Chapter Text
Lance sat in the main room of the ship, the other being the pilots room, where Keith sometimes worked on the ships mechanics. Lance had offered to help multiple times, but Keith had promptly refused, saying Lance needed to rest. They’d been travelling for about a month, swiftly avoiding Galra fleets and stopping off at scavenger planets to get gas and scraps for the ship.
“Keeeeith, I really need to pee! Are there any nearby planets?” Lance whined.
Keith gasped and hurriedly typed on the dash. “Yes, in 10 minutes,” he said, relieved.
They stopped off on a planet the colour of rust called Pleat. Lance rushed to the bathroom. He stepped out after relieving himself and gasped. Keith was in a full on brawl with a random Altean man in scavenger clothing. A ring of different species, men, women, whatever , were huddled around them, chanting “Fight, fight, fight!”
Lance ran desperately to the circle. “Keith! Keith! Are you okay?”
Keith grunted as a fist connected with his face. “Lance, tell this buffoon I haven’t kidnapped you!” he gasped.
Lance looked at the man assaulting Keith. He had jaw-length orange hair the texture of straw that consumed his head like a forest fire, and an unruly moustache the same bright hue. Lance gasped.
“Coran?!”
Coran whipped his head to Lance. “Prince Lance! I’ve just been fending off your capturer while you ran! Get out of here!”
“No, Coran! You’ve got it wrong, he saved me!” Lance yelled, gasping for breath after the run. He got between Coran and Keith, holding up a hand.
“But Prince, he’s Galra?” Coran said, eyeing Keith warily. Then his eyes moved to Lance’s wrists, and he gasped.
“I know, I know, let’s just go already!” Lance said, grabbing both men by the wrists and tugging them forwards. Coran glared steak knives at Keith. Keith returned the favor by making an obscene gesture at Coran, who’s eyes widened in outrage. Lance sighed.
Keith didn’t know who this ‘Coran’ dude was, but he sure as hell didn’t like him. For starters, he didn’t leave Lance’s side, accompanying him even to the bathroom. He didn’t let Keith anywhere near Lance, unless Lance walked over to him, otherwise he’d throw a hissy-fit. If he wanted to hold Lance’s hand? Nope, Coran was asking for help making green food goop. If he wanted to tell Lance things would be okay? Sorry, Coran needed help charting these maps. If he wanted to chat with Lance about Earth novels? WAIT, NO, CORAN -
“Keith!”
Keith’s head snapped towards the sound of Lance. He was running over to him with a big smile plastered on his smooth honey skin. Keith couldn’t help but smile and open his arms wide. Lance jumped into them and they hugged.
“I’ve barely been able to talk to you, Lance. Coran is taking up all our time.” He said, his words laced with poison.
Lance frowned. “He doesn’t like Galran people.”
Keith snorted. “I can tell.”
“But then again,” Lance started, a little too airily, “not many Altean people do, because, y’know…” He trailed off awkwardly, looking at Keith apologetically.
Keith just smiled. “I understand. We’ll get them to like me.”
Lance grinned widely. “We sure as hell will! Because we’re gonna get engaged !”
Keith froze. His eyes widened. He looked down at the small tan angel in his arms. Then it started.. raining? Keith looked up, frowning.
“I could’ve sworn it was raining… but we’re inside. That’s impossible... “ He murmured to himself. “Is there a leak?”
Lance giggled. “You’re crying, silly. Tears of joy, no doubt.” He said, putting a modest hand to his chest.
Keith wiped at his face. “I… haven’t cried in over ten years.”
Lance stopped smiling. “Why?”
“My brother, Shiro, was killed by Zarkon for disobeying his direct orders. He fell in love with a human prisoner named Adam and tried to help him escape. It didn’t work. Zarkon executed them both in front of me when I was thirteen. I haven’t cried since then… but I guess it’s completely different circumstances, right?” Keith said with a light chuckle, hoping he hadn’t ruined the mood.
Lance just looked at him and pressed a feather light kiss on each of Keith’s tear stained cheeks. He grabbed his hand and led him to his room, where he ordered Keith to sleep, or else he’d ‘beat him up’. Keith chuckled, but was too tired to protest as he fell into a peaceful sleep upon laying down.
Lance smiled at Keith, who fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. “You work too hard for me…” Lance muttered, smiling. He yawned, and couldn’t resist climbing into bed close to the purple rogue. And, much like Keith, he fell asleep instantly.
And an hour or two later, they were rudely awakened by Coran.
“Ughhh, Coran! What time is it anyway?” Lance asked drowsily.
“3:27 AM.” He replied, angrily eyeing a flustered Keith, his face flaming upon finding Lance cradled in his arms.
Lance squinted his eyes at Coran. “Why did you wake us this early?” He suspected it was because Coran didn’t approve of their relationship. Just imagining what Coran would do when he found out they were engaged made Lance worried.
“W-Well, I, uh-” Coran started, before Keith flopped his head down on the pillow again and wrapped an arm around Lance’s waist. Lance had to suppress his giggle, as Coran looked like he was about to burst, veins popping out on his forehead.
“Sorry, Coran, we’re very tired. Can you come, at, like, 8:30 or something?” Lance said, smiling guiltily.
Coran apologized and bowed, before turning a wary eye upon the sleeping soldier and leaving.
All was quiet until Keith murmured, “Territorial bastard…” and pulled Lance closer.
Lance had to laugh. “Out of anyone you’re the ‘territorial’ one.”
He felt Keith’s smile, and he turned around to give him a quick kiss, and catching a fleeting glimpse of Keith flushing a deep violet before turning back and going to sleep. He grinned. But his grin dimmed when he thought of what Altea would make of this. An Altean Prince and a Galran Soldier. One of the most unlikely pairs known in the galaxy itself. Keith’s snores weren’t enough to stop him from falling into a fitful sleep, dreaming about violet skin, cramped spaces, disapproving masses and heavy metal shackles.
Keith awoke at 7:00, an hour and a half before Coran was due to annoy the hell out of him. He smiled at the sleeping prince, before quietly getting out of bed. He keenly felt the absence of his warmth, and was half tempted to go lie down again before Coran came, but he needed to say something to the man. He walked to the ships main room, where Coran was looking at a clock, humming. His humming halted though, and his face puckered in distaste.
“You’re early, for once.” Coran spoke venomously. Then, somewhat airily, he added, “I heard Galra sleep for an unusually long amount of time and snore so loud the devil himself could hear.”
Keith didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, it’s so we can function properly and remain ever vigilant. It seems to be working well, wouldn’t you say, Coran?” He cocked his head.
Coran scowled. “What do you want, anyway? Come to tell me of your secret plan to kill Lance?”
“What? No!” Keith said, genuinely angry. “I love Lance.”
Coran looked angry, and was about to speak, before Keith spoke again. “I saved him.”
“Huh? You? A Galra soldier, saving Lance? Hah!”
“It’s true. Lance was captured by the Galra almost five months ago, yes? I was assigned to guard him.” This earned a surprised look from Coran.
“Lance never told me this…”
“Well, of course he didn’t. It was probably traumatizing. It was painful for both of us, him to endure it, and me to have to watch him.” Coran remained silent, an indication for Keith to carry on. “There were days where he wouldn’t talk at all, refused to eat, and just laid about all day. Those were his worst. I willed him to eat and exercise, because if he didn’t he’d definitely fall into ruin.”
“So? You made him eat and move so he could endure that torture for longer.”
“No!” Keith snapped. “I wanted him happy and healthy, however impossible it might’ve been in that hellhole. I talked to him to keep his mind up and running. Social contact is a huge necessity, you know. He might’ve gone mad.”
Coran didn’t speak.
“And after I heard him crying, I knew I had to get him out of there. I loved him, you see, and I still do.” He said, quieter. “I always heard his little winces of pain from the shackles. Do you know how he always wears long sleeves?” Coran nodded. “Scars. They’ll always be there, reminding him of the hell he lived for two-almost three-months. Those months, all he had for support was me.”
“Oh. I see.” Coran sighed through his nose. “I’m sorry. For treating you that way. I just thought, you-you were brainwashing him, or forcing him to do this. I seriously misunderstood. Could you ever forgive me…?”
Keith smiled. “Of course. It’s a mistake that’s bound to happen many times.”
Coran looked sad at that statement. “Well, when we get to Altea, I’ll personally tell the King and Queen what you did, and with Lance backing you up too, they’re bound to approve of your engagement.”
Keith gasped. “You knew? About the engagement?”
Coran smiled slyly. “No. I was just confirming my theory.”
Keith chuckled. “Lance will be happy to hear.”
Lance woke and yawned, feeling for the strong male body beside him but sad to find it wasn’t there. “Keith?” He called.
Curious, Lance left their room, searching to find Keith. He was sure to find him bickering with Coran, but was surprised when they were laughing at Lance’s… what?
“Oh my god!” Lance wailed, seeing them looking at an album of his baby photos.
“Hey Lance!” Keith smiled. It was only then, he noticed, that they weren’t fighting for once.
“Hello, Prince! We’re just looking at some of your baby photos… oh, look! There you are with Allura!”
“Allura? Like, Lance’s sister?” Keith asked, looking over. Lance walked up to them and peered over their shoulders. He saw a picture of Allura, aged maybe two or three in a pink dress, and Lance in a nappy crawling next to her.
Lance slapped his hands over his eyes. “So embarrassing!” He cried.
Keith laughed. “Look at you! So adorable!”
“And oh, look, his nappy is full!” Coran giggled, watching Lance flush deep crimson with amusement.
“Shut up, ohmygoddd!” Lance cried, snatching the album. He looked at the photos of his home and frowned.
Coran seemed to understand. “Don’t worry, Prince. We’re only a week away.”
Lance gasped and dropped the album, Keith looking just as shocked. “Only a week?” Lance smiled, giddy.
Coran smiled back. “Only a week.”
Keith stood, a grin on his face, and enveloped Lance in one of the biggest hugs he’d ever had. But Keith was trembling, he noted with a frown. What’s wrong with him? Lance wondered. But he had a feeling he knew.
They were only a week away from Altea. Keith hugged Lance, hoping he could restrain his trembling with a tight hug by straining his muscles. He swore he could hear Lance’s frown, if only for the slight shift in his muscles.
“I need to go do something real quick.” Keith said, smiling too much to seem normal, and speed-walked out the room. He sped through the hallways upon leaving, and sprung into his and Lance’s room. He collapsed on the bed. God, what would they think of him? Seeing a galra leave that ship next to Lance… would they just kill him on sight? Would they let him and Lance get married? He put his elbows on his knees, head in hands, and cried. Heavy, panting breaths between ugly blubbers and sobs. No matter what happened, things just wouldn’t work out for them. But hey, they could try at least. A knock came on the door.
“Keith?” A tentative voice that could only be Lance’s spoke. “I’m coming in.” He said, more firmly. And sure enough, Lance entered, still looking fabulous even in the baggy blue flight gear Coran supplied for them.
“What is it?” Keith asked, cursing himself inwardly for giving away his distress. He didn’t want Lance worried, nor did he want Lance upset.
“I just wanted to know what’s wrong… I can tell something’s up.”
Keith sighed. Nothing got past Lance and his strange attentiveness. “It’s just… what will your people think of me? Will they kill me? Will they like me? Will they let us marry? I’m so worried, Lance.” Keith said, finally loosening up, letting worry tighten his throat and slice his words.
Lance pulled Keith into a tight hug, letting Keith bury his head in the crook of Lance’s neck. He felt safer, Lance’s hands stroking through his hair, tiny kisses wherever Lance felt the need to give, sweet nothings whispered into his ear. He felt his tears soaking through Lance’s clothes and dripping, but he didn’t think Lance cared.
“I love you so much, Lance.” Keith murmured, sniffling a little. They sat in silence for the rest of the night, slowly falling asleep.
Keith walked through the grassy plains, juniberry flowers rolling over the hills and stretching as far as the eye could see. He turned. A brown skinned boy with hair as white as clouds, eyes as blue as a spring, not summer, sky, and a smile as sweet as honey. Keith reached for him, but as soon as he touched the boy, he turned to dust. He gasped and fell to his knees. The grass lost its green colour and became barren. He looked to the sky. It was turning red. Keith turned and his brother was there.
“Shiro!”
“Keith…”
“Shiro! Are you okay, I-”
“Leave me alone. I died because of you.”
Keith fell to his knees. “No… that’s not why y-”
Shiro disappeared, and Keith was alone again.