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When Maxir leaves, Keith hands Lance his drink and they both grab a seat in the VIP area. From here they can see a lot of aliens dancing on the floor below. The VIP area is basically like a small balcony with seats so you have the whole view of the ballroom.
“So, what were you guys talking about?” Lance asks as he takes the first sip, even though he already knows, but he kiiinda wants to hear it again. Sue him, it’s not like he gets to hear Keith gushing about him daily.
“oh nothing really, He was just really nervous to ask you for an autograph directly, so he found me since it looked like I was the closest to you. Kind of like how people grab their crush’s best friend to talk about them because they get too shy to directly talk to their crush you know?”
“hmm, so what was he saying other than wanting my autograph?”
Keith looks amused at that question,” fishing for compliments are we??”
“Wh-what? Nooo….” Lance splutters.
“pfff, relax man, he was just gushing about you, like how smart you are and strong, how your personality shines, etc etc.”
“so what did you reply?”
“I agreed… told him that he’s right and that I will take your autograph for him…”
Lance could see how desperately Keith was trying to hide the fact that he was excitedly talking about him, but it’s fine, seeing him flustered is enough for now.
“uh-huh, so that’s it? Then I found you?”
“y-yeah, basically,” Keith says avoiding eye contact.
Lance hums and leaves the conversation at that. After watching the people dance for a while, Keith speaks up, breaking the comfortable silence they had fallen into.
“have you…um, never mind..”
“what? You can’t just start a question and leave it? Now I’m super curious man!!” Lance chuckles.
Keith looks a bit hesitant, bites his lip, sighs, and then finally asks,
“have you ever had a crush on someone?”
“wh-where did that come from???!!” Omg Keith, you looking for gossip??” Lance teases.
Keith smiles,” nothing…just you know I was explaining the conversation with Maxir by giving an example of crushes and all, so I just got curious if you have had crushes…” he shrugs.
The fact that his crush was asking him if he has a crush on anyone is just…hilarious in Lance’s opinion.
Also, a complete torture, because what is he supposed to say now?
“Yes yes I do have a crush man, and it’s YOU! and I am absolutely head over heels in love with you, hope that clears your doubts, any more questions?”
Ha, of course, that’s not what he says, instead :
“well, yeah, I’ve had crushes, during high school, then at the garrison too, even now, yeah..”
Keith’s eyes widen at the last words...
Oops…
“even NOW?? who? Do I know them??”
“why? Are you jealous? Hm?”Lance teases again, recovering from the slip up quickly
“wha- NOOO, I um, it’s just a surprise is all, you know how we share everything with each other nowadays, so I thought you would have told me already if you liked someone…”Keith rubs his arm in nervousness.
“oh,” Lance says as he realizes that this is a serious conversation they’re having, “well, I also realized it very recently you know, I was gonna tell you soon..”
“oh, ok, so…”
“so?”
“so, can I ask who this lucky person is that has our Loverboy charmed?” Keith asks with a smile, even though his own heart was hurting..
Lance flushes red though, doesn’t know what to say now..
“take a guess..”
/Wrong move Mcclain/
“hmm, Allura?”
“pff, no buddy, that was just light flirting, I was never serious about her..”
“so you’re serious about this person?”
“I-I don’t know? It’s really new to me so..”
“ok..”
Before Keith could take another guess at this mysterious crush, Lance interrupts him with a question of his own
“what about you though? Any crushes?” Lance asks, desperately trying to divert the attention from himself.
“huh? Oh, um well…yeah”
And, Lance has never seen Keith this red before, whoaaaa he never knew Keith could blush like that.
DAMN
“I, I do have a crush, and I’ve had this crush for a long time actually…”
“oh…”
“yeah uhh, sorry I never told you before, just never came up… and before you ask me who it is, know that I can’t tell you, not yet at least, but I’ll tell you eventually I promise…”
“hmm, ok, then I will tell you who my crush is when you tell me yours.” Lance declares
“wha-? ughhh fiiineee, I guess that’s fair” Keith sighs.
Noticing the awkwardness of the situation and the way his heart is burning with the fact that his crush likes someone else, Lance tries to uplift the mood.
He clears his throat, catching Keith’s attention
“May I have this dance?” Lance smiles
Keith looks a bit shocked by the question,” you know I can’t dance Mcclain”
“I know, you dork, I thought you’ll appreciate a few dance lessons so that you can impress your crush later you know” Lance replies, his hand still raised to take Keith’s hand in his.
Keith smirks,“ fine, lead the way Loverboy”
(the irony of the situation isn’t lost on Keith, his crush is basically teaching him how to impress himself.)
Lance grins, takes his hand, and leads them downstairs to the ballroom.
But when they finally reach there and get into their positions, with Lance’s hand on Keith’s waist and Keith’s hand on his shoulder, Lance notices how nervous Keith is…unable to make eye contact and fumbling his steps completely.
“hey” he calls out softly
Keith looks up at him tensed by all the people watching them.
“Just follow my lead okay? all we need to do is sway to the music, don’t think about people watching us”
“easier said than done…” Keith huffs.
Suddenly Lance gets an idea
“oh wait, hey we have this!!” he exclaims as he takes out the time jewel from his pocket.
“how’s that going to help?- Oh!!”
Lance grins and brings the time jewel in front of them,” ready?” he asks as he places his finger on half of the button, urging Keith to place his finger on the other half.
“ready” Keith smiles as they both press the button together.