Chapter Text
Lance leaned across the desk, admiring Shiro as he did his work. They were running a diagnostics test of the Atlas.
The time passed by dreamily as Shiro went back and forth, calling out commands as system by system was checked. With any other person, Lance would be bored stiff, but with Shiro? Lance was just happy spending time with him. Lance was still officially on leave due to his injuries, so he wasn’t supposed to be doing any ‘paladin stuff,’ but hanging out at the helm of the Atlas while Shiro did his job was something he could sneak in on.
Finally, Shiro was saying the long awaited words into his headset. “Alright. Good work today everyone. Let’s all have a restful evening.”
As the other officers in the room filtered out, Lance was left alone, face to face with Shiro.
“Hey,” Shiro spoke softly.
“Hey.” Lance replied.
Lance felt himself blushing profusely. He still hadn’t gotten used to this whole ‘boyfriend’ thing, and he certainly wasn’t going to anytime soon.
Lance knew he looked like a blushing idiot, so he decided to change that. He leaned forward, and quickly pecked a kiss against Shiro’s lips.
Shiro visibly relaxed at that action, his tension from the day’s work leaving his mind. He reached his hand out and laced his fingers with Lance’s, and they exited the room, starting to head down the hallway.
“Hey Lance, can I ask you something?”
“What’s up?”
“I was wondering if I could tell Keith.” Shiro hesitated. “About us.” Lance didn’t answer immediately, so he felt the need to explain himself further. “He’s been bugging me a lot since we found out about… since we got back. Making sure I’m okay and all. That idiot’s more caring than he knows.” Shiro looks over to Lance, gauging his reaction. He’s greeted with a bright smile. Shiro smiles back, his cheeks growing warm. “And it’s not like I can keep these feelings pent up for much longer.”
“You’re comfortable telling him, then I’m comfortable telling him.” Lance stated. He and Shiro had been together for a while now, and there was no real point in keeping it hidden. Lance did take a second to worry though - the only other person who knew of his bisexuality was Hunk. The worry didn’t last at all. Shiro was out and proud, so why couldn’t he be too?
The couple found Keith exactly where they expected to. He was drilling some exercise for the umpteenth time, grunting with each full swing of his bayard.
Less expected, but still welcome, was Hunk, sitting off to the side of the room, a packed meal ready for when Keith finally decided to take a break.
Lance and Shiro awkwardly dropped hands before entering the room, waiting for their presence to be noticed. Hunk quickly caught their eyes, smiled, and waved them over.
Lance plopped down on the ground next to Hunk, glad to be with his friend. He sent a discreet look up at Shiro, silently asking if it was okay for Hunk to know too. Shiro smiled back, and moved to sit down next to the other two boys.
At one point or another, Keith finally caught sight that two new people were in the room. He seemed a little frustrated as he called the training sequence off, but there was a lightness to his step as he strolled over to his teammates.
Before Keith could ask what was up, Hunk handed him the packed food. Keith, not ready to eat yet, smiled and said “thanks.” He’d eat once the adrenaline from his training had gone down.
“So what brings you two here?” Hunk asked, especially surprised at Shiro, considering how busy he was these days.
“Got the evening off,” Shiro shrugged casually, “Thought we might tell you something.”
Lance could feel the heat rising to his face once more. Oh. This was actually happening. And Shiro was being so chill about it. God he loved that man.
Shiro glanced over at his boyfriend for approval to continue, and was greeted back with some wild, but clearly nervous, grinning. Shiro laughed affectionately in his head at the sight. Lance was clearly not going to be doing any of the announcing here.
“Just wanted to let you guys know that Lance and I are dating.” Shiro’s words were full of confidence that Lance could only dream of.
Keith just shook his head, almost hiding the approving smile that sat across his face. Hunk on the other hand was… well, Hunk. He swept Lance and Shiro up in one of those big bear hugs of his, tears starting to form in his eyes.
“Oh I’m so happy for you guys! Congratulations!” He let them go upon his next words. “I’m so proud of you man, you actually did it.”
Lance went to protest, to say that it wasn’t actually him that made the first move, but when he went to turn to Hunk, he realized he wasn’t actually speaking to him.
“Wait.” Lance stopped any reply Shiro could give, and pointed a playfully accusing finger at Hunk. “You knew about this?”
“Uh, yeah. How do you think Shiro knew that you liked him?” Hunk stifled back a laugh.
“Traitor. I told you not to tell anyone!”
“Hey, I think it turned out alright if you ask me.” Hunk shrugged, but did nothing to hide how proud he was of his actions.
Now Shiro was the one laughing. He threw his head back slightly, and let out a big belly laugh. He Hunk’s banter, proud of the support his teammates gave to the relationship. He smiled because of Keith, who felt the joy of the situation, but was a bit confused by it all. His joyful outburst continued because of Lance, the amazing man who had enabled him to feel this way again. He laughed because he hadn’t laughed like this in a long time. He hadn’t felt this great in as long as he could remember.
Lance found himself staring at Shiro, entranced by the beauty of his laughter. From hearing him frequently shout and cry in the night, this was a welcome change, and a sight for sore eyes. And, eventually, he couldn’t help but laugh along with him. Lance could feel a new sense of ease wash over him. Keith and Hunk didn’t care that he was bi. Shiro didn’t worry about his scars. And most of all, Shiro loved him, and Lance loved him back.
Hunk needed to join in too, the joy of the event becoming suffocatingly contagious. Shiro, Lance, and Keith had all gone through their share of struggles, but they were still here to share this carefree moment. The tears welling up in his eyes started to fall, punctuating every happy laugh that flew from his lungs. He couldn’t be prouder of his friends.
Keith couldn’t catch the bug of laughter that was going around, but it didn’t stop the huge smile that was plastered on his face. This was his team, his friends, his family . They made it so far, and he was able to be here with them, accepted despite anything. Shiro, who believed in him against all odds, was here, laughing like he’d never seen before. Lance, his right hand man in battle and in life, had been able to get Shiro to let go enough to laugh like that again. And Hunk, who had helped him through more than he even knew. More than he might ever know.
The past few years had been rough on the paladins. The last few months, even more so. But that never stopped them from doing their best to pull the pieces back together when they fell apart. Nightmares were being quelled. Skills were being regained. Emotions were being repaired. Wounds were being healed. Friendships were being advanced. Relationships were being lived out. Events may have brought them to their lowest points, but it was okay. They came back from it stronger than ever. Because, after all, they recovered more than they’d lost.