comfortable?” Keith asked.
He felt Lance nod, “Much more now that you're cleaned up.” He snorted.
Keith frowned, “You said it didn't smell that bad.”
He found Lance to be staring at him against the white pillow. “Key word: that bad.”
“Whatever.” Keith mumbled. “Can you keep rambling, I think it might help me sleep.”
Lance made a tsking noise, “I've nearly told you my whole life story, what about you.”
Keith narrowed his eyes, he could see finer detail on Lance’s face. “I told you some.”
“Yeah and they both included you running away.” Lance sniped.
Keith groaned, silence engulfing the room save for the humming of the air vents. His neck bobbed as fear seemed to trickle down his throat. “If it gets quiet enough, I can see her.” Keith said softly. “My mother. I can see her narrow yellow eyes and tipped ears.”
Lance couldn't see to save his life, but saw Keith’s face scrunch up
“I can hear her voice, its high and accented and smooth.” he heard Keith’s voice slightly break, “She smells like robust coffee, something unrefined and rugged.” Keith felt Lance place a hand on his shoulder.”And when I see the Galra, I see her.” Keith whispered. “Like she's going to run up to me and weep her eyes out and apologize for being gone.” Lance could see the tears slide down Keith’s face.
Lance slowly held Keith to his chest, his small and tiny sobs like nails against a chalkboard to his ears. Then he wondered how Keith had survived this alone, because according to Pidge, he's been alone for most of his life. And Lance could suddenly see teenage Keith in a dark room, crying into a pillow and trying to stifle it.
So his heart melted, it warmed and broke out in a icy rage for Keith.
“You shouldn’t have talked about it if you were going to weep.” Lance said.
Keith shook his head, “If I didn’t tell someone I’d probably just burst in the middle of a mission.”
Lance tightened his grasp around Keith. The ticking clock and rush of air filled the silence, the beating of both of their hearts against each other a soothing presence. Lance noted Keith had begun to drift off, his breathing becoming slowed and even. The tears stopped flowing and the sobbing ended.
Lance felt the need to hide away Keith from the world, because he might’ve had a cold and distance exterior that seemed tough and rude. But against Lance’s arms was a distraught boy that wore himself out, and Lance swore to himself to protect Keith
Two whole hours, Lance got two whole hours to sleep next to Keith.
He got two whole hours before Coran tracked him down in the infirmary, and had exactly fifteen seconds to place a chaste kiss on top of Keith’s forehead before being dragged off to work.
“How well do you think he’s doing?” Lance wiped up a window, spraying and reaching into the far corners.
Coran continued to scrub at the floor, “Well, Kolivan’s hasn’t told us anything but said it's nothing life-threatening. Just as long as Keith stays put.”
Lance raised his brows, “If it isn’t life threatening, why can’t he move around?”
Coran seemed to slow his hands, “That is rather concerning.”
Coran dismissed himself and Lance from their duties, deciding to pay Kolivan a quick visit. Three knocks on the bedroom door was all it took to open, Kolivan standing broadly in front of it. Lance’s words died in his mouth as he saw Pidge sitting down in a chair near a desk. “May we help you?” Kolivan asked, no politeness in his voice yet it wasn’t leaning towards aggravation.
“We need to know about Keith.” Coran spoke up, he lead himself in, his head held high.
“Good to know I’m not the only one.” Pidge spoke up. “He’s found a reason why Keith just started to break out.”
Lance took in the room, the beds pushed far off to the side and where a desk had replaced it. He glanced at the towering stacks of folders and papers, had he not know better he would have guess it to be Pidge’s room.
“That planet had large quantities of quintessence just radiating off it.” Pidge pulled documents out of a folder she kept on her lap. Coran took the papers, Lance glancing over his shoulder. The outer layer of the planet was a strong purple, the deeper parts of the planet showed specks of gold.
But the aura surrounding the planet is what really caught their attentions, almost in a menacing sense it shrouded the planet in a large blanket. “When compared to other planets, this one takes the cake.” Pidge finished.
“But that doesn’t explain Keith.” Lance said as he pointed to the paper.
“Quintessence is one of the rawest energy forces known to the universe,” Kolivan said. “We believe it's what's kept Zarkon alive all these years.”
Coran set the papers down, taking a seat next to Pidge. “It’s revealed Keith’s true form, in some sort of sense.” Coran interjected.
Pidge nodded, “There are minor side effects to this, it's his growth.”
The longer hair and bigger hands that Lance had looked over were starting to make sense.
“It’s not detrimental to his health, as long as he stays still for a while.”
Coran raised a brow, his moustache nearly doing the same. “And if he doesn’t?”
“Then we place him in a healing pod considering we don’t know the full extent of what might happen.” Kolivan stated. Coran let his guard down, seemingly happy or comfortable with the answer.
They’d left the room later, Coran damning Lance to finish the rest of the hallway on his own while he convened with Allura. He complained the enter time, whistling tunes to keep his mind off the information they’d learnt just minutes ago.
Lance stopped dead in tracks as his mind seemed to crash altogether. Keith never stood still, the day they met with the guy he flew off a cliff with them. Because it was instinct for him to, not reasonable human logic. Lance finished the hallway as that final thought dug nails into his mind, then he was sprinting.
Keith never was one for reason, he tried to kill Zarkon on the spot, flew out into space with the idea he was being tracked and held one of the Olkari hostage without a second thought. Soon the only word Lance could muster out his mouth was Keith. Because Keith’s stupid, dangerous, pretty ass could hurt himself and Lance couldn’t deal with not being quick enough.
His lungs stung and and legs felt weak as he reached for the door, heaving in air as he slid it open. A brush of cold air hit him as he entered, the squeak of his sneakers filling in the void of his head as he looked at the bed. Hours before Keith was there, comfortably sleeping and murmuring something in between snores while Lance counted his breaths.
The bed was desolate, covers thrown and hanging off the side of the bed.
There was no sound behind the bathroom door and none in the closets.
Keith was missing.
He could have came up with twenty reasons to have come out the room.
He could in detail, explain thoroughly that he’d only wanted thirty minutes to stretch out around the castle. But something in the back of his mind knew for fact they’d all lose it to find him gone, but it wasn’t intentional, he never means for his actions to have blowbacks on his teammates.
He crept out right after realizing Lance had left, no doubt caught by Coran.
Keith felt fine as he changed into fighting attire, after receiving a whole new wardrobe he had little use for it other than for casual use and battle. But the thick pants fit just right with his new gained height, even if it was a few inches.
“Start sequence 5.” His voice reverberated against the greystone of the room, a slight beep rang back at the order and the gladiator stood a couple feet from him. Keith took a defensive stance, bayard in hand and adrenaline running. He clenched and unclenched his hands as he stalked around the gladiator, then his ears flinched at the tiniest shuffle of its feet as it charged.
Then he bought his sword up, deflecting the blow the gladiator brought down in a gratifying force. Then he ducked as the weapon sliced past his head, rolling to the side before striking for its back. But he was still too slow and the gladiator was accelerating, before he had time to deflect his gut twisted as the gladiator dug its knee into his side.
Whatever thoughts that had condemned him to come back here, he was sorely regretting as he dragged himself back up on his feet. He held firm against the staff that was flung to the side of his head with his sword, hitting it away before backing up slowly. He dodged the onslaught of hits and stabs, the clash of metal against metal singing, sparks flying as Keith slid his sword across its torso.
“Sequence 5 defeated.” a robotic voice announced. “Starting sequence 6”
Keith’s eyes squinted at the voice, “End sequence 6”
But his voice was too low and quiet as the gladiator showed again, no scratches against its shiny metal and no hole against its abdomen. “End sequence 6!” Keith bellowed.
His head rung as the staff scraped against the floor, rising up to meet with Keith’s head.
The hit caused his vision to blur, unable to make out where the gladiator was going to aim next. He rolled over when he heard the metal feet enclose on him.
Then a blast came from the other side of the room, catching the gladiator off its guard. Soon its staff was ripped from its palms and the blast hit right through its head. It fell to the floor, nothing more than a heap of metal. “End sequence.” Lance’s voice cut through the haze of it all.
Keith sat up as Lance gripped him by the shoulders, “Thank you.”
As his eyes focused a wave of guilt ran over him, Lance’s lips were quivering and he looked aggravated. “What were you thinking.” Lance demanded.
“Lance-”
“You know what, I don't want to know because I know what you were thinking.” Lance sighed. His features softened and his grip loosened, but something like disappointment was clear against his face. “Come on, we need you to get back to your room.” Lance tugged Keith upwards.
“No.” Keith said.
Lance stared at him. “Do you have somewhere to be?”
Keith shook his head, “No, but I want to stay out just a little while more.”
Lance pursed his lips, he wanted to deny him so badly. Wanted to tell him it wasn’t possible because it was best for him, the reasonable option.
“Just a while more?” Lance asked.
Keith nodded, “Just a while more.” His voice little more than a whisper.
“Fine.” Lance grabbed Keith’s hand and went running for the door. “Everyone’s probably realized you’re gone.” He said as they ran down the hallway.
They turned a corner, holding their breaths at Shiro’s concerned voice and sweeping past halls and stairs as right before ending up in front of a room with intricately engraved swirls and marks.
“Isn't this the holodeck?” Keith watched as Lance pushed the doors open, revealing a dark room with a circular projector in the middle. “I thought only Allura’s dad could work this thing.”
Lance walked inwards, darkness engulfing the room as the doors shut on themselves.
“Hunk worked out some kinks since he felt bad for Allura.” Lance held his hand to the large projector. “Coran put the thing into commision and now any of us should be able to work it.”
Keith took a look around the room, darkness stretching out for as far as he could see.
“How?”
Lance shrugged, “Start sequence.” His voice hadn’t echoed back, but the projector answered back with a whirring sound. Lance gulped as nervousness crept up his chest, “Show Altea.”
Quicker than Keith could snap his fingers, the floor was covered in green pastures and purple flowers. “Juniberries.” Keith kneeled down to put the flowers into his palm, “Allura had talked about these before. But I feel like I’ve seen them already.”
Lance sat down against the grass, careful not to smash the delicate things. “I know what you mean.”
They lapsed into a comfortable silence, the winds brushing against the tall grass, blowing back their hair.
“Do you like to dance?” Lance turned his head to Keith.
“Do I look like a dancer?” Keith gave a lopsided grin. “At best I can do a mean hoe down.”
Lance laughed, rising up as he dusted himself off. He held his hand out before Keith, “You know you kinda look like the flowers.”
“Why, because I’m purple?” Keith snorted, grasping Lance’s hand and pulling himself up.
“No,” Lance held him firmly, his eyes settled on Keith. “Because you’re breathtaking”
Keith froze as Lance let his eyes roam over his face, searching for a reaction, an answer or comeback. “Christ you’re cheesy.” Keith grimaced, earning a shrug from Lance.
“I’ll teach you to dance.” Lance said.
Keith had a confused look on his face, “We have no music.”
“Dude do you pay attention to any of the upgrades in this castle?” Lance frowned.
“Play ‘I Have Nothing’ by Whitney Houston.” Lance said to no one in particular, but the computer recognized the command and a slow tune began to fill the room.
“Take my hand.” Lance clasped Keith’s hand, placing it in front of them. “Place your hand on my waist.” Keith followed the order as Lance pressed his arm against his back. “Now move your feet forward.”
Keith slightly lagged behind as Lance moved to the rhythm of the song, slow and steady.
They both turned to the right as the music sped up, “Follow me.” Lance said.
His feet moved to the right in one large step, he did the same going to the left making Keith move back as Lance advanced forward. “Now turn slightly as you’re doing it.”
Keith noted the dance to be the ballroom kind.
Keith once again followed, nearly stepping on Lance’s foot as he moved back with the pace of the song. “This song used to be at my parents wedding” Lance said, humming right alongside the song with his eyes closed. “It was their slow dance.”
A moment of realization hits Keith with those words, this was important, extremely important and he felt like a stranger barging in on a moment. He might as well have kept quiet as Lance lost himself in the song, the moves and surroundings. Cherishing the smell of mint and Lance’s warm hand enclosed within his and the unnecessary swing of his hips . Relished in the fact that Lance was so close, could make out the imperfections that marred his face. Tiny scars and freckles, an insignificant scab not too far along the ends of his hair and the piercing on his ears.
“Don’t make me close one more door, I don’t want to hurt anymore.” Lance sang along, his voice slightly deeper and slower, sounding like smooth velvet.
Keith interjected. “Stay in my arms if you dare or must I imagine you there”
Lance’s face showed surprise, “You know this song country boy?” Lance said cunningly.
Keith’s eyes glanced down to their feet, “I picked up some words.”
They continued to sing along while dancing in a whirlwind, forgetting the dance almost entirely before creating their own to match the song. Keith snorted as Lance dipped him and Lance swore when Keith did the same. He cursed Lance out as he purposefully stepped on his toes, tripping him up. Lance denied each accusation, moments later doing the said action.
They both twirled each other into exhaustion, no rhythm following their antics. They fell to the ground after exerting their energy. As they caught their breaths they watched the sun over Altea descend, leaving behind a green and purple aura in the air along with the stars.
They watched in the brush of the grass, their bodies almost engulfed within the ground.
Peace surrounded them and Lance wished he could see Altea, live there and enjoy the nature around them.
Lance felt Keith tighten his grip on his hand, not a tenderly fashion but in warning.
“Keith?” Lance turned to his side, pushing back the grass to get a better look at his face.
Galra, was the first word that popped in Lance’s head. Shit, was the second.
A pair of fur covered ears unfurled at the sides of Keith’s head, pushing against the hair obscuring its path. Keith groaned as the ears seemed to twitch.
“Those are new” Lance breathed. Keith rubbed at his forehead, “It keeps getting worse.”
Lance shrugged, “You say that like its a bad thing.”
Keith sighed heavily, “I think we have to go.”
Lance frowned but agreed. As if his emotions were connection to the room, the hologram collapsed. Cold metal lay beneath them where the majestic green pastures were.
Lance didn't want to think about Shiro’s scolding manner while receiving a speech from Allura about their disappearance. They were still kids who fell into the wrong situation.
When they'd get to act like kids seemed like a distant dream, for their lives were now filled with battles and near death experiences. There was never a dull moment save for their silent dinners and moments of rest. Lance strode next to Keith in silence, “How do you feel.” He asked.
Keith didn't bother to look back, “Sore.”
Lance guessed he would be, after nearly getting decimated by the gladiator and dancing like the world were to end it was an expected outcome. “But I had fun.” Keith added. “I had fun with you.”
Lance’s hands tingled, wanting to wrap them around Keith’s tired face. “I did too.” Lance responded.
Keith had a small smile plastered on his face.
They reached his door, slid it open and began their goodbyes, sullen and drawn out.
But just before closing the door, Lance held it open, no excuse other then wanting to stay.
“Lance?” Keith slid the door open for more access, so he took the opportunity since he never knew when he’d get another.
Lance had his fair share of kisses, some rushed, others downright awkward.
There had been ones without his permission and ones where he trusted them.
But as he kept his lips pressed to Keith’s mouth, he felt like a puzzle piece that had finally found its other missing part.
Keith pressed back into the kiss, tugging Lance into the room with him and slamming the door shut. He’d be lying if he didn’t say Lance was the only thing keeping him on his feet, his legs were instantly jelly against the strong scent of him. He could hear the sporadic beating of his heart, his ears picking up the breathy moans that escaped Lance’s mouth and dedicated them to memory.
Lost in the heat of the moment, there was slightly too much teeth and tongue involved. Lance ,who was in a daze, felt Keith slightly nip at his lips with each kiss, demanding something he couldn’t put his finger on. He took a wild guess and let his hands drop to Keith’s sides, slightly clenching them with each sharp breath. He must have hit the jackpot because Keith’s arms felt like instant noodles around his neck.
Suddenly the soreness in Keith was nothing more than afterthought, because first priority was to hand his attention over to Lance. Lance, who had kept his secret. Lance, who is loyal and an airhead simultaneously. Lance, who he held close to chest while Lance did the same.
Keith realized he might have withdrawal problems later on.
Lance slightly parted back, regretting the action because he felt like he couldn’t get enough of the handsome purple idiot in front of him. “God I hate your ass.” Lance breathed, letting his hand run over the back of Keith’s neck. Even though it had been a few minutes, Keith’s hair was noticeably disheveled.
Keith grinned, “Well I think yours is adorable.” Lance squinted, “Have you been checking out my ass?”
Keith shrugged, “Well your face isn’t all that attractive, gotta look at something.”
Lance covered his face in embarrassment.
Keith let his smile drop, “Lance, I might be crazy but I think I l-”
“Hold on Keith,” Lance interjected “I don't think I'm ready for that.”
Keith raised a brow, “But you can hear me talk about your ass?”
Lance raised a finger, “Compliments are one thing while confessions are a whole other.”
“I fell in love with an idiot.” Keith groaned, detaching himself from Lance’s grasp.
Lance followed Keith as he plopped onto his bed, “I wouldn’t mind being your idiot.” Lance murmured, loud enough for Keith to hear and enough to get him riled up.
He looked up, Lance’s face a mirror of innocence and ignorance at what he proclaimed.
“Get in here.” Keith whispered, tugging down on Lance’s jacket. He complied, laying down in the space he’d been in before. He let his arms wrap around Keith’s shoulder, tugging him closer to his chest. “You’re nervous.” Keith said, his hand on Lance’s chest to feel the fast paced heart.
“Of course I am. Dude, I just asked to be your idiot and you didn’t give me a answer. You’re kinda leaving me hanging here.” Even his tone was uneasy.
Keith bit his lip, rolling the right words to say around in his head.
But they came up short and broken, so he shifted up the bed slightly to place a kiss on Lance’s cheek.
Lance tilted his head to the side, “Yes?’
Keith nodded.
Lance gave a heartwarming smile, “Ok.”
“Lets just keep this from the team for a while.” Keith spoke up.
Because Keith would and could not deal with teasings from Shiro and Pidge and would sooner jump out a window.
“Aw, you’re embarrassed of me?” Lance cooed
“Immensely” Keith deadpanned.
“Fine, deal.” Lance allowed some space between them to hold his hand out.
“In exchange I get all the attention I want and have unlimited access to your wardrobe. If we’re dating I cannot have you dressing like this.” Lance stated.
“You can have attention but if you touch my clothes you die.” Keith grasped Lance’s hand.
“Deal.” Lance said.