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-ACT 3-
=FOREVER=
Hanami
Earth was healing. So was Volron. Part of the team’s group therapy was visiting places with personal meaning… a bittersweet healing through connection. This month it was Shiro’s turn to take them through his heart. He had insisted because it was more than just a place, it was a moment in time – hanami. That’s how the whole team, plus Coran and the mice found themselves having a picture-perfect picnic near Kyoto’s Hirano shrine. Well, what was left of it. The building may have been battered but nature persevered, the ethereal beauty of the sakura trees was still as enchanting. The Atlas captain was going on and on about the culture and traditions, giving detailed explanations about the location, the sake cups, the symbolism and everything in between, emphasizing on the meaning of every small facet.
On every other day Keith would be a captive audience but today what occupied his mind were the small brushes of Lance’s long fingers. Last month when they were at Varadero sharing in the former Blue Paladin’s Cuban heritage, there were the near constant stolen glances, but Keith was almost certain that those were meant for Allura, who more often than not was lingering at his side, having established an almost familial bond with the Voltron leader. But this… this could not be misinterpreted. And even if one could argue that most of those were accidental at best (truth be told the Cuban was really doing a lot of those subconsciously), Lance gently placing his palm over Keith’s was nothing short of intentional. Right? Right? Those were the thoughts running through his mind while he was staring at the sakura leaf gently floating atop his sake dish right next to the ever-warm tangle of fingers.
Keith’s brain was short-circuiting. He was running through his rolodex of social cues to interpret what was happening. Finally, he gave up and slowly let his gaze follow the intricate flower design of Lance’s kimono up to those deep ocean-blue orbs. He was surprised… than again maybe he shouldn’t have been … to see Lance already staring back at him. The gaze under those long lashes so far away from the confidence that Keith was used to seeing in his teammate.
“Keith…” barely whispered Lance as if to make sure there were no misunderstandings. “I’m scared…” there was so much longing dripping from just that one word.
Keith slowly moved his hand to entangle their fingers together, a soft sakura petal caught in between their burning palms.
“I’m… terrified, Lance…. but… but…” Keith’s whole body was shaking.
“But… but ‘us’ is worth trying, isn’t it?...” That softly spoken secure statement made the world stop for Keith. The early spring breeze came out of nowhere and suddenly they were in a bubble of their own surrounded by the most beautiful pinks. Like the warm safety and familiarity of a kotatsu, that promise was all he ever wanted. All both of them had ever really wanted.
“It is… We are just like that kintsugi cup, aren’t we?... Broken pieces, sealed together with gold…” Keith smiled, squeezing their joined hands while tucking a stray blossom behind Lance’s ear, fingers lingering just a tad. “Forever starts right now…”
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