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James walked around with his stuffed animal under his arm with his friends around him. They were all bickering about which game they should play next, and some arguing that they ran out of coins. But honestly, James just kind of wants to go with his boyfriend. Don’t get him wrong, he loves his friends, but Keith wore a scowl and did not look happy being at the festival. He thought he could brighten up Keith’s sky a little. James thought it felt like Clear Day all over again.
Before the festival, Shirogane had insisted for them to wear their casual clothes instead of the Paladins wearing their armor or the MFE pilots and Atlas crew wearing their uniform. He said they wanted them to be comfortable while riding rides and walking around. James was grateful for that; he really did not want the orange coat hugging him the entire time and risking it getting dirty.
So when James woke up in the morning with his usual unruly hair, he saw Keith already awake and groomed grabbing his paladin armor, he knew Keith would not being having fun today, but playing serious mall cop and patrolling the fair grounds for any enemy or suspicious activity.
But through gentle kisses on Keith’s face and soft words, he managed to persuade Keith into putting on regular, non-professional clothes, and to have fun with his friends, and de-stress as much as he could. Keith said he was doing it for him and only for him. James thought it was better than nothing.
James walked to the side by a bit and tapped Kinkade on the shoulder. The man hummed and turned to him.
“Sorry, but I’m going to go with Keith, okay?” James whispered to him. Kinkade just hummed in obvious in disinterest. James gave him a smile - and his stuffed animal- and managed to sneak away from his group without anyone noticing.
He was on a mission to find Keith. He saw him a couple of minutes earlier and he was definitely sure that his grumpy boyfriend could not have wandered far. As he aimlessly walked around, he appreciated the scenery around him. The sun was beginning to set, leaving clouds in beautiful shades of pinks and oranges, and the sky a mix of if as well. Children were running around and screaming in delight, almost as if they weren’t affected by the ongoing war. James almost found himself wondering how their innocence was preserved.
All around him, aromas of food filled the air, almost making his stomach growl, and the sound of music coming from each individual ride to fit the theme was dancing along with it.
And finally, he saw the paladins Hunk, Allura, Pidge, and Lance standing in a line for a ride chatting among themselves, their eyes shining and a childish smile painting their faces. Keith was standing outside the line, his arms crossed and his mouth turned down.
James walked over to him. The paladins’ greetings filled his ears and he greeted them back with a smile and a wave and a hug from Allura; Allura was always a hugger. Lance gave him a very weird look.
“Gonna make out with your boyfriend?” The Cuban asked, the corner of his mouth turned upward. James scoffed playfully and rolled his eyes.
”I just might, McClain.” James shot back, causing Lance to shake his head. “Can I steal him?”
“It’s not stealing if I know about it.” Keith interrupted.
”Keith,” Lance started. “Shush. The grownups are talking.”
”Last time I checked, I’m two years older than you. Thank fuck for the quantum abyss.”
James stopped their arguing before it even reached further by saying, “I’m taller than both of you, therefore, I am the bigger -quite literally- authoritative person.”
Keith and Lance both gasped at that, but didn’t argue any further, knowing James was right. It was never about age between the two paladins but about height. James never knew why but he wasn’t complaining.
“Yes! You can take him, so you guys can bond!” Allura squealed. She was always so invested in human relationships. Pidge and Hunk were too busy talking among themselves to even notice James taking Keith away.
They walked away from the line, and they were silent for a little before Keith spoke up.
“Why did you come to get me?” He asked, in an almost shy way.
James just shrugged. “Because you’re my boyfriend and because I love spending time with you and because you looked angry.” He answered.
“Oh.” Keith murmured. “I’m not angry.”
James lightly laughed at that. “Yes you are. You have this look on your face when you are, don’t think that I don’t know. We’ve been together for a long time. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I can’t tell what you’re feeling by your facial expressions?”
”Okay, you’re right. I am angry.” So James was right. “Like what are we doing here if we aren’t trying to scope out enemies? Seems kind of useless to me.” Keith muttered, his arms crossing.
“Because I’m pretty sure we have eliminated the Galra from Earth. Maybe not from the universe, but at least away from our home. We’re here because we all need to de-stress sometime. And you are no exception.” James replied honestly. “And I want you to have fun, okay? Let loose, stop trying to look out for bad guys because they aren’t here. Have fun.”’
Keith just grumbled to himself. James brought his hand up and pushed Keith’s arms down, breaking them from their crossed position and took his hand. He squeezed his gently and Keith squeezed it back.
James started to walk faster and Keith followed his lead, unsure to what he was doing but he didn’t care. James was looking over his head and behind him and to the side before making a turn and heading straight towards a space between two food stands.
Keith was confused until James gently pushed him against the wall.
“I’m sorry, you just look really good and I really want to make out with you.” James breathlessly whispered to him. Keith smiled and wrapped his arms around his neck before pulling him in and putting his lips against his.
It was..intense. Keith’s leg was above James’ hip and James’ leg was slotted between that open space. Keith’s hands were like curious ferrets that were out of control. His hands were almost greedy, touching him all over, never staying in one place, but never wanting them to. James was the same, but one hand had been tugging at Keith’s hair and at one point, James had tilted Keith’s head back so that his sharp jaw line was on show and so was his slender, pale neck. James could have devoured him right then and there, but he just placed his lips on his neck, very gently kissing and nipping. He reached down to his collarbone and sucked at the skin, leaving it red. Keith almost groaned at him, but he decided not to, he liked it.
They eventually pulled away, their hearts racing, their ears hot, and their lips slightly swollen and red. The air around them grew out and their exhales only made it hotter.
Keith breathlessly laughed. “I can’t believe we did that in a public space.” He covered his face with his hands to hide his reddening cheeks.
James let out an airy laugh and kissed his cheek. “I know. We’re animals, oh god.”
“At least it wasn’t like last time when we were cadets and after I looked like I was mauled by a vampire.” Keith said.
James chuckled at the memory, “If we weren’t in public, that would happen again.” Keith just rolled his eyes. “Anyways, I’m hungry, let’s go find something.”
Keith laughed and leaned up and placed a kiss on James’ nose.
They exited the dark space like nothing happened, and walked hand in hand around the grounds looking for a place to buy food from.
Keith was almost overwhelmed with the food choices. He didn’t even know what half of them were even if it was Earth food. He only lived on whatever the desert provided and what the Castle of Lions provided, and what the Atlas gave.
James smiled down at him when he caught Keith’s eyes widening in curiosity and surprise.
“How about we start with a churro?” James suggested, walking towards the food truck that advertised churros. Some with filling, others different flavor, the classic one, or mini churros in a cup.
Keith looked up at the menu. “I don’t know what to choose.”
”We should get the ones in a cup so we can share, yeah?” James replied. Keith nodded.
James ordered them and a water and paid then handed the cup to Keith as he grabbed napkins. Keith liked the warmth emanating from the cardboard cup, it almost felt like James’ warmth when he held his hand, James’ heat was better.
Keith eyed the sugary treat. It looked weird. They were like thick, wonky, tree stumps that looked like they were rolled in sand at the local beach. Keith sniffed them. They didn’t smell like much, other than warm dough and cinnamon sugar.
”Try it. I promise it’s good.” James nudged his shoulder. Keith looked at him then at the sticks of dough.
Keith pinched one in between his fingers then brought it up to his mouth and took a bite. It had a nice crunch to it, and it was still warm in his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully.
”Good?” James asked, his eyebrow slightly raised.
Keith nodded and took another bite. James took a churro out the cup and ate one himself. He wasn’t hungry, he just brought up the idea of sharing because he knew Keith wouldn’t eat something new if he was going to do it alone.
The paladin found himself enjoying the churros. It was better than everything he had ever tasted; he was more than disappointed when he realized he was chewing on the last stick.
James chuckled beside him. “I guess you really liked them?” Keith turned to him. On the corners of his mouth, he had crystals of sugar and his hand was sticky with it as well.
James brought a napkin up to his mouth and wiped it off. Keith’s cheeks burned. James poured water from the water bottle he bought onto a napkin, then placed Keith’s hand palm up and wiped his fingers and palm off.
“You’re so messy.” The pilot chuckled and Keith just sheepishly shrugged.
“Sorry.” Keith muttered. James lightly nudged his shoulder with his own.
They continued to walk around the fair, saying hi to people who waved at them and even rode some rides. Keith wasn’t a fan of the fast ones, but rather the slowish ones without loud noises. He doesn’t like loud noises. Keith really liked the Ferris Wheel and the shooting games James always beat him on. Keith complained that he was good with a sword not a gun.
James gave him his prize.
Keith grew tired. They rested on a bench.
“Do you want to go?” James asked when Keith’s head was resting on his shoulder. Keith mumbled in response. James took that as a yes.