Chapter Text
Keith tightened his grip on the hilt of his red lion, his eyes narrowed in determination But chatter from the communications in their lions is heard. Of course. there was one person on his team that always managed to get under his skin - Lance.
Lance, with his charismatic smile, boasted about his blue lion with annoying pride. They were constantly at odds, bickering and picking at each other like an old married couple.
Today, the tension between them was palpable as they trained in the ship's designated training area. Both armed with their swords, they sparred, This didn’t happen often if ever, in fact it happened by Suprise. Like usual afternoons when they aren’t fighting a new galra attack attempt, Keith spends that time training and focusing on getting better, whipping his sword at the ships training robots for practice and most times easily winning; and then in came lance.
he had noticed that lance doesn’t usually practice unless the others are or at least he doesn’t go to the castles training area to do so, but since they were both there and Keith on this day was unnecessarily annoyed decided, why not take some of that annoyance out on his ‘friend-rival-accuatance’. Keith swung his red sword with precision, his movements fluid and calculated. Lance, on the other hand, relied on his quick reflexes. Their swords clashed, the sound echoing through the room as they engaged in small shit talk. Keith was faster, more skilled when it came to head-on fights, and he could see Lance struggling to keep up, much to his amusement.
Soon enough, Lance found himself on the ground, Keith standing triumphantly above him “what's that? 7 to 2, better pick up the pace Lance” Keith smirked looking down at the brown haired boy laying on his back with his hands to his side and his sword feet away from him.
“You’re fighting dirty mullet” narrowing his brows he sits up a bit “if being better than you means I’m fighting dirty, then I guess I fight dirty” Lance shoved Keith to the ground with one swift quick motion Lance hovers over him “7 to 3” Keith shrugs “I’m still winning” a loud crash comes from the other side of the metal doors and it startled both of them both looking to the sound. Once again Keith takes advantage of lances distracted state and shoved him into the position they were in before.
Hunk yells from the kitchen that he dropped a few pans before Keith and Lance look at eachother again.
But instead of Keith reveling in his victory, Keith couldn't help but notice the softness in lances eyes. Beneath the rivalry, there was something more that they had both felt in that moment, something that made them comfortable in the silence. In that moment, Keith's competitiveness state melted away, leaving a raw and tender connection to linger between the two.
Without hesitating, Keith extended a hand to help Lance up. Their fingers touched, and a feeling of an electric jolt shot through both of them. It was as if something broken snapped back into place, As Lance stood, Keith's grip lingered, their eves locked and they fell into a comfortable silent state, Not a word was exchanged but for once they felt at ease with one another.
In that brief instant, their rivalry had melted away into a connection they couldn't deny, but if anyone had asked them they would've shot it down without a second thought.
And then, as if moved by an invisible force, their faces drew closer. The world around them faded into oblivion, leaving only their breaths mingling in the space between them. In that moment, Keith drew in completely, their lips meeting in a tender, hesitant embrace.
Lances hand hesitantly lifts to tangle in Keith’s short but long mullet drawing him closer, Keith pushes up into lances lips harder gripping his grunge green jacket and tightening his fingers around the two unzipped parts.
It was a kiss that was tender and full of hesitance, in that short moment, they both thought that just maybe, beneath the bickering and rivalry, there might be something sweeter. something real. But as quickly as it had begun, their moment had ended. They pulled away, both their eyes widen with surprise and uncertainty, maybe fear as well. Emotions swirled within them, leaving them both breathless, speechless, and most of all confused .
Both of their faces hot and flushed, lances stumbled back for a moment and Keith’s usual confidence was gone. “what- I- we?” Lance's words don’t fall out and smooth and cocky as they usually do. Gulping Keith steps closer “shit- Lance, we don’t- we don’t have to like, talk about this I uhm— it was just the heat of the moment type thing“Lance shakes his head “no- I think we do. I just um… maybe like later? Like tonight I- I need to think” Keith nods in agreement. before lance quickly turns to walk out of the room, his hand over his face in clear embarrassment.
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