Lament of Lovers

They’d made these a couple months ago, in case the absolute worst happened. Pidge had suggested it when they were all drunk on late nights and proximity with those they loved, and the next morning, they actually put their plan into play on a more somber note.

None of them ever thought they would actually need to use them, let alone so soon.

“Do you wish to create a new save file?” The automated Altean voice asked as soon as the little data stick was plugged in.

Keith’s breath stuttered in his throat, but he fought to keep it together. It was the least he could do… for him and for himself.

“Yes.” He replied as clearly as he could. He was surprised that his voice sounded as strong as it did. But he knew it wouldn't last, not once the save file was created, and--

“Hey, man.”

Upon hearing his voice, a sob wracked out of Keith’s chest before he could even think of smothering it down. The scene around him shifted slowly, fading in with the sound of waves lapping against a shore. What was dark, only illuminated by the blue lights highlighting the walkway turned to sand, filling the space with the warm blue of the ocean.

And standing above him, was the love of his life.

He looked just as he remembered, before everything went down. Casually tousled hair that Keith loved to thread his fingers through, bright blue eyes that practically sparkled when he smiled, and that infuriating mouth that just did things to Keith.

Now, the only way he could see it was here, a mockery of the real, beautiful thing.

“L--” Keith couldn’t even bring himself to say his name, had no right to say his name. The tears that were welling up in his eyes finally spilled over, trailing hot tracks down his cheeks. He was hit with the sudden realization that Lance always wiped away his tears, and it left him even more hollow than he felt walking in.

Lance crouched down in front of him, his lips turned down in a frown. Keith hated it when he frowned. It pulled the scar at the corner of his lip, making it look more garish than it actually was. “Baby,” Lance cooed, and reached out to cup his cheek. But just as his fingertips were about to come into contact, they fizzled out. He looked shocked for a moment, before realization settled in and his face fell for the briefest of moments. But he was quick to put on a reassuring smile, which was somehow worse.

“I’m so sorry.” Keith whispered brokenly. His knees suddenly gave out from under him, and he crumpled against the side of the platform, the contraption that now held his love’s memories, his data. Like he was never even here at all. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“Mi amor, this was not your fault.” Lance soothed, and crouched down so he was at Keith’s eye level again. Just like he always did, something about always being on the same playing field. “I always said I wanted everything stored on a giant ship. Looks like I got my wish.”