Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It started like this:

They received a distress signal from a planet called Dopnol. As the castle approached, instead of Galra fleets, there was a lone creature barrelling through the solar system straight to the shimmering blue planet that desperately called out to team Voltron. The size of it makes it seem capable of devouring the planet whole, which they guessed was its intention. 

"It's just an aggressive space whale, basically." Lance stretched his arms in front of him casually. "This will be a piece of cake." 

Keith rolls his eyes and ignores the thought that he finds Lance's confidence attractive. He smirks as he throws Lance's helmet to him. "Try not to get in my way."

Insults are an easy way to avoid any warmth bubbling in his chest any time he looks at Lance. 

Lance scoffs as he catches his helmet and races after Keith, mumbling some sort of insult. The rest of the team followed behind. 

It ended like this:

The Red lion's face was buried in the soft mud of a moon, having been propelled near the planet, to which the creature was advancing. The Blue lion was buried beneath a cloud of spores, having crash landed on the other of the planet's moons. Both stuck out like pathetic flagpoles, announcing the incompetence of their team. The other lions joined in on the fight, blasting the creature until it seemed to have taken enough damage to become dormant. 

The flight back to the castle was silent. Shiro hauled Red while Hunk took Blue. Neither operating at the moment.

On the bridge, the two paladins were met with a screaming look of disappointment from Allura.

"How appalling."

They both held their heads low, both knowing how embarrassing that fight was. If they couldn't beat that creature, how could they possibly save the universe? 

Lance dared to glance up at Keith, who was now pointing at him.

"This idiot flew right in front of me as I was about to fire at it!"

Lance's face twisted and he wasted no time pointing back.

"You were the one who got in the way! You were just gawking at the thing!" 

"Enough!" It seemed Allura had neither the patience nor the tolerance for their bickering after...all that. "At least the rest of the team subdued the creature for now. That buys us time to devise a plan."

The rest of the team stayed silent as Allura gathered her composure. Shiro was covering his eyes with his hand, seemingly just as embarrassed about the whole thing as the two bickering pilots. Pidge struggled to keep her snickering quiet while Hunk kept his gaze on the floor, wiping a non-existent smudge with his foot.

Coran jumped in to fill the silence. "It's a Guttorp! Its weakness is at the centre of its chest. It's sensitive to extreme temperature changes."

"That means the Red and Blue lions with their fire and ice beams are our best bet. However," Allura continued, letting out an exasperated sigh, "you two will need to go through some synchronization training. It needs to be hit with your two beams at the same exact time to cause a reaction that will shatter the creature's core and destroy it, effectively killing it." 

Keith huffed and crossed his arms as he turned his back to Lance. He knows Lance will throw a fit at having to work with him. When no protesting words came out of the blue paladin, Keith dared a look. Lance was already looking at him with an expression Keith rarely ever sees on him. It almost looks like disappointment. That somehow hurts more than the familiar outrage. Lance quickly looks away, turning his attention on the princess. A smile instantly spreads on his face. Keith tries to ignore the feeling of bitterness brewing inside of him. 

"What, will we be doing synchronized swimming in the pool or something?" His playful tone betrayed none of the disappointment previously present. 

Allura looked at him with a deadpan expression simply uttering. "No."

In the middle of the training room stood two pads divided into nine equal squares, a handle in front of it. Pidge and Hunk were silently discussing the possible training exercises Allura has in store for them, progressively getting more and more outlandish in their guesses. Lance shifted nervously, sparing a glance at Keith. The latter seemed utterly indifferent to the whole situation, standing as usual with his arms crossed, expression unreadable. Lance sighed.

His reaction on the bridge had made a heavy weight settle in his chest. Lance knows they don’t get along, but somehow it still hurts seeing Keith be so apprehensive towards working with him. He knows his whole attitude towards Keith only worsens his chances of ever growing closer. Maybe this is his chance to change that. They have to put aside this stupid rivalry to work together. Maybe after this they can actually become something closer to friends. Lance gently pushes away the thought of being something more than that. As if I have a chance.

Allura drags in a solid black box, almost the size of Pidge, setting it down near the pads.

“What is that?” Pidge pokes curiously at the object. 

“A speaker.” Allura says, hands on her hips, a determined look set on her face. 

They all raise an eyebrow, but none of them voice any questions, knowing she’ll explain everything in a moment anyway. 

“These pads will light up on different sections, indicating where you need to step. The indicator will alternate between the two pads so you both need to pay attention to each other as well as the pad.” She taps the speaker and a steady beat fills the training deck. ”The music will help you get into the rhythm.”

“So this is a space DDR machine?!” Lance exclaimed with excitement.

"I don't know what DDR is." Allura said.

"We're gonna be dancing?" Keith seemed almost offended. 

"Come on, Keith, you’re turning down the DDR machine?!" Lance feigned a gasp. "Think you can't handle the challenge?"

Lance might want to put the rivalry behind him, but riling up Keith is way too easy and right now he is not going to miss out on the opportunity to bust a move on account of his grumpy teammate. Keith glanced over, eyebrows raised, his usual scepticism flickering in his eyes. Lance had already started tapping his feet, clicking his fingers to the beat, a challenging smile on his face. 

"Fine." Keith gives in.

Lance bounces over to one of the pads, throwing off his jacket and rolling up his sleeves. He gives Keith a pointed look to say he should take this seriously, too. Keith rolls his eyes and shrugs off his own jacket, stepping on his own pad. 

"This isn't fair. They get to dance while we get our asses kicked by the training bots." Pidge grumbles. 

"Language." Shiro sighs. 

"Do you think Allura will let us try it out after?" Hunk leans in to whisper to Pidge.

"You're getting wrecked, big guy." A mischievous smile spreads across Pidge's face. 

The pads powered on when the two made contact with them. Lance's pad buzzed under his feet and he found a square emitting a soft blue glow. He stepped on it and the pad displayed a big red cross. Confused, he looked up. Keith was standing perfectly still, arms once again crossed over his chest. 

"Keith, you have to follow what Lance does while your pad is in blind mode. Two more strikes and you're getting electrocuted." Allura said while crossing her arms, mocking Keith's position.

"Okay, I'm having second thoughts about trying this out." Hunk stated with a nervous tilt to his voice. 

"Keith, this is easy, just follow my lead." Lance jumped back onto the pad, flashing a thumbs-up at Keith.

Keith rolled his eyes but readied his stance. 

The squares lit up again. Lance stepped on each one while adding his own flare to the movement. Aside from the prospect of having an electric shock burst through him, he's having fun. Despite Keith being as tense as a stretched rubber band, he steps in time with Lance. A giddy feeling bubbles up in Lance, thinking they can actually work together. 

The lights switch off on Lance's pad, meaning it's Keith's turn to lead. Lance sees Keith take a step and the buzz of a strike rings out. It had two lit up squares, Keith missed one of them. He throws his hands up in the air, frustration brewing. Lance tried not to show his own frustration show. Keith looks like he just ate a lemon.

"It's fine, let's try again." Lance ushers him on. His excitement now being replaced with a light nervousness at the looming loss. 

This time they manage to step in time. Having only one strike left until doom is making Lance concentrate harder, he opts to look at Keith's pad, hoping to catch the steps with no delay. Failing to look at his own pad he accidently slips and misplaces his foot, ending in their final strike. A sudden jolt of electricity seizes up his muscles and he almost yelps. It only lasts a few seconds, but it's definitely not something he wants to experience again. He dares a glance at Keith, who looks just about ready to murder him.

"Do it again." Allura commands. And both of them know better than to argue. 

It only goes downhill from there. They reach their other three strikes faster than the first time. Lance having missed when it was his turn to watch the pad's squares light up. Then Keith taking too long to fall into step. Then both of them missing a square entirely. The second time getting shocked is just as bad as the first. And Lance curses his naivety of thinking Allura's training can actually be fun. 

They both hover over their pads, dreading another round of inevitable failure. To their relief, their training session is cut short. 

"Okay, that's enough." Allura's voice rang out over the music. 

"Wow, that was hard to watch." Pidge deadpanned. Shiro elbowed her. "Sorry." 

"The creature should be incapacitated for a whole movement, you have until then to work on this..." she gestures vaguely at them.

"Disaster?" Pidge supplies, earning another elbow from Shiro.

Ignoring Pidge's input, Allura continues. "I'll set up a training plan." 

Keith went straight to his room after being dismissed. He would've stayed in the training room as per usual, but right now he feels like even the walls there are mocking him for the "performance" earlier. Face buried in his pillow, he groans. All he wanted was a chance to work together and maybe stop bickering for at least five minutes. Keith's cheeks flush remembering the way Lance moved to the music at first, the way a relaxed smile lit up his face and his eyes seem to shine a little brighter. He curses himself silently. 

Lance is warm and cheerful. He always knows how to lighten the mood and in, all honesty, he keeps the team sane. Well, everyone aside from Keith, who is losing his mind over him. He anticipates the little back taps or an arm over his shoulder after a successful mission. Basking in the feeling of Lance's warmth being directed at him at least for a little bit. And that should be enough, they're teammates after all, but Keith is like a starved animal being thrown crumbs, craving the meal. 

It's such a faraway thing. Keith knows Lance can't be his, knows he can't have his soft smiles be directed at him, knows Lance could never look at him with fondness in his eyes. Not just because they're "rivals" (Keith has always resented that title), but also because Lance is straight and most likely in love with Allura. He tries to act like Lance's flirting annoys him for different reasons than jealousy. But as much as he squashes down that ugly feeling, it still rears its head each time. 

If only they could at least be friends, that'd be enough. Keith lies to himself. 

It's the dawn of a new day. Lance wakes up with a new determination. He'll be damned if he gives up on their chance to grow closer. Sure, it was Lance who started the whole rivalry thing between them, but he freaked out, okay? He didn't know how to deal with this gorgeous and beyond talented man. Pretending to have a constant problem with him in everything helped keep his sanity. For a bit. Despite his fear of his affections leaking out, he knows they need to work together. And he's now brave enough to admit he would much rather get along with Keith even if it's just a friendship. Even that would be enough. It would hurt. But it would have to be enough. 

He saunters into the dining room, where everyone was already seated with their filling of green goop. Lance grabs his own bowl and sits down next to Keith. The latter boy briefly glances at him, quickly gluing his eyes to his breakfast. Hunk quirks an eyebrow at him, a knowing smile spreading on his face. Lance mouths the words "shut up" as his face grows warm. 

"Since you're here, I'll tell you the plan for today." Allura folds her hands on the table. "You'll do a mind melding exercise."

"That's pretty tame." Lance blurts out, having expected some rigorous training after yesterday's failure. 

"Also you two will be doing everything together from now on. Eating, sleeping, walking, every minute of everyday you'll need to work together."

Wait, wait, wait. Did she say sleeping together? Lance swallowed thickly, refusing to look at Keith, knowing his face would set on fire. While Allura continued into the details of their training, Lance's mind raced. There's no way Keith would agree to something like this even if it's for a mission. The guy hates his guts! There's no way. Lance couldn't get a wink of sleep if, in theory, which is totally implausible, Keith agreed to this. His heart is already racing at the mere prospect of sleeping next to him. His traitorous mind brings up images of Keith snuggled up in blankets, face slack and relaxed, quietly snoring while his dark hair spilled out over his pillow like creeping tendrils of the night sky.  

That's it, Lance can't do this. 

"I'm sorry, but how exactly are we going to sleep...uhm... t-together..?" Lance's voice squeaked. 

Allura must have moved on far beyond that point as her eyebrows furrow in confusion and she presses her lips in a thin line before speaking.

"There are extra rooms in this castle, which can accommodate two people." she said as if she had to repeat herself. "Also I've already prepared matching outfits."

Matching out- What.   

"Is all this necessary? Can't we just time the shots and take it out while the thing is dormant?" Keith cut in. His expression is definitely one of displeasure. Lance expected this, but he still deflates. 

"With the way you two are right now, I have very little faith you'd pull that off." Allura's tone was firm, making it clear she won't budge on this matter. Doesn't mean Keith isn't stubborn enough to try.

"But the outfits? How are those supposed to help?" Keith threw his arms up. 

He's worried about the outfits? Not the sleeping together part? Lance feels a spark of hope rise in his chest and quickly stomps it out.

"You have to sync up in every way possible, you're not getting out of this. The outfits will cement the idea in your heads that you are a pair." Lance's heart skips a beat at being called a pair with Keith. If only it was under different circumstance. Allura leans down and pulls out the outfits in question. 

"Now go get changed and meet us in the training room." she said while handing them over.

Lance watched with slight shock as Keith snatched the outfit out of her hand and stormed out of the dining room. Okay, so they're really doing this. He quickly followed suit. 

When the two boys were gone Shiro leaned in to Allura.

"Are the outfits actually necessary?" His voice betrayed slight concern. 

Allura smiled and shook her head. "No, that's just for my own entertainment." She whispered back, holding back a chuckle.

What. The. Fuck. 

Keith unfolded the outfit, which was a skin tight bodysuit matched with a red crop top. If Allura wasn't a literal princess and an absolute vital part in the fight against Galra, Keith would've threatened to kill her for this. As it was, he had more fear and respect for her than he was embarrassed, though it's a pretty close call. He begrudgingly slipped into the new clothes. The bodysuit came down to his thighs, essentially working as tight shorts connected to a tank top. The crop top had a loose neck hole making it hard to keep it from slipping off his shoulder. Keith has half a mind to just abandon this monstrosity and defy Allura, but part of him really wants for them to succeed. So if he has to wear this stupid garment so be it. 

It took some mental preparation for him to actually leave his room and head to the training deck. 

Just like yesterday, the rest of team were gathered on the side-lines, ready to watch another disaster unfold before them. Pidge's grin looked like it was about to split her face as she eyed Keith. He glared at her warningly.

"I don't appreciate the audience." Keith grumbled. 

"Too bad, this is too good to pass up." Pidge shot back. 

"We're just here as moral support." Shiro squeezed his shoulder in reassurance, but Keith has known him long enough to know he's just as amused by this as Pidge is.

----

Lance was already sitting by the headbands scattered on the floor when Keith came in. He momentarily forgot how to breathe, seeing how well the bodysuit hugged Keith's muscles. And as the top slipped off his shoulder, Lance struggled to keep his thoughts pure. He noticed he was staring with his mouth agape and quickly shut his mouth. Lance felt a little silly wearing it but Keith could really pull off anything. With that thought, he tugged on the collar of his blue top self-consciously. The red paladin joined him on the floor, avoiding Lance's gaze. Lance took a sudden interest in the headband he was fidgeting with. 

They've done plenty of mind melding exercises with the team before and Lance has never had a problem reeling back his...feelings towards a certain paladin. But it's never been just the two of them. This somehow feels more intimate. His emotions will be clear as day, uninterrupted by the other four usually present haze of emotions. And this time they won't be focusing on Voltron, they'll be focusing on each other. 

He was just as curious to find out what Keith's mind is like as he was terrified of his own mind being known. Lance took extra care to clear his thoughts that often clutter his head. Keith doesn't need to know just how many glances Lance steals and the way he feels about it. 

"Just like any other drill..." Lance said, more so to calm himself than to anyone in the room. Keith nodded at his words, a familiar scowl on his face.

Swallowing the anxiety, he put on his headband and instantly felt the other presence in his mind. Lance knew Keith put up walls harder than steel so he didn't put much hope into getting anything tangible form him. But he could already tell Keith was tense and anxious as he often is with this kind of intrusiveness. Though he probably could've guessed that without having him in his head. Lance felt Keith's presence poke at his mind and, with a little hesitance, let him in, concentrating hard to not show anything too embarrassing.

Lance knew they weren't on the best terms so when instead of the expected apprehension, he felt genuine curiosity and an uncharacteristic shyness, he felt pleasantly surprised. Somehow knowing Keith of all people felt shy sends a wave of affection through him before he can shut it down. Keith's surprise shoots through him and Lance nearly panics. So much for keeping his big fat crush to himself.

Instead of retracting from him, Keith latched on harder. Desperately wanting to control the damage, Lance scrambled for something to show him as a distraction. He thought about the time he secretly got drunk with his cousins at a wedding and stumbled around the dancefloor like it belonged to him. The image clear as day, him flailing his limbs, hitting innocent bystanders while his equally drunk cousins shouted encouraging things to him.  

And then Keith laughed. Actually laughed. It echoed through the room warm and effortlessly, it was like sunlight peeking through the blinds, draping over him with a gentle warmth. He wanted to hear this sound forever. He couldn't help the wave fondness swelling up inside and he laughed too. Keith's sudden shock reminded him that his feeling were not private at the moment. Two strikes already. Before his own panic could peek its head, Keith pulled him with something daring. Curiosity overtaking him, Lance reached out to Keith's mind.  

Lance felt Keith's shyness again mixed with a hint of fondness so small he might've imagined it. Keith was still holding a lot back. His mind stayed mostly blank, only glimpses of emotion present. Until an image of Lance sniping sentries with expertise popped up. He watched himself run through the battlefield, taking a knee for a stable shot, quickly rolling out of the way of fire. A feeling of proudness accompanied the images. Lance couldn't believe Keith felt proud of him. He didn't think Keith even paid attention to him. So he doesn't hate me?

"I never hated you." Keith said out loud. Lance would've said he looked angry if not for the feeling of confusion and utter sincerity radiating through his mind. 

Lance sighed with relief. "Me too." he said to answer an unasked question bubbling in Keith's mind.

Relief and an unnamed warmth spread through both of them and they were laughing together again. 

"Okay, watching them talk through their minds is kind of freaky." Hunk said, grimacing. 

"Yeah, they're being super gross right now." Pidge mimicked Hunk's expression. 

Allura clapped her hands to bring the attention to her. "Now try the step exercise with the mind meld headbands on. See what difference it makes."

The pair complied without dramatics. Although Keith still looked as uncomfortable as the first time. Lance slightly nudged him with his shoulder, sending a smile and a string of comfort through his mind. That seemed to ease Keith's nerves somewhat. 

The music echoed through the room again. The pair started off with steady steps, falling in sync. Feeling experimental Lance tried to throw in a spin on the next step and, to everyone's surprise, Keith spun at the same exact time. Both of them halted their dance to look at each other with dumbfounded expressions before breaking out in smiles. The next few moves they breezed through, picking up speed as they went. 

Lance could feel Keith become more comfortable, they were finally working together smoothly and Lance was having fun. Step after step they moved almost as one, incomparable to the way they were just the day before. Lance imagined what it would be like to move this fluidly in battle. He got swept up in the high of their good streak and started throwing in more dramatic moves. It's when he kicked out his leg to step on the upper square that his shin collided with the cold, hard handle.

He grabbed onto his leg, hopping on the other one, exclaiming profanities.

"I guess the mind meld doesn't account for spatial awareness." Lance gushes through gritted teeth.

"How about you just try doing it like a normal person instead of trying to pull off gymnastics." Keith remarked without his usual bite.

"Okay, you can stop here for now." Allura stepped up to them. "See, this is what I want from you. Spend more time bonding with the headbands after dinner."

"Yes, ma'am" Lance groaned out. 

He made his way over to Hunk, needing the familiar comfort of a friend. He was met with a smile and a pat on the back. 

"Good job out there, you were, like, totally kicking ass together." 

"Thanks, buddy." Lance smiled and leaned onto Hunk, who laughed in return. 

"If only you had this mind meld thing when you asked Carlos to dance at prom." 

Lance chuckled at the memory of too many crushed feet on the school dancefloor. He glanced up to Keith, who was already staring his way but quickly turned away as soon as their eyes met. Lance shrugged and dramatically asked Hunk to carry him to dinner, wishing Keith's gaze lingered on him just a little longer. 

After dinner they found themselves alone. The rest of the team made their own excuses as to why they wouldn't be watching them. Though it was obvious Pidge and Hunk felt plainly uncomfortable with the whole ordeal. Allura said she'd record their practice as she had 'diplomatic matters' to attend to. 

Keith felt uneasy about this exercise, especially being alone with Lance, not even an audience present. Even though earlier it went pretty well. He was surprised to find out Lance actually didn't hate being around him. Judging from the emotions that welled up in Lance, Keith dared to think they actually could come to a mutual understanding of each other. It was the first time an interaction between them didn't end in a shouting match. That being said, Keith had to restrain himself from slamming his head into wall as he remembered what he showed to Lance during the mind meld. The proudness he sent out. He might as well have waved a huge banner with "I'm in love with Lance McClain" written on it.

He doesn't trust himself not to do something stupid like that again. He has half a mind to just turn on his heel and run, but Lance is still here, still wanting to work with him. Keith feels like he couldn't let him down like that. He couldn't let the Dopnol people down like that. They're doing this to save an entire race of living beings. Keith should swallow his silly feelings and get on with it.

With a renewed determination Keith sat down opposite of Lance, who had been waiting cross-legged, mouth upturned into a slight smile, eyes closed. He took a moment to take in this calm image of Lance. He took in the details of his profile, the way slight dimples carve out his cheek when he smiles, the faint freckles littering his nose, drawing constellations on his warm skin. Lance opened his eyes and Keith averted his, pretending to have only glanced his way. A blush betraying him. 

"Ready to take a dive in this genius of a mind?" Lance's signature smirk made its way onto his face. 

Keith's brow furrowed at Lance's playful boasting, but there was an odd sort of warmth in his chest at the idea. He felt vulnerable, but also strangely excited. He wanted desperately to know what goes on under Lance's boisterous façade. If only Lance will let him in. 

"Show me what you got, Sharpshooter." Keith said with a playful tilt to his voice that was way too close to flirting. He mentally slapped himself for that. 

Lance seemed to struggle to stammer out a response so he just settled the headband on, closing his eyes tight. Keith followed the action. Lance seemed to have managed to calm himself down, a far off feat for Keith. He tried his best to mimic Lance's relaxed posture even as his thoughts ran wild. Opening up his mind is nerve-wracking. Keith is used to keeping his distance even form Shiro in some aspects. But Lance persistently manages to push Keith to see beyond the walls he has built around himself. Maybe that's why he's so willing to try despite the anxiety. 

Keith took a slow breath, pushing aside all thoughts. He could feel Lance’s presence across from him, the way his breathing seemed to sync with his own. He focused on that, on the rhythm of their shared space, letting it ground him. For a moment, there was only stillness. Then, the connection came. It wasn’t sudden, but a gradual pulling, like a magnetic force that gently tugged him forward. Keith’s eyes snapped open, surprised by the wave of warmth that washed over him. He could feel Lance’s presence inside his mind now, not intrusive, but there—steady and clear. 

His nerves settled. He felt Lance's mind inviting him in and slowly Keith followed the invitation. Images began to flow through his mind—memories, feelings, moments from his past. He could see Lance, but it wasn’t just Lance as he knew him—it was deeper. Keith saw flashes of moments that Lance had experienced, moments of vulnerability that he’d never shared out loud. There was a tenderness in Lance’s thoughts, an openness that made Keith’s chest tighten in a way he hadn’t expected. 

He felt breathless from the onslaught of different information flowing through him. But he drank it all up because it was Lance. All of those feelings and thoughts were Lance and he couldn't get enough. He just hoped his eagerness didn't shine through. He could feel Lance’s joy from memories of his family, his hope of seeing them again, the lightness he carried even in the hardest of times. Keith felt himself get swept up in it. But there were darker thoughts too, fears, insecurities that Keith had never guessed. The way Lance sometimes doubted himself, how he questioned if he was enough for the team, for Keith. 

Wait.

"Lance." Keith opened his eyes in shock. A flurry of emotion swirling inside of him. 

Lance sat there, eyes wide and frozen like a deer caught in headlights. 

Keith's voice came out soft and hesitant. "What do you mean you think you're not enough for...me?" Keith's heart pounded. It took everything he had not to let his mind race. 

Lance seemed to have come out of his stupor. "I just- I mean, you’re always so... so perfect, Keith. Every time I try to keep up, I just- I fall short. I don’t know how to be as good as you are..." 

Keith’s heart sank, his eyes softening as he took in the hurt in Lance’s voice, the overwhelming feeling of not being enough. He never realized how much Lance compared himself to him, how much he carried this weight of expectation. Lance, with all his cocky bravado, was struggling, and it hit Keith harder than he expected. The sudden realization left him momentarily speechless.

Lance shifted uncomfortably, not looking at him, his arms tightly crossed over his chest. Sudden wave of shame radiating from him . Noticing he'd stayed silent too long, Keith finally spoke, voice soft and sincere.

"Lance, you don’t need to measure up to me, or anyone else." Keith took a deep breath before continuing. "You’re the heart of this team. You keep us together, keep us going when everything else feels like it’s falling apart. We’ve gotten through all of this shit because of you. And how many times has your quick thinking saved our asses out there?"

Keith let himself translate the sincerity and concrete belief in what he said. Embarrassment be damned, Lance needed to know just how much he means to everyone. Lance's shoulders sagged and he let out a chuckle that sounded more like a breath he'd been holding.

"Wow, I must've hit my head. You complimenting me?" Some of Lance's usual temperament returned, a grin adorning his face. Keith rolled his eyes and lightly punched his shoulder, though a smile of his own betrayed him.

Despite the comment, Keith could feel Lance's self-consciousness. "Do you really mean that? You don’t think I’m just... some guy who’s lucky to be here?" Lance finally met Keith's gaze and he firmly kept his eyes on him to emphasize his next words, forgetting Lance could feel his truthfulness.

"I mean every word of it, Lance. You’re a huge part of this team. Don’t ever think you’re anything less than that." Keith smiled when he felt Lance send a wave of gratitude towards him.

"Thanks, Keith." Lance said quietly, his grin turning into a soft smile. 

Keith wanted to keep that expression on him forever.

 After cutting the mind meld training short, they went back to their rooms to change into matching pyjamas as insisted by Lance. Allura was standing in the hall, arms crossed and eyebrow raised in challenge.

"We're going to our room, we just have to grab some stuff first." Lance groans. Allura seems to be satisfied with the answer and walks off without a word, only a pointed look for good measure.

Keith tried not to think about how much he liked the sound of our room coming from Lance. 

Both of them knew what awaited them next. The walk to their new room was quiet, neither of them said a word. Neither knew what to say to make the ordeal about sleeping together less freakout worthy. 

They both stared at the single bed in the middle of the room like it was their death sentence. Neither dared to make the first move towards it despite being exhausted. Keith wanted desperately to break this awkward, loaded silence between them, but he was at a loss for words. He was this close to just opt out of sleeping entirely when Lance spoke.

"So which side do you want to take?" he made the question sound so casual like this meant nothing to him, like he wasn't about to combust on the spot.

And maybe it didn't mean anything to Lance. He comes from a big family, his siblings probably constantly slipped into his bed. Keith also caught him and Hunk napping together in the lounge, cuddled up. But Hunk is his best friend and Keith is...well he's not really anything. Sure, there's a reassurance now that Lance doesn't hate him, but is he really okay with sleeping together? He'll just have to do his best to appear as casual as he can. 

"Either one is fine." he mentally patted himself on the back for managing to keep his voice stable and totally casual. 

"Alright." Lance carefully slipped under the covers, taking the left side. 

Keith nervously took the right, keeping as close to the edge as possible, his back to Lance. There was a minute of silence where Keith had hoped Lance was knocked out immediately, but his hopes were shattered when the other boy broke through the silence.

"Just so you know, I sometimes snore so you can just kick me awake if that happens." 

"Mhm" was all Keith could manage as he felt Lance shift next to him. There was another moment of silence where all Keith could hear was his own racing heartbeat. 

Thoughts kept spinning in his head. Their second mind meld left Keith with a warm feeling in his stomach. He was happy Lance had trusted him with his insecurities and more than that, he was happy he could actually make him feel better. Keith wants to be someone Lance can rely on, someone he can come to when things get too much. He wanted Lance to think of him as a friend. If Keith couldn't have him as a partner, he wanted to at least have him as a friend.

He thought back to the training session with their team present when his mind got caught on a comment Hunk had made about Carlos and prom, and Lance. Before he could reign in his blabbering mouth the words had already come out.

"Who's Carlos?" Keith squeezed his eyes shut with embarrassment, hoping he said it too quietly for Lance to hear. 

Lance shifted and there was silence again. Keith sighed, relieved that Lance probably didn't hear him after all.

"A boy I liked." Lance said softly. Keith tensed up and he felt his chest tighten. A little bubble of hope surfaced before he popped it.

"You...like guys?" Keith asked carefully, turning around to face Lance despite the rapid beating in his chest.

Lance nodded. "I'm bi."

Keith was left momentarily breathless. He took a moment just to appreciate Lance in such a vulnerable state. His silhouette was beautifully framed by the dim blue light coming form the strips around the wall. His eyelashes looked impossibly long and his skin so soft. Keith traced his eyes down to Lance's lips, imagining how soft they'd be pressed against his own. How would his brown curls feel under his fingertips. Keith only realized he was staring when Lance spoke up.

"If me liking guys makes you uncomfortable, I can just sleep on the floor. I won't tell Allura." Lance sounded almost resigned. Like he expects Keith to be disgusted with him. 

"Lance, don't be ridiculous." Keith immediately jumped in. He had to make sure Lance feels safe with him. "I'm fine with you liking guys." There was a pause.

"I like guys, too. Exclusively." Keith said in almost a whisper. 

Though it was fairly dark, Keith could see surprise on Lance's face that quickly faded into a soft smile. Lance's smile always awoke a swarm of butterflies in his stomach. 

"Thank you for telling me." Lance whispered. Keith decided he wants to keep hearing Lance's hushed tone. Something about it was so intimate, like they were sharing secrets only meant for them.

"Thank you for trusting me with this." Keith whispered back. his own smile slowly spreading.

"I always trust you." Lance had never looked at him with such a fond expression before. That and the words he said made it feel like his heart was about to stop while his face rivalled the temperatures of the sun.

Lance leaned in slightly as if to get a better look at Keith's flustered face. Keith could feel the heat radiating from his body. He hated how easily that warmth seeped into his own skin, how he couldn't stop his thoughts from drifting to their hands close enough to touch if only he moved an inch. He knew he couldn't have this. But there's a tiny voice in the back of his mind telling him maybe. Maybe you can have this. 

Lance waited until Keith's breathing evened out, signalling he was asleep. He sighed at the view before him, one he thought he'd never get to see or, maybe, if he was lucky, he would have had this for real. They'd share a bed because Keith would want to, not because he had to. Lance gently moved a strand of loose hair away from Keith's eyes. Yeah, his imagination doesn't compare to the real thing. The only thought Lance has while looking at Keith in their bed was how beautiful he looked. His dark lashes rested against his cheek, his face smooth, unbothered by furrowed brows or the usual scowl. Keith's hair fanned out over his pillow and all Lance wanted to do was run his hands through it, wondering if Keith would hum with affection. He took his time to burn every single detail into his memory. 

Hurt tugged at his heart with a reminder of why he's next to him. Just some dumb training to beat a dumb creature threatening to eat a planet. But just for a bit, he could have the boy he likes next to him in the quiet of the night. Just for a bit Lance let himself pretend. 

Chapter Text

It's been a few days since they've begun their training. At first, Keith thought Allura just had an elaborate way of messing with him, but as time went on he noticed he'd started doing things in tune with Lance. They'd lift their spoons while eating at the same time, they'd automatically fall in step together while walking. They even became synchronized when brushing their teeth. Keith tries not to dwell too much on the domesticity of what is slowly becoming their routine. He had never spent this much time around Lance before. Now they do everything together. They go through their nightly routine together to go to bed together. The first thing Keith sees when he wakes up is Lance. Nestled in pillows and sheets, the, usually expressive face, relaxed and serene. Keith wonders what Lance dreams about to have such a soft expression. 

He longs to see him like this everyday. He wonders what it would be like for Lance to wake up next to him each morning with a sleepy smile and fondness in those piercing blue eyes. Keith imagines himself caressing Lance's cheek as he places chaste kisses on his forehead, his nose and finally his lips. Muttering lazy good mornings to each other, basking in the warmth. It's a dangerous game, but Keith let's himself imagine. He gets to experience a fraction of what it would be like. It's simultaneously a blessing and torture. A blessing because he gets to see an entirely new side to Lance, a more vulnerable side. Torture because he knows it will end and he won't ever be as close to Lance as he wants to be. The overwhelming feeling of want gets crushed by the reality that Keith has been allowed these softer moments because Lance is forced to. 

It has become harder to look at him. 

Despite Keith's personal feelings, they have training to do. 

They're all gathered back on the bridge as Allura explains what's next on the agenda. The rest of the team basically gets free time while Keith and Lance have to work together and it's apparent they're running out of activities to pass the time, tagging along to watch whatever the two paladins have to get through next. Keith is sure he and Lance have become this week's entertainment. 

"In order to perform the needed manoeuvre, you'll also need to strengthen the bond with your lions." 

Keith is somewhat relieved he won't be embarrassing himself dancing on the space DDR, as Lance called it. Though he feels like his bond with Red is strong as it is, so he can't imagine how much more bonding he can even do with her. 

Nevertheless, a few moments later he finds himself in Red's cockpit. Keith is settled in his pilot seat, gripping the controls tight. The familiar red glow of the console eases his nerves. It's not nearly as nerve-wracking as the mind meld. Red is his lion, even now he feels a comforting purr at the back of his head, this will be a lot easier than opening up to Lance one on one. His thoughts get interrupted by Allura's comm popping up.

"Once you've fully let in your lion into your consciousness, focus on feeling out the other's lion. Remember, keep your mind open. In order for the synchronization to work, you need to let your consciousness meld together. Once you and your lion are one, you’ll be able to link to other lions and their pilots. In this case, Keith, focus on Blue. Lance, once you meld, focus on Red."

"Copy that. Lance, you got all that?” Keith is relieved his nerves aren’t portrayed in his voice. Of course he'd have to connect to Lance again, what did he expect? 

"Got it." Lance replied, sounding assured of himself. 

“Cutting off communications now for no interference.”

Silence filled the cockpit. Keith took a steady breath to calm his racing heartbeat. He felt the purr of Red, trying to assure him. He slowly let in the foreign feeling probing at his mind. Images from Red's point of view flooded in. Her waiting in the Galra ship, seeing Keith for the first time, then her knowing she wants him to be her pilot. A familiar warmth enveloped him, he relaxed in his seat and sent out a similar surge of affection for her. 

As he looked out to the spread of stars in front of him, he felt his perspective shift. He was now looking through the eyes of his lion. Blue was just in the peripheral, floating carelessly in space. He wondered briefly how Lance is doing and how it will feel to be connected to him through such a distance. Red caught onto Keith's subtle longing and sent a wave of amusement through him. Keith grumbled something incoherent, though his embarrassment really said it all. Red's amusement only grew, but it was paired with a gentle reassurance. 

Keith felt a sudden foreign presence prodding. He startled a bit, but relaxed when Red hummed in his mind. He let in the visitor with a bit of hesitation. The presence slowly flooded his mind, enveloping it in a subtle feeling of lightness, like he was floating in water. A moment after that he felt a jolt of excitement burst through him and it wasn't hard to pinpoint it as Lance. Keith couldn't help the little laugh that escaped him, no doubt sending a wave of affection through the bond as the excitement quickly shifted into something warm. 

Needing a distraction, he pulled on his controls, sending Red through space and towards one of the moons they'd so unceremoniously crashed into at the start. Lance's face popped up, his signature grin gracing his face. The Blue lion followed quickly behind. 

"How cool is this? I get the image of what you're going to do before you do it!" Lance was bursting with excitement and an odd sort of awe. 

Keith tried to pretend like he didn't feel a similar exhilaration. The thing about the images Lance said was true, Keith saw how Lance will pull a risky move to overtake him in this race. With a grin on his face he intercepted, foiling Lance's plan. A faint ripple of annoyance flushed from Lance, quickly overridden by playfulness. They swirled around each other, taking dives and surging upwards like dolphins racing the waves. 

Keith realized he was actually having fun with all this training, with spending time with Lance. He'd somehow let himself forget that there's a war going on. And now that he remembered, guilt wrapped itself around his chest. He had let his guard down and let himself be distracted. What if this whole thing with the creature is a deliberate distraction? What if when they go down to the planet they rescued they get ambushed? It's already happened twice and both times they almost lost a team member. One time they almost lost Lance. He almost lost Lance. 

He knows it's probably just paranoia, but paranoia keeps you safe in war. Keith had been to careless lately, swept up in his feelings for Lance, enjoying the opportunity to get closer. When he could very easily lose him because of this carelessness. He could lose anyone of his new family. He felt angry with himself not only because he let himself slip away, but because he wanted it to last. It was a selfish desire in the wake of hundreds of civilizations suffering under Galra rule. But he wanted this light-heartedness to last. He wanted to be a teenager, not a soldier.

After another successful training session, they were allowed a bit of rest. Hunk went off to make everyone some snacks, Pidge tagging along no doubt to be the first to nab some. Shiro went off to train on his own while Allura and Coran handled communications with the Dopnolians about the situation, informing them of the current affairs. Keith sat not too far from him, wringing his hands with a hard look on his face. There was something about his posture that just seemed...off.

In fact, by the end of their time bonding with the lions, he'd felt a strange heaviness coming from Keith. He'd been quieter, more withdrawn.

Before Lance could ask Keith about it, Hunk and Pidge gathered back at the lounge. Lance tried to lighten the room with his usual antics, keeping the attention on him so the team won't bother Keith about his mood. Though he doubts any of them notice the changes in his demeanor like Lance does. For all they know that's just the usual scowl Keith wears. If it were a week earlier maybe Lance would've thought the same thing. But now he has the, what he feels is, privilege to know better. 

They spend a good amount of time playing strange alien board games, making up their own rules. He roped Keith into being on a team with him, hoping to distract him. Keith sat on one side of the table, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, an unreadable expression on his face. Pidge and Hunk were on the opposite side of the table, both laughing as they plotted their next moves, completely caught up in the game. Determined to see a smile on Keith's pretty face, Lance pulls out the big guns.

"I don't know about you, but I'm board out of my mind." Lance shined his best grin, lifting his eyebrows. Keith flicked his gaze toward him for a brief moment, his expression still serious but not entirely closed off.

The green and yellow paladins groaned in unison, having apparently come out of their concentration on plotting. Then Pidge and Hunk exchanged a look across the table, sensing Lance’s attempt at lightening the mood. Hunk couldn't help but chuckle.

"That's not gonna do it, buddy. Keith’s got a poker face that would make a brick wall jealous." 

Lance deflates a bit, but continues his bravado. "He just hasn't grown to appreciate fine humor, yet." He nudged Keith’s arm playfully, this time a little more persistent, hoping to spark something in him.

It worked, just barely. Keith’s lips quirked up ever so slightly, and Lance felt a small sense of triumph. He didn’t need much—just a crack in Keith’s armor, a sign that the wall he’d built up around himself was starting to come down. It was a win, even if it was a small one. The game continued, but Lance made sure to keep the banter flowing, drawing Keith back into the fun whenever he saw his teammate slipping back into that quiet, withdrawn state. He made sure to talk to Keith more than anyone else, throwing out playful comments and not-so-subtle jokes. Eventually he got a few small smiles and even a quiet chuckle. Lance's heart couldn't be more relieved.

They were in the heat of the game when Lance leaned in to whisper to Keith.

"If we win, let's make them dance on the space DDR machines." 

A wide grin spread across Keith's face and he closed his eyes, trying to hold in a laugh. Gaining his composure back, Keith leaned in, too. They were so close Lance could feel Keith's breath ghost on his lips, making his brain short-circuit. He almost didn't catch what Keith had told him.

"If they take the green circle, we can move our figure on the purple to red all the way across the board." 

"But then they'll take our guy on the yellow." Lance is surprised at himself for being able to form a coherent sentence, being so close to Keith. 

"Yeah, but then we can reach the black square on our next turn, making them sit out five turns." Keith's smile grew a little mischievous. He turned to look at Lance and his eyes grew wide, seemingly realizing how close they were, he jumped back. Lance tried to squash down the disappointment. 

Lance plastered on a grin of his own. "I like the way you think, Red." Lance didn't notice how Keith's expression softened at the nickname. 

When Hunk moved their figure to green, Lance and Keith shared a look of knowing smiles. Lance's heart did a flip at the little moment. They executed their plan and Lance got to boast in his friends' faces. The game didn't last long after that, with Keith and Lance staying ahead, a victory was guaranteed. When the last of the pieces fell on Pidge and Hunk's side, Lance let out a whoop.

"Boom, we win! That means you two" Lance said, pointing between the two losers. "will have to dance on the space DDR thing." 

"What?! That's basically torture!" Pidge groaned.

"I heard Hunk say he wanted to try it out anyway." Lance shrugged. 

"Uh, yeah, before I found out they electrocute you." Hunk's exasperation shone through in his words. 

"Just accept the loss, man." Lance patted Hunk on the shoulder in feign sympathy. 

Exasperated, Hunk and Pidge went off to find Allura and convince her to let them use the dancing pads. Though it's a show on its own, Keith stayed in the lounge. Lance was about to leave, when he turned back to ask Keith if he was sure he didn't want to tag along, and saw Keith closed in on himself - hugging his knees, head lowered. Carefully, Lance sat down next to him, like trying not to spook a wary cat.

"Hey, are you okay?" Lance asked tentatively.

Keith didn't answer right away, keeping his eyes on his hands, now fidgeting with his fingers. Lance didn't want to push. He knew Keith had a hard time opening up about anything. So he just waited. He'd keep him company at least, if he didn't want to speak. 

"I don't know...It's stupid." Keith sighed, running a hand over his face. "I know it's stupid, but I can't stop thinking about it."  his tone grew more frustrated.

"You know you can talk to me, right? It's not stupid if it's bothering you." Lance leaned forward, his voice softening with concern. 

Keith finally looked up at him. Lance's usual teasing grin was no where in sight, replaced with sincere concern and something vulnerable, something real. 

"I just keep thinking what if something bad happens while we're here dancing?" Keith almost wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of the statement. He felt himself wanting to unravel in front of Lance. Let him soothe all his worries with a soft smile and those sky-blue eyes.

"What if we kill that thing and when we go down to the planet we get attacked?" he feels his voice get more shaky. "Instead of staying prepared for that kind of thing I'm having fun..." Keith says the last word like it offends him.

Lance's heart sinks at the vulnerability in Keith's voice. He wants to reassure Keith, wants to wrap him in his arms and tell him he's safe. But he knows how rare it is for Keith to talk about these things. So he stays quiet, wanting to give him space.

"I let myself forget about all the bad shit that's happening out there. And I'm afraid I'll be too careless to protect any of you." Keith puts his head in his hands, struggling to keep his composure. Images of Lance's limp body bleeding out onto his white armour plaguing his mind. Lance is startled by the silent sob that escapes from the other boy. Without thinking, he wraps him in a sideways hug. It's a bit awkward, but he feels Keith melt into the touch anyway. 

"We're not your responsibility, Keith. We'll handle ourselves. It's okay to lose yourself in doing fun things, that's how you stay sane." Lance starts rubbing circles on Keith's back, just like his mamá used to do for him.

"I don't want to lose you...any of you." Keith lets out a shuddering breath. 

"You won't." Lance knows he can't promise that. They're soldiers, anything could happen to them. But he'll repeat those words as many times as it takes to make it real. He gently rests his head on Keith's. 

"Aren't you afraid?"

"I am." Lance pauses. "I'm afraid everyday. But that's why I make sure to enjoy everyday that we have. And you deserve to have time where you don't have to be afraid." 

Keith rests his head on Lance's shoulder. He lets his rigid walls soften. 

"I want this to last, but I'm afraid it won't." Keith's voice is slightly muffled, weak as he says it.

Lance's heart shatters all over again. He wants to single-handedly take on every enemy they have just so Keith could have a peace of mind. 

"There will be times where we have to get serious, but between that we can make time for things like this again." Lance's voice is soft and careful, but full of promise. 

Keith's hand grabs onto Lance's arm and he squeezes once, muttering "Thanks." 

"Anytime, Red." They stay in silence for a few moments before Lance breaks it. "Now, come on, let's go watch Hunk and Pidge wreck themselves." 

Keith pulls back, a smile back on his face and he nods. Oh, how Lance would love to move a stary strand out of Keith's face, revealing those indigo eyes. To cradle his face in his hands and whisper sweet reassurances to him, peppering with tender kisses. But he's already gotten more than he could've imagined getting. This is enough...

They both make their way out of the lounge in a comfortable silence.

After getting sufficient entertainment from torturing their friends, the two decided to call it a night. Returning to their shared room shouldn't feel so normal, so right, but it does. The soft hum of the ship’s engines filled the room, a steady lullaby that helped mask the weight of the day. They got ready for bed with little conversation. Lance noticed Keith was less closed in on himself, his shoulders no longer slumped with the weight of the world on them. 

They slid under the covers just like every other night before, this time facing each other. Keith huffed a content sigh. His eyes were hooded with sleep ready to take him in, but he was still looking at Lance. Lance almost dared to call his gaze fond. Lance wants to let him sleep, but because he cares more than he'd like to admit, he asks:

"How are you feeling?" It's a soft whisper, only meant for nights like this. 

Keith shrugs slightly as he averts his gaze. "Having you close helps." Keith's voice was uncharacteristically soft, almost shy, like he was afraid of saying it. 

Those words sent Lance's heart reeling. To hear those words from Keith made every little spark of hope burst into flames. For Keith to say that, Lance must've really done something good for the universe to bestow such a blessing on him. To not show his absolute giddy, Lance scrambles to say something light-hearted.

"Well, that's good 'cause we're pretty much stuck together for now." He chuckled to hide his reddening face. 

Lance watched Keith shift uncomfortably, his eyes looked almost sad. He gnawed on his lip, eyebrows furrowed. 

"Do you feel stuck with me?" Keith's tone makes Lance's heart seize up. He sounded so vulnerable. 

The question hung in the air. And Lance knew he had somehow said the wrong thing. He wanted to play it off casually, to not betray his feelings, but Keith was being honest about his. He should've done so in turn.

"No..." Lance says, completely dropping his playfulness. "I like spending time with you." He said it in the same tender whisper as his question, sincerity bleeding into every word. 

Keith's gaze flicked to Lance’s face, studying him for a moment before the tension in his body finally relaxed. Lance shifted, settling a little closer, his hand brushing lightly against Keith’s. It wasn’t anything intimate, just a gentle connection, a silent acknowledgment of the comfort they found in each other. Keith allowed himself to lean into it, his body instinctively seeking warmth.

"I like spending time with you, too." Keith muttered, his hand brushing against Lance’s once more.

The quiet of the night surrounded them, the hum of the ship lulling them into a peaceful silence. Lance’s voice broke through the stillness again, soft and barely audible.

"Goodnight, Keith." 

Keith snuggled into his pillow as he softly said "Night, Lance."

And just like that, they both drifted off to sleep, the weight of the universe a little lighter in the shared comfort of the night.

The day of the fight arrived. Lance was feeling assured, remembering how well he and Keith had worked together these past few days. He's gotten a lot form this experience, he got Keith of all people to open up to him. Maybe Lance should thank the Guttorp before killing it. He looked to Keith, who seemed determined to get on with the mission. Lance knows Keith had at least some fun throughout this whole ordeal. He would even go to say that they've grown closer. Though it's hard to say from Keith's expression if the sentiment is mutual, he felt it through his mind and in the quiet moments they shared. 

At Allura's dismissal, after the refresher of what exactly they have to do, they jogged over to their hangars and were out in their lions within a minute. The vastness of space stretched out around them, stars twinkling like distant jewels, but the beauty of it all was overshadowed by the enormous creature that loomed in front of them. It resembled a massive horseshoe crab with its outer shell, though its body was more serpent like. And it was no longer dormant. Awake and moving with resolve.

Lance gripped his controls tightly, narrowing his eyes on the target. The Guttorp was facing away from them, the centre of its chest hidden. They had to manoeuvre over the creature and cut off its path. With their new-formed bond, they didn't even need to utter a single word to cement the plan. Despite that, Keith's voice rang out through the comms.

"Ready, Lance?" Keith's voice had a flicker of trust in it, amplified by the feeling itself rippling through him.

"Born ready, Keith." Lance could feel a grin splitting his face. "Let's make this quick." 

They swerved around the creature, each from either side and reunited at the front of the beast. Its threatening jaws repeatedly clamped down. Lance’s pulse quickened, feeling the weight of the moment as his gaze locked on the serpentine beast. 

"Ready, big girl," Lance said softly to the Blue lion. "You and me, all the way."

Lance took a deep breath, his heart beating in sync with the thrum of his lion. He could almost feel Keith's heart beating in sync, too. They had done similar things before, coordinated strikes, but never something so delicate. He glanced at the Red lion, feeling Keith's presence steady and sure. This is it. We can do this. We have to do this.

They fired a string of shots at its head, making it convulse. If it wasn't entirely silent in space, it would've probably been shrieking. While rearing its head up, it revealed the weak spot they were aiming for. Without hesitation the two unleashed their beams. They collided in the center of the creature's enormous form. The air seemed to crackle with energy, the beams intertwining in a perfect, synchronized arc of light. Keith and Lance both tightened their grips, holding their Lions steady, not daring to break the connection. The energy from the beams reached their peak, and for a heartbeat, the universe seemed to freeze.

A sudden burst of light seeped through from the core as the creature continued to convulse. Then the creature's body disintegrated, an impressive explosion scattering parts of it through space. The force of the blast sent both lions flying back, resulting in a crash on one of the nearby moons. For a moment, all that remained was silence, the kind of silence that only followed the end of something so massive, so violent. Lance let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, the Blue lion purring beneath him as the tension in his body melted away. The beast was gone. They did it. 

What followed the relief was exhilaration. Lance whooped through the comm, earning a laugh from Keith. Then a sudden irritation form Keith poked at him like needles, quickly dissolving with the cackle booming like a freight train through the comm. Lance could've never guessed Keith could laugh like that. Just form that sound he wanted to burst out laughing too, though what he was supposed to be laughing at he wasn't sure. As if to answer his question, Keith spoke.

"Get off me, idiot." Keith said through a subsided chuckle. 

Lance took in his position, realizing somewhere along the way they crashed into each other, Lance now pinning the Red lion under his own. Lance scrambled to get off, his own laughter filling the cockpit. 

"Shit, sorry, Keith." He felt the last of the giggles die out on his lips, though the amusement still lingered. "Only we manage to perform the most badass takedown and still end up a mess afterward." 

"We make a good team." Keith said, warmth radiating from him, a feeling that makes Lance's cheeks grow red. "Don't forget it this time." Lance could practically hear the deadpan expression on Keith's face as he said that. 

Lance rolled his eyes, though he smiled. "I won't." And just because he's a little shit, he added, "I remember saying it first." Lance launched himself full speed towards the castle.

"Wha-What did you just say?!" Keith's exasperation was louder than his words as he chased after Lance. "When I catch you, you are so dead." 

"If you catch me." Lance displayed his cockiness in full, having gained some distance form Keith and his threats.

As it is, Red is faster and it took no time for Keith to catch up. They both entered the hangar. Not wanting to face consequences, Lance broke out into a sprint when he saw Keith coming right for him. For a good few minutes, they just ran around the hangar like kids playing tag. Lance sliding out of the way just before Keith could reach him, making the red paladin stumble. Lance couldn't contain his laughter, the joyous sound bouncing off the walls. Eventually, Keith joined him in the orchestra of playful joy. 

Tired from the mission and from all the running, Lance felt himself slow down, resigning to his fate as Keith barrelled toward him. They crashed onto the floor, mirroring their position on the moon, only this time Keith was on top. He sat up, straddling Lance's waist. That view alone made Lance's heart almost beat out of his chest, his face definitely rivalling Keith's lion in color. Keith's expression was soft, bits of laughter still clinging to his face, eyes slightly hooded, panting. Christ, Lance can't take it. 

"We should probably get to the bridge and Allura...and all that." Lance stuttered out, knowing he might do something stupid if they stay in this position, something like kiss the boy on top of him.

Keith just looked at him for a moment that felt like forever, smile still present, teeth no longer showing. He tapped Lance lightly on his cheek with his fist before getting up. He held out his hand to Lance. Lance took it, needing the support, not trusting his legs right now. Infinitely grateful for the armour that covered a certain situation downstairs.

"Okay, let's go." Keith held onto his hand longer than he needed to. Lance wasn't just imagining it, right? 

When he did actually let go, Lance missed the contact instantly. He watched as Keith walked out of the room. After gathering himself up, Lance followed him out.

On the bridge, they were met with cheers form their team. Hunk made his way to Lance, a friendly, hearty pat on the back from his friend nearly making him topple over. 

"Glad you two are finally working together." Hunk said, an ever-present smile spread wide.

"Yeah..." Lance glanced at Keith, who was getting his congrats from Shiro, and sighed wistfully. "Me too."

Lance wonders if their good streak can last. What their relationship has developed into is nice. He should've discarded that rivalry a long time ago. Especially when he could be making Keith laugh instead of scowl. He wants to continue to make bad jokes and have Keith roll his eyes while secretly biting back a smile. Because he sees the way his lips twitch just the slightest bit upwards when Lance says something that makes everyone else on the team groan. 

He wonders if that softness of their shared nights could become a regular thing. Maybe Keith will look at him like that again, the way he did at the hangar. And maybe at some point Lance will have enough courage, or a lack of caution to finally feel Keith's lips on his. And maybe Keith will kiss him back. This time he doesn't swat the thought away, this time he lets them stay.

He's broken out of his thoughts by Allura.

"The people of Dopnol send their biggest gratitude and they've invited us to attend a ball in Voltron's honour." Allura announced with a small smile. 

Lance's mood instantly lifts. Fancy clothing, swelling music, ballroom dancing. And probably a delicious banquet. All elements to make a great night. A perfect end to a successful mission.

The Dopnolians had sent each of them an outfit to wear to the ball. If it was up to Keith, they'd all be going planet side wearing their armour, but Allura shot down that idea pretty quickly. So Keith had his outfit laid out on his bed. It was weird being in his own room after so long. He just didn't want to change in the room he shared with Lance, in case this outfit turned out to be worse than what Allura had forced them to wear. At least he would look stupid in the privacy of his own room.

The shirt was made from a deep scarlet fabric. The material had a subtle metallic sheen to it, though it rippled under his touch like the licks of a flame, the color shifted with the light between the scarlet and a brighter red, hints of gold shimmering at just the right angle. The jacket was of a more solid material, it was sharp and structured, with clean lines that traced the contours of his shoulders and chest. It's lapels were threaded with gold, complimenting the crimson. It wasn’t over-the-top; instead, it had a quiet sophistication. 

His pants were solid black in contrast to the screaming reds. The material a mix between the jacket and the shirt, flowy, yet keeping its form. When Keith got dressed and took a look in the mirror, he wasn't too disappointed. It was definitely not his style, but he didn't look like a walking atrocity. Maybe he'd actually be able to survive the evening. 

He was the last one to get ready. Keith had told Allura to go ahead without him. She wasn't pleased, but said she trusted him not to ditch the event. And he wouldn't have ditched, it was just in case he decided to go with his armour, knowing Allura wouldn't get on his ass about it while already being at the ball. 

After he left the castle, a guide was waiting for him to take him to the ball. It wasn't long before they arrived.

The ballroom is unlike any he's ever seen. 

The ceiling above was vast, seemingly stretching into infinity. It wasn’t solid but rather a translucent dome of shimmering light, flickering with distant stars and ethereal clouds that moved lazily, giving the illusion of being in deep space. Soft, bioluminescent tendrils hung down from the ceiling, casting gentle light on the guests below. They swayed in time with the music, their delicate movements synchronizing with the beat, as if the very room itself was alive with rhythm.

The floor beneath was smooth and reflective, almost liquid in texture, like a polished pool of glass. When dancers glided across it, their movements seemed to leave shimmering trails, like stardust or the light of faraway galaxies being captured and held for just a fleeting moment. The surface changed as dancers moved, shifting in subtle patterns that seemed to echo the music’s pulse—a fluid, organic connection between the dancers and the environment. 

He scanned the room, trying to make himself blend into the shadows. His usual sense of discomfort in such lavish settings hadn’t changed. He’d never been a fan of events like these. But then, as his eyes wandered across the crowd, they landed on a figure standing near the entranceway.

Lance.

Keith's breath caught in his throat.

Lance stood there, looking nothing like the cocky, carefree sharpshooter that Keith was so used to seeing. His attire was crafted from an iridescent, liquid-like fabric that seemed to shimmer with every movement, shifting between shades of deep ocean blue, teal, and silver. The material flowed smoothly, wrapping around his form with a graceful fluidity that echoed the vibrant, shifting walls of the ballroom. The fabric hugged his torso in a way that enhanced his build, yet it didn’t restrict his movement. Instead, it seemed to breathe with him, flowing like water as he moved, giving him an ethereal, weightless quality. 

His hair, usually messy and tousled in that signature way, had been styled back neatly, with just enough of a tousled wave to make it look deliberate, and the soft glow from the room made his features seem almost otherworldly. His sharp jawline, his high cheekbones, and the way his lips curled into a smile when someone addressed him... Keith found himself frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. He watched as Lance exchanged a few words with someone nearby, his smile easy, his laughter light, but Keith couldn't help noticing the way Lance’s eyes seemed to light up whenever he talked. He always had this way of lighting up a room without even trying, and right now, under the soft glow of the ballroom lights, he looked downright divine.

Lance turned, his eyes sweeping over the room before they landed on Keith. For a moment, there was a flash of something. Recognition, surprise, and then that signature mischievous grin spread across Lance’s face as he took a few steps toward Keith, effortlessly making his way through the crowd, like he belonged here, like he was the star of the show. As he got close, Keith noticed a faint blush across his cheeks. 

"It’s a slow dance, and you’re still standing over here like it’s a trap." Lance said with his usual playful tone. 

"I guess it's not a trap. It's just... after all that dancing while training, we're rewarded with...more dancing." Keith shook his head. 

"You can hardly call that dancing." Lance rolled his eyes, though it was clear none of the annoyance was actually present. "Come on, I'll show you a real dance." 

Lance held out his hand, offering it to Keith with a soft smile, the blush from earlier returning. And if Keith wasn't too busy adoring that expression he would have noticed how Lance's hand shook slightly. Keith gently places his hand into Lances and revels in the feeling of his touch. He knows his face is spread wide with a smile, but Lance is looking at him like...like he means something. And Keith wants to believe it's true so much, he throws caution to the wind and lets himself be swept away by this beautiful and soft boy in front of him.

Lance leads them through the crowd, past the dancefloor and into the open terrace overlooking a garden. The music spills out into the night, softly cradling the pair. 

"I thought you wouldn't appreciate an audience." Lance says as he puts his free hand on Keith's waist, he does it so gently, Keith almost doesn't feel it. 

It's true, Keith feels more at ease being somewhere quiet. Although his heart still races at the thought that Lance considered that. Since when has he known him so well? 

"Thanks." is all he can muster to not show how his voice trembles with nervousness. 

Lance's grip on his waist becomes more solid and Keith melts into the touch. Keith put his hand on Lance's shoulder carefully. The distance between them was close, but not too close, just enough to feel the warmth of the other’s presence, the subtle, unspoken tension that hung in the air. They started swaying slowly, Keith kept looking down at his feet to make sure he doesn't step on Lance he tells himself, even though he has no problem following him after all that training. It's just an excuse to hide his reddening face. 

"Relax, you're doing great." Lance chuckled, daring to pull Keith a little closer. Their chests almost touching now. Keith tightens his grip on Lance's hand.  

"You know, I actually really enjoyed these past few days with you..." Lance swallowed hard.

For just this moment, everything else faded away—the mission, the battles, the weight of responsibility. And it was just the two of them, moving slowly in the glow of the moon. Keith looked up to find Lance already looking at him with fondness in his eyes. Keith would spend a lifetime gathering every star, bottling every galaxy just to give it to Lance if it meant he'd keep looking at him like that. 

"Lance..." and the confession is there, in the way he says his name. 

Keith feels a knot in his throat choking him. Lance’s wide, blue eyes bore into him like lasers. He really hopes he isn't imagining the soft looks Lance gives him because all he wants to do right now is kiss him. They had fought together, bickered, laughed, and survived endless battles, but something in the air between them now felt different. More fragile. More precious. 

Keith forgets every thought telling him to be cautious. How can he be with Lance pressed so close to him, looking at him like he's the only precious thing to him? Keith’s hand found its way to the back of Lance’s neck, his fingers gently tracing the curve of his jawline. There was a moment of hesitation, a lingering question hanging in the air between them. Lance met his eyes again, a look of anticipation plastered on his face. Keith tilted his head slightly, asking for permission. Lance’s breath caught in his throat, and in that moment, the universe seemed to hold its breath too. 

"Just kiss me..."Lance whispered, afraid to break the moment. Keith could feel the words on his lips.

Without another word, Keith closed the gap. The kiss was soft and tentative, it made Keith's world stop as his heart reeled. It was a quiet confession, a release of everything he had been holding in for so long. The feeling of Lance's lips on his own is far better than anything he could have imagined. He pulled away, afraid of doing too much. Lance immediately pulled him back in, his hands now tangled in Keith's hair. The second kiss is deeper, but just as gentle. It's as if Lance is taking his turn to confess. Their lips slot perfectly together, moving with a desperate need. They pulled apart gain, this time lingering close, foreheads touching. 

"I like you so much, Keith." Lance almost sighed the words, his voice so quiet. Keith could feel the words settle into his chest, his heart hammering again.

Keith takes Lance by the hand, fingers intertwined, and kisses his knuckles. He lets his lips linger on his hand, committing the warmth to memory. 

"I like you, too. So much..." Keith caressed Lance's cheek with his thumb because he's wanted to do that for so long and now he can. 

A wide smile spreads on Lance's face. He breathes a laugh almost in disbelief.

"You look so beautiful." Keith feels himself smile as Lance blushes under his gaze.

"Are you kidding? When I saw you back there I was just about ready to throw myself at your feet." Lance retorts, both of them breaking out in soft laughter. Lance tucks a strand of hair behind Keith's ear, letting his touch linger. 

Keith doesn't know how to reply other than to press his lips against Lance's. Lance returned the kiss with equal eagerness. When they pulled away from the kiss, Lance wrapped his arms around Keith's waist, pulling him into a hug. Keith returned the embrace, burying his face in the crook of Lance's neck. They started slowly swaying to the music again. No one but the stars watching them. 

Keith thought back to all those mornings together, excited to finally have that tenderness be real. Be something he would get used to, but would cherish all the same. Right now he's just content to be in Lance's arms, basking in his warmth.